Courtenay secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?

Courtenay, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes, in Courtenay zones that list them. A secondary suite (inside the home) needs a building permit. A detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU, such as a garden suite or carriage house) is allowed, one per property, and also needs a building permit. Check your zone first.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowed	Yes, as accessory to a detached single dwelling or duplex, in zones that list it: R-SSMUH, R-1A, R-3, R-3A, R-3B, R-4, R-4A, R-4B, RM-1, MH-1, MU-1, C-1, A-1 and some CD zones. A suite is a separate dwelling unit inside the principal dwelling. No subdivision.Zoning Bylaw No. 3203, section 6.18 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), ss. 6.18.1(1), 8.1.11; definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Secondary suite(s) and accessory dwelling unit(s)shall be permitted as accessory to a detached single residential dwelling or duplex dwelling on a lot, occupied or intended to be occupied as a single residence “secondary suite” means a separate dwelling unit located within the principal dwelling. Townhouse, secondary suite, ADU Single residential, secondary suite, no more than one (1) secondary suite or one (1) accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted as accessory to a single residential unit or duplex dwelling on a lot that is not connected to community water or sewer services. Secondary Suite, ADU Secondary suite(s) and accessory dwelling unit(s)shall be permitted as accessory to a detached
Coach house or garden suite allowed	Yes: one accessory dwelling unit (ADU, such as a garden suite, carriage house or garage suite) per property, in zones that list it (for example R-SSMUH and R-1A). It must be detached, on a foundation and smaller than the main home; max height 6.5 m unless the zone says otherwise. It cannot be strata-titled or subdivided.Accessory dwelling unit (ADU), Eligibility; units; Zoning Bylaw No. 3203, section 6.18 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), s. 6.18.1(3) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Be detached from the primary home and on a foundation Be smaller than the primary home You cannot build more than one ADU ADUs cannot be strata-titled or subdivided. An accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 6.5 m in height, unless otherwise specified in the development regulations of a particular zone. Townhouse, secondary suite, ADU
Limits	Minimum floor area: 30 m² studio, 45 m² one-bedroom, 65 m² two-bedroom, 85 m² three-bedroom. The City's suite checklist defines a suite as under 40% of the building's habitable floor space. At least 15 m² of private amenity space per suite or ADU. No owner-occupancy rule found.Sources differ: Conflict on outdoor space: the ADU page says at least 20 m² for ADU residents; Zoning Bylaw s. 6.18.1(5) says 15 m². Bylaw followed. Searched the Zoning Bylaw for 'owner' near suite rules and found no owner-occupancy requirement for secondary suites or ADUs (it applies only to short-term rental).Zoning Bylaw No. 3203, section 6.18 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), s. 6.18.1(2), (5); Requirements for Secondary Suites (checklist, PDF), Definition; Accessory dwelling unit (ADU), Other requirements · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 30.0 m2 for a studio unit; 45.0 m2 for a one-bedroom unit: 65.0 m2 for a two-bedroom unit; and 85.0 m² for a three-bedroom unit. a minimum area of 15 m² of private amenity space shall be provided per dwelling unit unless otherwise specified in this Bylaw. having a floor space less than 40% of the habitable floor space of the building; At least 20 m² of private outdoor space is required for ADU residents
Parking	Accessory dwelling unit: 1 space per dwelling unit. Single dwelling unit or duplex: 2 spaces per dwelling unit, or 1 per dwelling unit in R-SSMUH. The parking table has no separate line for secondary suites.Zoning Bylaw No. 3203, section 6.18 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), Division 7, parking table; Accessory dwelling unit (ADU), Other requirements · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Accessory Dwelling Unit 1 space per dwelling unit Single dwelling unit or duplex (Not 2 per dwelling unit R-SSMUH 1 space per dwelling unit Parking: At least one off-street parking space must be provided
Permits	A building permit is required for a secondary suite (approved before installation). An ADU also needs a building permit and, depending on location, a development permit (e.g. DPA-2 if it is the third or fourth unit, DPA-3 next to the ALR, DPA-4 environmentally sensitive areas, DPA-5 slopes of 20% or more), and a variance if zoning is not met.Secondary suites, Building permit; Accessory dwelling unit (ADU), What permits will I need? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Yes. A building permit application must be applied for and approved by a City of Courtenay Building Official for a secondary suite prior to installation. Required if the ADU will be the third or fourth housing unit on your property. Required if your property is next to Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) or other agricultural lands. Required if your property includes a slope equal to or greater than 20%. you must apply for a variance.
Bylaw	Zoning Bylaw No. 3203, 2026 and Building Bylaw No. 3114Zoning Bylaw No. 3203, section 6.18 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), Part 18, s. 6.18.1; Building Bylaw No. 3114 (consolidated October 2025, PDF), s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Part 18 Secondary Suites and Accessory Dwelling Units This bylaw may be cited as “Building Bylaw No. 3114”.

How it works

In Zoning Bylaw No. 3203, a secondary suite is a separate dwelling unit inside a detached single dwelling or duplex, allowed in zones that list it (including R-SSMUH, R-1A, R-3, R-4, RM-1, MH-1, MU-1, C-1 and A-1, and some CD zones). A suite cannot be subdivided. A detached ADU must be on a foundation and smaller than the main home, and cannot be strata-titled or subdivided. A property may have one ADU plus one secondary suite.

Steps

Check your zone on CourtenayMap and in the bylaw's permitted uses.
Ask Planning whether you also need a development permit or variance (for example, when an ADU does not meet zoning, or in some development permit areas).
Prepare drawings and submit the online building permit application. A suite needs approval before installation.
Book inspections once the permit is issued.

Good to know

Minimum floor area per unit: 30 m² studio, 45 m² one-bedroom, 65 m² two-bedroom, 85 m² three-bedroom. The City's checklist defines a suite as under 40% of the building's habitable floor space.
Private outdoor space of at least 15 m² per suite or ADU under the bylaw. The ADU page says 20 m²; confirm with Planning.
ADU height is 6.5 m maximum unless the zone says otherwise.
Parking: 1 space per ADU; the parking table has no separate line for secondary suites.
Do not rent an unauthorized suite until its building permit is finalized.
The bylaw does not state an owner-occupancy rule for suites or ADUs.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Comox · Cumberland · Powell River · Campbell River · Port Alberni · Qualicum Beach

Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Secondary suites, City of Courtenay (read 2026-11-05)
Accessory dwelling unit (ADU), City of Courtenay (read 2026-11-05)
Requirements for Secondary Suites (checklist, PDF), City of Courtenay (read 2026-11-05)
Zoning Bylaw No. 3203, section 6.18 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), City of Courtenay (read 2026-11-05)
Building Bylaw No. 3114 (consolidated October 2025, PDF), City of Courtenay (read 2026-11-05)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.