{"title":"Hope secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Hope?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/hope","name":"Hope","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":"District of Hope","url":"https://www.hope.ca"},"short_answer":"Often yes in Hope, but not everywhere. Secondary suites and detached units are allowed in the RS-1 zone and rural zones L-1, AG-1, RU-1 and CR-1, except on RS-1 parcels shaded purple for limited water capacity. The Building Bylaw also bars new units that add density in mapped areas.","aliases":["secondary suite hope bc","basement suite hope","carriage house hope bc","coach house hope","legal suite hope"],"cost":"A building permit is needed; fees follow Schedule G (a $100 minimum plus a percentage of value). See building-permit-fees. Detached units may also need a driveway access permit.","how_long":"The District does not state a processing time.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Municipal Hall, Planning","value":"604-869-5671"},{"type":"email","label":"Planning","value":"planning@hope.ca"},{"type":"email","label":"Building permits and inspections","value":"dlepitre@hope.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"325 Wallace Street, Hope, BC V0X 1L0"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012 (PDF, consolidated to March 20, 2025)","url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf"},{"title":"Building Bylaw No. 972 (PDF)","url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Hope building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Hope zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Hope short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/short-term-rental/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/kent","name":"Kent","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs","name":"Harrison Hot Springs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chilliwack","name":"Chilliwack","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/princeton","name":"Princeton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/abbotsford","name":"Abbotsford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/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 to a one-family or two-family residence in RS-1 and in rural zones L-1, AG-1, RU-1, CR-1, inside the same building. Not on RS-1 parcels shaded purple on the zone's Figures 1 and 2 (water capacity) unless permitted before March 2019.","short":"Yes, in RS-1 and rural zones L-1, AG-1, RU-1, CR-1","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"s. 10.1.2","quotes":["a)     Secondary suite;","The following shall be permitted as accessory uses to a one family residence:","every parcel shaded purple on Figure 1 and Figure","2 shall be restricted to a maximum of a one family residence, until such time as the community water"]},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"s. 9.1.2 (L-1), 9.4.2 (CR-1)","quotes":["Secondary suite, detached accessory dwelling unit, employee residence or mobile home."]},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"s. 1 definition","quotes":["SECONDARY SUITE means a residential use consisting of a self-contained dwelling unit wholly contained"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Yes, a detached accessory dwelling unit (coach house, garden cottage, granny flat) where a one-family residence exists, in RS-1 and rural zones: minimum lot 0.4 ha in rural zones; up to 70 m² outside rural and CD zones; not in the front yard; no subdivision. Not on purple-shaded RS-1 parcels; limited where water or sewer is missing.","short":"Yes, in RS-1 and rural zones, with limits","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"s. 8.9.1","quotes":["A detached accessory dwelling unit is only permitted where a one family residence exists;","a minimum lot area of 0.4 hectares","shall have a maximum enclosed floor area of 70 square metres","shall not be subdivided from the parcel which it is an","shall not be located in the required front yard","The use of a parcel serviced by a community water system, but not a community sanitary"]},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"s. 1 definition","quotes":["DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT means a residential use consisting of a self-contained dwelling"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"One secondary suite per one-family residence (one in each unit of a two-family residence); floor area no more than the principal unit's; no strata lot; BC Building Code applies. RS-1 table: 3 units on parcels of 280 m² or less, 4 if larger, but only with both community water and sewer. No owner-occupancy rule found.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"s. 10.1.3","quotes":["A maximum of one secondary suite is permitted per one family residence and one secondary","The floor area of a secondary suite shall be lesser than or equal to the floor area of the","shall not","A secondary suite shall comply with the British Columbia Building Code","More than one dwelling unit applies in accordance with sections 10.1.3.2 and 10.1.3.3 only","to parcels serviced by both a community water system and a community sanitary sewer system."]},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"s. 10.1.5 table","quotes":["Three dwelling units for","Four dwelling units for parcels"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"1 off-street space per dwelling unit or sleeping unit for accessory residential use, which includes a secondary suite or detached accessory dwelling unit.","short":"1 space per dwelling unit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"s. 6.19.1","quotes":["Accessory residential use","(boarding, bed and breakfast, detached accessory","1 per dwelling unit or sleeping unit"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is needed (change of occupancy; work valued at $2,000 or more), and the suite must meet the BC Building Code. A development permit may also apply in riparian, flood or geotechnical permit areas. No permit for a new unit adding density in the Schedule A water-capacity areas until the water issue is resolved.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"s. 12.01(e), 12.01(h), s. 10.13","quotes":["any change in occupancy of a building or part thereof","no parcel in the subject areas shown on Schedule A will receive a building permit for a new residential unit that increases density"]},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"s. 10.1.3.9","quotes":["A secondary suite shall comply with the British Columbia Building Code"]},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"s. 8.9.1(i)","quotes":["shall require a driveway"]},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/146850/1617%20-%20Official%20Community%20Plan%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1617 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"s. 19.5 Riparian Areas DPA","quotes":["A Riparian Areas development permit must be","obtained on lands within 30 metres of rivers,","Construction of, or addition to, a building or"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012 (s. 8.9, s. 10.1; consolidated to March 20, 2025); Building Bylaw No. 972","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"Title page","quotes":["ZONING BYLAW NO. 1324, 2012","(CONSOLIDATED TO MARCH 20, 2025)"]},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024 (PDF), District of Hope","section":"Title page","quotes":["BUILDING BYLAW NO. 972"]}],"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\nWater capacity limits come first. Some RS-1 parcels are shaded purple on Figures 1 and 2 of the zone in the [Zoning Bylaw No. 1324](<https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf>) and may hold only one family residence until the water system has capacity (unless a permit for more than one unit was applied for before March 2019). Separately, [Building Bylaw](<https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf>) s. 10.13 bars a building permit for a new unit that adds density in the areas on its Schedule A map. Neither map could be read, so ask Planning about your address first.\n\nWhere those limits do not apply, a secondary suite is allowed inside a one-family or two-family residence in RS-1 and in rural zones L-1, AG-1, RU-1 and CR-1. A detached accessory dwelling unit (coach house, garden cottage, granny flat) is allowed where a one-family residence exists.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Ask Planning (planning@hope.ca, 604-869-5671) whether your parcel is in a water-capacity area and whether it has community water and sewer.\n2. Check the limits below.\n3. Apply for a building permit (change of occupancy, or work valued at $2,000 or more). The suite must meet the BC Building Code.\n4. Ask whether a development permit applies, for example in riparian, flood or geotechnical areas.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- One secondary suite per one-family residence (one in each unit of a two-family residence), no larger in floor area than the principal unit, and no strata lot.\n- Detached unit: up to 70 m² outside rural and comprehensive development zones, minimum lot 0.4 ha in rural zones, not in the front yard, no subdivision. In RS-1 it can be up to 6 m high.\n- Without community water or without community sewer, a parcel is limited to two dwelling units.\n- Parking: 1 off-street space per dwelling unit.\n- Suites and accessory dwelling units cannot be short-term rentals.\n- No owner-occupancy rule was found.","sources":[{"url":"https://hope.ca/community-development","title":"Community Development - Hope, BC","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024 (PDF), District of Hope","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/146850/1617%20-%20Official%20Community%20Plan%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1617 (PDF), District of Hope","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/148143/Short_Term_Rentals_Guide","title":"Short Term Rentals Guide, District of Hope","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86974/Fees_Charges_Bylaw","title":"Fees & Charges Bylaw No. 1363, 2015, Schedule G, District of Hope","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/hope/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/secondary-suite.json"}}