Delta secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?

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

Short answer

Yes. In the City of Delta a secondary suite is allowed with a single detached house or each side of a duplex, and a garden suite or coach house is allowed too, within unit limits set by lot size. A building permit is required. The suite rental permit ended April 8, 2024, but zoning still requires an occupancy permit.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowed	Yes, as an accessory use to a single detached dwelling (RS zones, for example) and to each duplex dwelling unit, one per dwelling. Delta says suites are permitted in most single detached houses. Not allowed in an attic. A covenant on title can prohibit one.Secondary Suites, Secondary Suites page; Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, sections 6.1.8 and 8.2, s. 6.1.8(b); 11.10.3; Development Considerations, Development Considerations, Restrictive Covenants · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Secondary suites must meet the regulations of Delta's Zoning Bylaw and the BC Building Code, but are permitted in most single detached houses in Delta. not more than one secondary suite is permitted in each single detached no part of a secondary suite shall be located in an attic of the single detached Secondary suite, accessory to a single detached dwelling include building design, prohibition of secondary suites, floodproofing requirements
Coach house or garden suite allowed	Yes: a garden suite or coach house (maximum two detached suites per lot) where a single detached or duplex dwelling is permitted. Outside the Urban Containment Boundary and the ALR: one garden suite or one coach house plus one secondary suite. Subject to unit caps and the building rules in the limits row.Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, sections 6.1.8 and 8.2, s. 6.1.2(h); Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing, Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Detached accessory dwelling units, maximum of two per lot. a maximum of one single detached dwelling, one secondary suite and either one garden suite or one coach house Garden suite and/or coach house (maximum of two)
Limits	Inside the Urban Containment Boundary (not A1): 3 units per lot up to 280 m², 4 over 280 m², 6 over 280 m² in the Frequent Transit Area. Each suite under 50% of the house floor area (excluding attached garage). Garden suite 1.5 storeys, coach house 2. Suites cannot be strata-titled or sold.Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, sections 6.1.8 and 8.2, s. 6.1.2(g), 6.1.8; Secondary Suites, Secondary Suites page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording On a lot less than or equal to 280 m2, a maximum of three dwelling units are On a lot greater than 280 m2, a maximum of four dwelling units are permitted. a maximum of six dwelling units are permitted. shall be less than 50% of the gross On any lot within the Urban Containment Boundary, except when zoned A1, where the Secondary suites cannot be strata-titled or sold, but can be used for family or as long term rental units.
Parking	One space per suite, but none is required for a suite of 33 m² or less or on lots shaded in the Frequent Transit Area map (Schedule F; near Scott Road). A notice showing where the suite's space is must be posted inside the suite.Sources differ: The page says 'smaller than 33 m²'; the zoning bylaw says 'less than or equal to 33 m²'. Used the bylaw. The one-space rate is in the s. 8.4.2 table (single detached, coach house, garden suite, secondary suite: 1 space per dwelling unit).Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, sections 6.1.8 and 8.2, s. 8.2.2, 8.2.3, 8.2.6; Secondary Suites, Secondary Suites page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No parking spaces are required for an accessory dwelling unit with gross floor area less than or equal to 33 m2. dwelling units on lots shaded in Schedule F. Every secondary suite must be provided with an on-site parking space. However, units smaller than 33 m2 (~355 ft2) or within 400 m of frequent transit on Scott Road are not required to have parking.
Permits	A building permit through Delta Online is required. Delta stopped requiring Secondary Suite Rental Permits on April 8, 2024. The zoning bylaw says a suite may not be used or advertised for rent without an accessory dwelling unit occupancy permit. No rezoning or development permit is needed if the Zoning Bylaw is met.Sources differ: Unclear how the zoning bylaw's 'accessory dwelling unit occupancy permit' relates to the dropped 'rental permit'; confirm with the Application Centre. Steep slopes, streams and covenants can add requirements. Properties with a suite must have a water meter.Secondary Suites, Secondary Suites page; Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, sections 6.1.8 and 8.2, s. 6.1.8(a)(iii); Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing, Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording All applications to install a secondary suite will require a building permit issued through the Development Department. We no longer require or issue Secondary Suite Rental Permits - as of April 8, 2024. a valid accessory dwelling unit occupancy permit has been issued for such can be constructed without the need for rezoning or a development permit
Bylaw	Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (s. 6.1.8 Accessory Dwelling Units; s. 8.2 parking) and Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, sections 6.1.8 and 8.2, s. 6.1.8; Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021, title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 6.1.8 ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021

How it works

The City of Delta allows small-scale multi-unit housing without rezoning or a development permit if the Zoning Bylaw No. 7600 is met. A secondary suite is allowed as an accessory use to a single detached dwelling, or to each duplex dwelling unit, one per dwelling; Delta says suites are permitted in most single detached houses. A garden suite or coach house is also allowed where a single detached or duplex dwelling is permitted (a maximum of two detached suites per lot). A covenant on title can prohibit a suite, and steep slopes or streams can add requirements.

Steps

Check your zoning, lot size and covenants on DeltaMap and your land title.
For a garden suite or coach house, optionally book the free ADU Concierge (ADU@delta.ca, 604-946-3380) to check your lot.
Have plans prepared that meet the Zoning Bylaw and BC Building Code.
Apply for a building permit on Delta Online.
Before the suite is rented or advertised for rent, make sure you have the accessory dwelling unit occupancy permit (see below).

Good to know

Permits: Delta stopped requiring Secondary Suite Rental Permits on April 8, 2024. The zoning bylaw (s. 6.1.8) still says a suite may not be used or advertised for rent without a valid accessory dwelling unit occupancy permit. Ask the Application Centre how this works in practice.
Unit limits inside the Urban Containment Boundary (not A1): 3 units per lot up to 280 m², 4 over 280 m², and 6 over 280 m² in the Frequent Transit Area. Outside it and the ALR: one garden suite or one coach house, plus one secondary suite.
Each suite must be under 50% of the house floor area (excluding an attached garage), and cannot be in an attic. A suite is not allowed if the house has boarders or a community care facility.
Garden suite: 1.5 storeys, up to 4 m to mid-roof or 5.5 m to ridge. Coach house: 2 storeys, up to 6.75 m or 8 m. Both need 1.5 m side and rear setbacks, no basement or roof deck, and may be no closer to the front lot line than the house's front face.
Parking: one space per suite. None is required for a suite of 33 m² or less, or on lots in the Frequent Transit Area map (Schedule F, near Scott Road). A notice showing the suite's space must be posted inside the suite.
Suites cannot be strata-titled or sold. A water meter is required.
Report unauthorized suites to Property Use & Compliance, 604-946-3340.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Richmond · Vancouver · Burnaby · White Rock · New Westminster · Surrey

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

Sources

Secondary Suites, City of Delta (read 2026-11-05)
Coach Houses and Garden Suites, City of Delta (read 2026-11-05)
Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing, City of Delta (read 2026-11-05)
Development Considerations, City of Delta (read 2026-11-05)
Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, sections 6.1.8 and 8.2 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)

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