---
title: Fruitvale secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Fruitvale?"
place: Fruitvale, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/fruitvale
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Village of Fruitvale
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/secondary-suite.json"
---

# Fruitvale secondary suite and carriage house rules

**Question:** Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Fruitvale?

**Short answer:** In Fruitvale a secondary suite inside a single detached house is allowed in the RLP 1, RR1, RU1 and RU2 zones, and a separate accessory suite may be allowed in RLP 1, RR1 and RU1. Each needs 2 extra parking spaces, and a building permit is required for the work.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Fruitvale, https://fruitvale.ca)  
**Cost:** Building permit fees apply. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** Not stated by the Village.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 1947 Beaver Street, Fruitvale, BC V0G 1L0 (Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Phone: Village Office, 250-367-7551
- Email: Village Office, info@village.fruitvale.bc.ca
- Phone: RDKB Building Officials, Trail, 250-368-0222 (Office: 202 - 843 Rossland Ave, Trail, BC V1R 4S8.)

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** Secondary suites (inside a single detached house) are a secondary use in RLP 1, RR1, RU1 and RU2 zones. Only in a new or converted single detached house; one per principal dwelling; no strata titling; not with lodgers, a bed and breakfast or a group home. Not listed as a use in the multiple-housing, commercial or other zones read.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated, ss. 10.3, 14.1.3, 14.2.3](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/846-Zoning-Bylaw-Final-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Secondary suites, when permitted, are to be located only in a new or converted single" … "d) secondary suite within single dwelling housing" … "No more than one secondary suite shall be permitted per principal dwelling unit."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated, s. 10.3.6](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/846-Zoning-Bylaw-Final-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A secondary suite is not permitted in conjunction with lodgers, bed and breakfast"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** Accessory suites (in a separate accessory building) may be allowed in RLP 1, RR1 and RU1 zones. One per lot; not with a bed and breakfast or secondary suite (except the 34 Davis Avenue exception in RU1). In RLP 1 and RR1 a manufactured or mobile home may be an accessory suite. In RLP 1 and RR1, a septic-served suite also needs an Interior Health certificate of increased septic capacity and the parcel must not border a street with a community sewer main.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated, ss. 10.4, 14.1.3](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/846-Zoning-Bylaw-Final-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Accessory suites, when permitted, are to be located only in an accessory building, except" … "e) accessory suite within an accessory building" … "No more than one accessory suite shall be permitted per lot."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated, s. 10.4.4](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/846-Zoning-Bylaw-Final-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "An accessory suite may be permitted in the Rural Large Parcel (RLP 1) and Rural"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Limits:** Accessory suite in an accessory building: maximum 90 m² (manufactured or mobile home also 90 m²). Village guidelines add: secondary suite maximum is the lesser of 90 m² or 40% of the principal building's floor area; accessory suite the lesser of 90 m² or 75% of the principal building's area. One suite per principal dwelling or lot; no strata title. (Sources differ: The bylaw sets 90 m2 only for accessory suites; the 40% and 75% figures appear only in the guidelines (s. 10.3.3 of the zoning bylaw was deleted by Bylaw 944, 2022). The guidelines' 75% limit for accessory suites is not in the bylaw. Bylaw wins.)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated, ss. 10.4.5, 10.4.6](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/846-Zoning-Bylaw-Final-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the maximum floor area of" … "the accessory suite shall not exceed 90 m²."
  - Source: [Accessory and Secondary Suites Guidelines, Village suites guidelines (March 2024)](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Fruitvale-Accessory-Secondary-Suites-Guidelines.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Maximum floor area: lesser of 90 m² or" … "For suites in accessory buildings: max"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Parking:** 2 spaces per suite, in addition to the spaces required for the principal dwelling unit.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated, Section 9 parking table](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/846-Zoning-Bylaw-Final-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Secondary Suites or Accessory Suites" … "2 per suite, plus spaces required for the corresponding"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permits:** A building permit is required before constructing or altering a building or changing occupancy (Bylaw 698 s. 12.1.1). Whether a separate suite or development permit is needed is not stated; the Village's guidelines say nothing on permits.
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 698, 2003, s. 12.1.1](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/698-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a building permit before constructing, repairing, moving, installing or"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Village of Fruitvale Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013 (ss. 10.3, 10.4; zone sections 12 to 14); Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 698, 2003
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated, s. 10.3](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/846-Zoning-Bylaw-Final-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "of Zoning to C2 - Highway Commercial Zone. Text amendment to Section 10.3 Secondary Suites, 944 2022 PLD remove Clause 10.3.3." … "Date of Revision: February 26, 2026 Bylaw No. 846, 2013 Village of Fruitvale" … "Date of Revision: February 26, 2026"
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 698, 2003, s. 1.1](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/698-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The Village's [Zoning Bylaw No. 846](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/846-Zoning-Bylaw-Final-Consolidated.pdf) allows secondary suites (inside a single detached house) as a secondary use in the RLP 1, RR1, RU1 and RU2 zones. A suite must be in a new or converted single detached house, with one per principal dwelling and no strata titling. It cannot be combined with lodgers, a bed and breakfast or a group home. Multiple-housing, commercial and other zones read do not list a suite use.

Accessory suites, in a separate accessory building, may be allowed in RLP 1, RR1 and RU1. Only one is allowed per lot, and not with a bed and breakfast or a secondary suite (the 34 Davis Avenue exception in RU1 aside). In RLP 1 and RR1 a manufactured or mobile home may be used. On septic in those zones, the suite also needs an Interior Health certificate of increased septic capacity, and the parcel must not border a street with a community sewer main. RU2 lists only a secondary suite.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone with the Village Office (250-367-7551).
2. Check the size and parking limits below.
3. Apply for a building permit before constructing or altering a building or changing its occupancy (Bylaw 698 s. 12.1.1). New residential also needs Homeowner Protection Act warranty proof (s. 17.2).

## Good to know

- Size: an accessory suite in an accessory building may be up to 90 m² in the bylaw. The Village's March 2024 guidelines add lower limits (the lesser of 90 m² or 40% of the principal building for a secondary suite; 75% for an accessory suite). Those are not in the bylaw, so confirm with the Village.
- Parking: 2 spaces per suite, in addition to those for the main dwelling.
- Whether a separate suite or development permit is needed is not stated in the bylaws or guidelines. Ask the Village.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated (PDF)](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/846-Zoning-Bylaw-Final-Consolidated.pdf)
- [Accessory and Secondary Suites Guidelines, March 2024 (PDF)](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Fruitvale-Accessory-Secondary-Suites-Guidelines.pdf)
- [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 698, 2003 (PDF)](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/698-Building-Bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Fruitvale building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/building-permit.md)
- [Fruitvale building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Fruitvale zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Fruitvale short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/short-term-rental.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Montrose](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/secondary-suite.md)
- [Trail](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/secondary-suite.md)
- [Warfield](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/secondary-suite.md)
- [Rossland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/secondary-suite.md)
- [Salmo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/secondary-suite.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated (PDF)](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/846-Zoning-Bylaw-Final-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Accessory and Secondary Suites Guidelines (PDF)](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Fruitvale-Accessory-Secondary-Suites-Guidelines.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 698, 2003 (PDF)](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/698-Building-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Contact, Village of Fruitvale](https://fruitvale.ca/contact/) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Village of Fruitvale. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/secondary-suite/_