Grand Forks secondary suite and carriage house rules
Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?
Short answer
Often yes. In the City of Grand Forks, a secondary suite is allowed on every parcel where a single-family dwelling is allowed, and the R-1 and R-2 zones also allow one detached garden suite (the bylaw's term for a carriage house). You need a building permit.
Key facts
| Secondary suite allowed | A secondary suite is permitted on every parcel where a single-family dwelling is permitted, subject to s. 29. R-1 and R-2 zones expressly allow one single-family dwelling plus one secondary suite and one garden suite.Zoning Bylaw No. 2039, 2018, unofficial consolidation (Amendments A1-A40, updated October 13, 2026), s. 29.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 2039, 2018, unofficial consolidation (Amendments A1-A40, updated October 13, 2026), s. 36.4, 39.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording29.1 Notwithstanding the regulations set out in Part VI of this bylaw, a secondary suite is permitted on every parcel where a single-family dwelling is permitted, subject to the One single-family dwelling, plus one secondary suite and one garden suite; or |
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| Coach house or garden suite allowed | A garden suite (detached) is allowed in R-1 and R-2 zones (with a single-family dwelling, or with a two-family dwelling), and as one accessory garden suite in NC and TC zones. It must be 12 to 90 m², on a permanent foundation, not strata titled, and cannot include a secondary suite.Zoning Bylaw No. 2039, 2018, unofficial consolidation (Amendments A1-A40, updated October 13, 2026), s. 36.4, 39.5; Zoning Bylaw No. 2039, 2018, unofficial consolidation (Amendments A1-A40, updated October 13, 2026), s. 46.3, 49.7; Zoning Bylaw No. 2039, 2018, unofficial consolidation (Amendments A1-A40, updated October 13, 2026), s. 22 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOne two-family dwelling, plus one garden suite. One garden suite. 49.7 One Garden Suite shall be permitted. 22.1 A Garden Suite shall have a minimum floor area of 12 sq. m. and a maximum floor area of 90 22.5 A Garden Suite shall not be permitted to be strata titled. 22.6 A Garden Suite shall not include a Secondary Suite. |
| Limits | Secondary suite: no more than 90 m² or 40% of the floor area of the principal single-family dwelling, whichever is less; only one suite per parcel. Garden suite: 12 to 90 m².Zoning Bylaw No. 2039, 2018, unofficial consolidation (Amendments A1-A40, updated October 13, 2026), s. 29.3-29.4; Zoning Bylaw No. 2039, 2018, unofficial consolidation (Amendments A1-A40, updated October 13, 2026), s. 22.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording29.3 The secondary suite shall not exceed 90 square metres or 40% of the floor area of the 29.4 No more than one secondary suite shall be located on a parcel of land. 22.1 A Garden Suite shall have a minimum floor area of 12 sq. m. and a maximum floor area of 90 |
| Parking | Table 2 requires one space per dwelling unit of 90 m² or less and two spaces per unit over 90 m². It does not mention suites by name; a suite is capped at 90 m².Zoning Bylaw No. 2039, 2018, unofficial consolidation (Amendments A1-A40, updated October 13, 2026), s. 26.10, Table 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDwelling unit (greater than 90 Dwelling Unit (equal to or under one space per every unit |
| Permits | A building permit is needed to build or alter a suite. The suite must meet all statutory and bylaw requirements, including approval from the agency responsible for sewage disposal.Building Bylaw No. 2070, s. 7.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 2039, 2018, unofficial consolidation (Amendments A1-A40, updated October 13, 2026), s. 29.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording(a) constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, including a. pool or 29.2 A secondary suite shall comply with all statutory and bylaw requirements, including approval from the agency having the jurisdiction for the proposed means of sewage |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 2039, 2018 (s. 22, 29, Part VI zones) and Building Bylaw No. 2070Zoning Bylaw No. 2039, 2018, unofficial consolidation (Amendments A1-A40, updated October 13, 2026), title; Building Bylaw No. 2070, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingZONING BYLAW NO. 2039, 2018 29 Secondary Suites BUILDING BYLAW No. 2070 |
How it works
The City of Grand Forks Zoning Bylaw 2039 allows a secondary suite on every parcel where a single-family dwelling is permitted (section 29.1). The R-1 and R-2 zones expressly allow one single-family dwelling plus one secondary suite and one garden suite. A garden suite is also allowed with a two-family dwelling in those zones, and as one accessory garden suite in NC and TC zones. R-1A, R-4 and R-4A list no garden suite.
Steps
- Confirm your lot's zone (see the zoning lookup answer).
- Talk to the Planner (250-442-8266) before drawing plans.
- Apply for a building permit. The suite must meet all statutory and bylaw requirements, including approval from the agency responsible for sewage disposal.
Good to know
- Secondary suite: no more than 90 m² or 40% of the principal dwelling's floor area, whichever is less, and only one per parcel.
- Garden suite: 12 to 90 m², on a permanent foundation, not strata titled, and it cannot include a secondary suite.
- A garden suite or other accessory dwelling unit may be up to 7.6 m high. With no direct highway access, a garden suite needs a pathway 1 m wide.
- Parking: Table 2 requires one space per dwelling unit of 90 m² or less and two per unit over 90 m². It does not name suites; ask the Planner to confirm.
- R-1A zone: the bylaw's wording conflicts with section 29.1, so ask the Planner.
- The Zoning Bylaw requires no development permit for a suite in the zones read, but one may apply in an Official Community Plan development permit area.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Greenwood · Rossland · Warfield · Trail · Montrose · Castlegar
Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 2039, 2018, unofficial consolidation (Amendments A1-A40, updated October 13, 2026) (PDF), City of Grand Forks (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw No. 2070 (PDF), City of Grand Forks (read 2026-11-05)
- Payment Options (PDF), City of Grand Forks (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.