{"title":"Fort St. John secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/fort-st-john","name":"Fort St. John","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Fort St. John","url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca"},"short_answer":"Fort St. John allows one secondary suite per house, and up to two detached suites (carriage houses) in the R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-4 and R-4A zones, but only in zones whose use list includes them. Check your zone first. Suites must meet the BC Building Code and need a City business licence.","aliases":["basement suite fort st john","legal suite","carriage house","detached suite","illegal suite"],"cost":"Building permit fees apply (see the building-permit-fees answer). A suite needs a City business licence ($75). A $200 City inspection fee may apply.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-787-8150"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall","value":"10631 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC V1J 3Z5","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Secondary and Detached Suites page","url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/business-building-and-development/housing/secondary-suites"},{"title":"Secondary Suites Brochure (PDF)","url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/secondary-suites-brochure"},{"title":"Enforcement of Illegal Suites","url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/business-building-and-development/housing/secondary-suites/enforcement-illegal-suites"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2470, 2019 (PDF)","url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Fort St. John building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Fort St. John zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/taylor","name":"Taylor","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/dawson-creek","name":"Dawson Creek","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/pouce-coupe","name":"Pouce Coupe","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hudsons-hope","name":"Hudson's Hope","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chetwynd","name":"Chetwynd","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/tumbler-ridge","name":"Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/secondary-suite/"}],"topic":{"title":"Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite/"},"facts":{"suite_allowed":{"label":"Secondary suite allowed","value":"Where a zone's use list includes it: A-1, R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-4, R-4A, RM-1 and RM-2 (not R-3, RM-3 or RM-4), when a single-family dwelling or duplex is the principal dwelling. One suite per principal dwelling; not subdivided or strata-titled; not inside a detached suite.","short":"Yes, in zones that list it (A-1, R-1, R-2 etc.)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2470, 2019 (PDF, s. 4.20 and 4.21)","section":"s. 4.20.1","quotes":["Secondary Suites are permitted in all residential zones when a single family dwelling or","b. no more than one Secondary Suite is permitted per principal dwelling;","e. Secondary Suites shall not be subdivided or strata-titled; and","f. Secondary suites are not permitted in detached suites."]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/business-building-and-development/housing/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary and Detached Suites, City of Fort St. John","section":"Secondary and Detached Suites page","quotes":["suites are now permitted within most residential zones"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Where a zone's use list includes it (A-1, R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-4, R-4A, RM-1, RM-2), on a parcel with a principal dwelling, inside an accessory building. No more than two per parcel in R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-4 and R-4A. Must meet BC Building Code.","short":"Yes, in zones listing it, in accessory building","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2470, 2019 (PDF, s. 4.20 and 4.21)","section":"s. 4.21.1","quotes":["no more than two Detached Suites are permitted on a parcel in the R1, R-1A, R-2,","b. Detached Suites are only permitted on parcels which contain a principal dwelling;","c. a Detached Suite is permitted within an Accessory Building;","d. the Detached Suite must meet BC Building Code requirements."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Secondary suite floor area at most the lesser of 90 m² or 40% of the principal dwelling's habitable floor area. One secondary suite per dwelling. Up to two detached suites in R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-4 and R-4A. R-1 density is up to 4 dwelling units per parcel on municipal services.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2470, 2019 (PDF, s. 4.20 and 4.21)","section":"s. 4.20.1(c)","quotes":["c. the maximum floor area of a Secondary Suite must not exceed the lesser of 90 m 2 or","40% of the habitable floor area of the principal dwelling unit;"]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2470, 2019 (PDF, s. 4.20 and 4.21)","section":"R-1 Table 7","quotes":["4 dwelling units on a parcel","connected to municipal services"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"1 space per bedroom in the suite, in addition to the spaces required for the principal dwelling.","short":"1 space per bedroom, plus principal dwelling","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2470, 2019 (PDF, s. 4.20 and 4.21)","section":"s. 5.8 parking table","quotes":["Secondary or Detached Suite","1 space per bedroom in the suite in addition to"]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/secondary-suites-brochure","title":"Secondary Suites brochure (PDF), City of Fort St. John","section":"Brochure","quotes":["One parking space is provided on the parcel per"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is needed to build or change a building's use (Building Bylaw s. 17), and the suite must meet the BC Building Code. A secondary suite also needs a City business licence ($75). A development permit is needed only in a designated Development Permit Area. A City inspection fee of $200 may apply.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024 (PDF)","section":"s. 17","quotes":["change the use or occupancy of any building or structure or plumbing system, including excavation or other work related to construction unless:"]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/business-licence-bylaw","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021 (PDF)","section":"s. 7.8","quotes":["Secondary Suites shall be permitted in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw and all","homeowners with Secondary Suites must comply with the regulations in the Zoning","Secondary Suite  $75.00"]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/business-building-and-development/development/development-applications","title":"Development Applications, City of Fort St. John","section":"Development Permits","quotes":["You need to apply for a Development Permit if:","You are located in a designated Development Permit Area."]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/secondary-suites-brochure","title":"Secondary Suites brochure (PDF), City of Fort St. John","section":"Brochure","quotes":["who will verify the suite meets BC Building Code","($200 fee may apply)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2470, 2019 (s. 4.20 and 4.21); Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021 (s. 7.8); Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2470, 2019 (PDF, s. 4.20 and 4.21)","section":"s. 4.20","quotes":["c. must not exceed 40% of the principal buildings floor area or 90 m2, whichever is less. This 4.20 Secondary Suites section","City of Fort St. John - Zoning Bylaw","Zoning Bylaw No. 2470, 2019 (Consolidated Version) This consolidated Version includes the following"]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/business-licence-bylaw","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021 (PDF)","section":"cover","quotes":["BYLAW NO. 2563, 2021"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder [Zoning Bylaw 2470, 2019](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw) (s. 4.20 and 4.21), a secondary suite is allowed where a zone's use list includes it: A-1, R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-4, R-4A, RM-1 and RM-2, when a single-family dwelling or duplex is the principal dwelling. It is not allowed in R-3, RM-3 or RM-4. A detached suite goes inside an accessory building on a parcel with a principal dwelling, in the same zones.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Contact Development Services to confirm your zone and what is allowed.\n2. A building permit is needed to build or change a building's use, and the suite must meet the BC Building Code. Apply with plans showing the suite.\n3. Provide parking: one space per bedroom in the suite, in addition to the spaces for the main dwelling.\n4. Get a City business licence for the suite ($75) and book inspections through Planning and Engineering (250-787-8150).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Limits: a secondary suite is at most the lesser of 90 m² or 40% of the principal dwelling's habitable floor area. There is one per principal dwelling. It cannot be subdivided or strata-titled or sit inside a detached suite.\n- Up to two detached suites are allowed per parcel in R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-4 and R-4A. R-1 allows up to 4 dwelling units per parcel on municipal services.\n- A development permit is needed only in a designated Development Permit Area.\n- The Fees and Charges Bylaw lists a $200 suite inspection fee and a $400 charge on title.\n- The City's page says \"most residential zones\" while the bylaw lists the zones above. Check the zone list for your parcel.\n- The Zoning Bylaw does not state an owner-occupancy requirement. The City's brochure says there are no boarders or bed and breakfast being operated.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/business-building-and-development/housing/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary and Detached Suites, City of Fort St. John","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2470, 2019 (PDF, s. 4.20 and 4.21)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/secondary-suites-brochure","title":"Secondary Suites brochure (PDF), City of Fort St. John","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/business-licence-bylaw","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/business-building-and-development/development/development-applications","title":"Development Applications, City of Fort St. John","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/secondary-suite.json"}}