{"title":"Golden secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/golden","name":"Golden","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":"Town of Golden","url":"https://www.golden.ca"},"short_answer":"In Golden a secondary suite is allowed as an accessory use in R1S, R1D, R2, R2A, R3, R5 and C5 zones, and a detached coach house or garden suite is allowed in most of them on a lot of at least 600 m². You need a building permit, and parking for three spaces in total.","aliases":["secondary suite golden bc","basement suite golden","coach house golden bc","garden suite golden"],"cost":"Building permit fees apply; see the building-permit-fees answer. No separate suite fee is stated.","how_long":"The Town does not state a processing time. Ask the Building Official.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Building Official","value":"building@golden.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Planning and Development","value":"250-344-2271"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall","value":"810 9th Ave. South, Golden, BC"}],"documents":["Building permit application and checklist"],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf"},{"title":"Secondary Suite Ready Dwellings bulletin (PDF)","url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/2022%20Bulletin%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Ready%20Dwellings.pdf"},{"title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Golden building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Golden building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Golden zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Golden short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/short-term-rental/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/revelstoke","name":"Revelstoke","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/radium-hot-springs","name":"Radium Hot Springs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/radium-hot-springs/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/invermere","name":"Invermere","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nakusp","name":"Nakusp","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-denver","name":"New Denver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sicamous","name":"Sicamous","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/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":"Yes, as an accessory use in R1S (all former R1 lots since 2024), R1D, R2, R2A, R3, R5 and C5.","short":"Yes, in R1S, R1D, R2, R2A, R3, R5 and C5","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/137466/","title":"Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1492, 2024 (PDF)","section":"Bylaw 1492, 2024","quotes":["to allow for","Residential zones by amending the zoning to RlS - Single"]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","section":"Schedule C (R1S)","quotes":["Secondary Residential Dwelling","Minimum Secondary Residential Dwelling 37 m2","Transition Commercial- C5","Secondary Residential Dwellings"]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","section":"Schedule F (R2A)","quotes":["Secondary Suite","Minimum Area of Secondary Suite 37 m2"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Yes in zones that list a Secondary Residential Dwelling (R1S, R1D, R2, R2A, R3, R5): a coach house (second storey over a garage or carport) or a garden suite (single storey), on a lot of at least 600 m². Also C5, but not on a lot with a commercial use.","short":"Yes, in zones listing it, lot at least 600 m²","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","section":"s. 9.5(3)","quotes":["notbe on aLotless than 600 m'z"]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","section":"Definitions","quotes":["Coach Houset' means a Detached Seconda¡y Residential Dwelling built on the Second","Garden Suite, is a Detached Secondary Residential Dwelling, limited to a single Storey."]},{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/96210/","title":"Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1378, 2017 (PDF)","section":"Bylaw 1378, 2017, ss. 2.2 to 2.5","quotes":["2.2 Thatthe accessory use of \" Secondary Suite\"be DELETED from sectionc) of Schedule F Twin","Residential Sensitive -R2A AND REPLACED with the accessory use of \" Secondary Residential","2.4 Thatthe following be ADDED to section f Minimum Yard Setbacþs of Schedule F Twin Residential"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"One secondary dwelling per lot; no subdivision or strata. A suite may have up to three bedrooms. Zone schedules still set a 37 m² minimum. Bylaw 1437 (2020) removed the owner-occupancy rule and the earlier maximum size and separate-entrance rules.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","section":"s. 9.5(1)-(2)","quotes":["not exceed one Secondary Residential Dwellings per Lot;","be permitted on a Lot where a registered orwner is residing in the Principal","have a minimum Gross Floor Areaof 37 m2 and a maximum Gross Floor Area of","have a maximum of two bedrooms;"]},{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/126132/","title":"Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1437, 2020 (PDF)","section":"Bylaw 1437, 2020, s. 2 (h), (i)","quotes":["h) Section 9.5 “Secondary Residential Dwellings” by deleting section 9.5. l(c), 9.5.2(a), and (c)","have a maximum of three bedrooms; and"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"One space for the suite plus two for the single detached dwelling (three in total).","short":"1 space for suite, plus 2 for the house","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","section":"Table 8.1","quotes":["Secondary Residential Dwelling I per Dwelling Unit","Single Detached Dwelling 2 per Dwelling Unit"]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/2022%20Bulletin%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Ready%20Dwellings.pdf","title":"Secondary Suite Ready Dwellings bulletin (PDF)","section":"Secondary Suite Ready Dwellings bulletin","quotes":["3 parking spaces.2 for the single detached dwelling and a third for the proposed suite."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is needed to add a secondary suite or new kitchen. The suite must meet the BC Building Code (fire separation, sound separation, egress windows, separate heating controls) and zoning.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits","title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","section":"When you DO need a permit","quotes":["Adding a secondary suite or new kitchen"]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/2022%20Bulletin%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Ready%20Dwellings.pdf","title":"Secondary Suite Ready Dwellings bulletin (PDF)","section":"Bulletin","quotes":["With these measures installed it is relatively simple to convert the space to a legal secondary suite subject to","zoning and a future building permit."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Town of Golden Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 9.5 and zone schedules, as amended by Zoning Amendment Bylaws 1378 (2017), 1437 (2020) and 1492 (2024); Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","section":"s. 9.5","quotes":["h. provide parking in accordance with Section I þarking and loadingregulationsl 9.5 SecondaryResidentialDwellings 1) Secondary Residential pwsllings, including both Secondary Suites and Secondary","THIS PAGE, INTENTIONALLY, HAS BEEN LEFT BLANK","Town of Golden ZoningBylaw No. 1294,2011 Table of Contents"]},{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Town of Golden Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299,2012"]},{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/126132/","title":"Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1437, 2020 (PDF)","section":"Bylaw 1437, 2020","quotes":["h) Section 9.5 “Secondary Residential Dwellings” by deleting section 9.5. l(c), 9.5.2(a), and (c)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nGolden's [Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011](<https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf>), as amended, allows a secondary suite as an accessory use in R1S (all former R1 lots since 2024), R1D, R2, R2A, R3, R5 and C5. A suite is inside a single detached dwelling.\n\nA detached secondary dwelling is allowed in zones that list a Secondary Residential Dwelling (R1S, R1D, R2, R2A, R3, R5): a coach house (second storey over a garage or carport) or a garden suite (single storey), on a lot of at least 600 m². C5 also allows one, but not on a lot with a commercial use. A detached suite must reflect the principal building's form, be at least 4.0 m from it, and meet accessory building rules.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your zone with Development Services (see the zoning-lookup answer).\n2. Check the limits below, including parking.\n3. Apply for a building permit to add the suite or new kitchen (see the building-permit answer).\n4. Build to the BC Building Code and have the work inspected.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Limits: one secondary dwelling per lot; no subdivision or strata. A suite may have up to three bedrooms. Zone schedules still set a 37 m² minimum.\n- Bylaw 1437 (2020) removed the owner-occupancy rule and the earlier maximum size and separate-entrance rules.\n- Parking: one space for the suite plus two for the single detached dwelling, three in total.\n- The suite must meet the BC Building Code (fire separation, sound separation, egress windows, separate heating controls). The Town's Secondary Suite Ready Dwellings bulletin lists construction details.\n- The Town pages do not say whether a development permit is also needed. Ask Development Services.\n- The posted zoning bylaw does not merge later amendments, so confirm with the Town.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/137466/","title":"Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1492, 2024 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/126132/","title":"Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1437, 2020 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/96210/","title":"Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1378, 2017 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/2022%20Bulletin%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Ready%20Dwellings.pdf","title":"Secondary Suite Ready Dwellings bulletin (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits","title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","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/golden/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/secondary-suite.json"}}