--- title: Golden secondary suite and carriage house rules question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?" place: Golden, British Columbia, Canada place_path: ca/bc/golden category: Building, renovating and your property owner: municipal owner_body: Town of Golden sources_read: 2026-11-08 review: machine_checked canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/secondary-suite/" json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/secondary-suite.json" --- # Golden secondary suite and carriage house rules **Question:** Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house? **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. **Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Golden, https://www.golden.ca) **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:** - Email: Building Official, building@golden.ca - Phone: Planning and Development, 250-344-2271 - In person: Town Hall, 810 9th Ave. South, Golden, BC ## Key facts - **Secondary suite allowed:** Yes, as an accessory use in R1S (all former R1 lots since 2024), R1D, R2, R2A, R3, R5 and C5. - Source: [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1492, 2024, Bylaw 1492, 2024](https://golden.civicweb.net/document/137466/) - Official wording: "to allow for" … "Residential zones by amending the zoning to RlS - Single" - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, Schedule C (R1S)](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf) - Official wording: "Secondary Residential Dwelling" … "Minimum Secondary Residential Dwelling 37 m2" … "Transition Commercial- C5" … "Secondary Residential Dwellings" - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, Schedule F (R2A)](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf) - Official wording: "Secondary Suite" … "Minimum Area of Secondary Suite 37 m2" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** 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. - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 9.5(3)](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf) - Official wording: "notbe on aLotless than 600 m'z" - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, Definitions](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf) - Official wording: "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." - Source: [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1378, 2017, Bylaw 1378, 2017, ss. 2.2 to 2.5](https://golden.civicweb.net/document/96210/) - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **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. Bylaw 1437 (2020) removed the owner-occupancy rule and the earlier maximum size and separate-entrance rules. - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 9.5(1)-(2)](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf) - Official wording: "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;" - Source: [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1437, 2020, Bylaw 1437, 2020, s. 2 (h), (i)](https://golden.civicweb.net/document/126132/) - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Parking:** One space for the suite plus two for the single detached dwelling (three in total). - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, Table 8.1](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf) - Official wording: "Secondary Residential Dwelling I per Dwelling Unit" … "Single Detached Dwelling 2 per Dwelling Unit" - Source: [Secondary Suite Ready Dwellings bulletin](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/2022%20Bulletin%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Ready%20Dwellings.pdf) - Official wording: "3 parking spaces.2 for the single detached dwelling and a third for the proposed suite." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Permits:** 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. - Source: [Building and Demolition Permits, When you DO need a permit](https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits) - Official wording: "Adding a secondary suite or new kitchen" - Source: [Secondary Suite Ready Dwellings bulletin, Bulletin](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/2022%20Bulletin%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Ready%20Dwellings.pdf) - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Bylaw:** 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 - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 9.5](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf) - Official wording: "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" - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012, s. 1](https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/) - Official wording: "Town of Golden Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299,2012" - Source: [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1437, 2020, Bylaw 1437, 2020](https://golden.civicweb.net/document/126132/) - Official wording: "h) Section 9.5 “Secondary Residential Dwellings” by deleting section 9.5. l(c), 9.5.2(a), and (c)" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 ## How it works Golden's [Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011](), 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. A 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. ## Steps 1. Confirm your zone with Development Services (see the zoning-lookup answer). 2. Check the limits below, including parking. 3. Apply for a building permit to add the suite or new kitchen (see the building-permit answer). 4. Build to the BC Building Code and have the work inspected. ## Good to know - 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. - Bylaw 1437 (2020) removed the owner-occupancy rule and the earlier maximum size and separate-entrance rules. - Parking: one space for the suite plus two for the single detached dwelling, three in total. - 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. - The Town pages do not say whether a development permit is also needed. Ask Development Services. - The posted zoning bylaw does not merge later amendments, so confirm with the Town. ## What you'll need - Building permit application and checklist ## Official forms and pages - [Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf) - [Secondary Suite Ready Dwellings bulletin (PDF)](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/2022%20Bulletin%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Ready%20Dwellings.pdf) - [Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden](https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits) ## Related questions - [Golden building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/building-permit.md) - [Golden building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/building-permit-fees.md) - [Golden zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/zoning-lookup.md) - [Golden short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/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) - [Revelstoke](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/secondary-suite.md) - [Radium Hot Springs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/radium-hot-springs/secondary-suite.md) - [Invermere](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/secondary-suite.md) - [Nakusp](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/secondary-suite.md) - [New Denver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/secondary-suite.md) - [Sicamous](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/secondary-suite.md) ## Sources - [Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF)](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/Bylaw-No-1294%2C-2011-ToG-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08) - [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1492, 2024 (PDF)](https://golden.civicweb.net/document/137466/) (read 2026-11-08) - [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1437, 2020 (PDF)](https://golden.civicweb.net/document/126132/) (read 2026-11-08) - [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1378, 2017 (PDF)](https://golden.civicweb.net/document/96210/) (read 2026-11-08) - [Secondary Suite Ready Dwellings bulletin (PDF)](https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/2022%20Bulletin%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Ready%20Dwellings.pdf) (read 2026-11-08) - [Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden](https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits) (read 2026-11-08) - [Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 (PDF)](https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/) (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 Town of Golden. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/secondary-suite/_