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

# Invermere secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**Short answer:** In Invermere a secondary suite is allowed in single-family, two-family and multi-family dwellings where the BC Building Code permits, but only in zones that list suites as a use. A suite may also be allowed in an accessory building. A building permit is required.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Invermere, https://invermere.net)  
**Cost:** Building permit fees apply; Table 1 values a secondary suite at $153 per sq. ft. from Jan 1, 2026. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The District does not state a review time.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Planning (Director of Development Services), 250-342-9281 ext. 1235
- Email: Planning, planning@invermere.net
- Phone: Building Official, 250-342-9281 ext. 1227
- Email: Building Official, building@invermere.net

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** Under s. 3.14(a) (replaced February 24, 2026), suites are permitted in single-family, two-family and multi-family dwellings where the BC Building Code permits, but only in zones that list them as a use: R-1, R-1(A), R-2, R-2(A), R-2S and RM-2 in the posted zoning text.
  - Source: [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026, Bylaw 1686, 2026, s. 2(b), new s. 3.14(a)](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/61141/)
  - Official wording: "(a) Secondary suites are permitted in single-family dwellings, two-family and" … "multi-family dwellings where the BC Building Code permits." … "ADOPTED this 24th day of February 2026."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated, s. 5.3(2)(b) (R-1 zone)](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/20335/)
  - Official wording: "(b) Secondary Suites, Subject to Section 3.14 of this Bylaw." … "(k) Secondary Suites, subject to section 5.6(a)4(c)." … "(c) Secondary suites are permitted within all single family dwellings in the RM-2"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** A secondary suite may be permitted in an accessory building if the parcel has a principal dwelling unit, has no bed and breakfast and no existing secondary suite, and the building and suite meet all zoning and BC Building Code rules.
  - Source: [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026, Bylaw 1686, 2026, new s. 3.14(d)](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/61141/)
  - Official wording: "(d) Secondary suites may be permitted in an accessory building provided:" … "(i) the parcel contains a principal dwelling unit;" … "(ii) the parcel does not contain a bed and breakfast;" … "(iii) the parcel does not contain an existing secondary suite;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Limits:** One suite per parcel; none in a building with boarders, lodgers or a bed and breakfast; the suite cannot be subdivided or stratified (s. 3.14, 2026). In the R-2S zone the zone rules still cap a suite at 90 m² or 40% of the dwelling, set a 32 m² minimum, and require the owner to live there.
  - Source: [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026, Bylaw 1686, 2026, new s. 3.14(c), (e), (f)](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/61141/)
  - Official wording: "(c) Only one secondary suite per parcel is permitted." … "(e) A single-family residential building containing one or more boarders or" … "(f) No single-family residential building containing a secondary suite may be" … "subdivided, stratified or otherwise legally separated from the single-family"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated, R-2S zone, Other Regulations (c)](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/20335/)
  - Official wording: "(iii) a secondary suite shall not exceed 90 m or 40% of the residential floor" … "(v) the owner of a single-family building that contains a secondary suite shall be" … "a resident of either the secondary suite or the principal residential dwelling"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Parking:** 1 off-street parking space per secondary suite (in addition to the dwelling's own requirement).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated, s. 4.5(4)(e)](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/20335/)
  - Official wording: "(e) Secondary Suite - 1 per dwelling unit" … "(a) Single family and two - 2 per dwelling unit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permits:** A building permit is required (alteration or change of use of a building needs a permit), and the suite must meet the BC Building Code. A development permit is also needed if the site is in an OCP development permit area.
  - Source: [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026, new s. 3.14(b)](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/61141/)
  - Official wording: "(b) Secondary suites shall comply with all applicable requirements of the BC"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1677, 2026, ss. 4.1, 10.1(a)](https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/bylaw-1677-building-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A person must not commence or continue any construction, alteration, excavation," … "(a) the owner must apply for and obtain a development permit if the building or"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 1687, 2026, Schedule G, Schedule G, Table 1](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/61142/)
  - Official wording: "Secondary Suite $150 $153 $156"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, s. 3.14 (replaced by Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026); Building Bylaw No. 1677, 2026
  - Source: [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026, Bylaw 1686, 2026, s. 1](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/61141/)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1677, 2026, s. 1.1](https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/bylaw-1677-building-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw No. 1677, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Under s. 3.14 of the [Zoning Bylaw No. 1145](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/20335/), replaced by [Amendment Bylaw No. 1686](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/61141/) on February 24, 2026, Invermere allows secondary suites in single-family, two-family and multi-family dwellings where the BC Building Code permits. A zone must list suites as a use: in the posted zoning text these are R-1, R-1(A), R-2, R-2(A), R-2S and RM-2. The zoning bylaw does not use the terms coach house, carriage house or garden suite.

A secondary suite may be permitted in an accessory building if the parcel has a principal dwelling unit, no bed and breakfast and no existing secondary suite, and the building and suite meet all zoning and BC Building Code rules.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone lists suites (see the zoning-lookup answer) and call Planning (250-342-9281 ext. 1235).
2. Apply for a building permit; altering or changing the use of a building needs one. If the site is in an Official Community Plan development permit area, a development permit is also needed.
3. Provide 1 off-street parking space for the suite, in addition to the dwelling's own requirement.

## Good to know

- One suite per parcel. No suite in a building with boarders, lodgers or a bed and breakfast, and a suite cannot be subdivided or stratified.
- A suite must be a self-contained unit with only one cooking facility.
- In the R-2S zone the zone rules still cap a suite at 90 m² or 40% of the dwelling, set a 32 m² minimum, and require the owner to live there. The 2026 text for other zones states no size cap or owner-occupancy rule; the District has not said whether they were dropped, so confirm with Planning.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026 (secondary suites) (PDF)](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/61141/)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated (PDF)](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/20335/)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1677, 2026 (PDF)](https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/bylaw-1677-building-bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Invermere building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/building-permit.md)
- [Invermere building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Invermere zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Invermere short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/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)
- [Radium Hot Springs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/radium-hot-springs/secondary-suite.md)
- [Canal Flats](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/canal-flats/secondary-suite.md)
- [Kaslo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/secondary-suite.md)
- [Elkford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/elkford/secondary-suite.md)
- [Kimberley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/secondary-suite.md)
- [Cranbrook](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026 (PDF), District of Invermere](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/61141/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated (PDF), District of Invermere](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/20335/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1677, 2026 (PDF), District of Invermere](https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/bylaw-1677-building-bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 1687, 2026, Schedule G (PDF), District of Invermere](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/61142/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Contact Information, District of Invermere](https://invermere.net/operations/general/contact-information/) (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 District of Invermere. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/secondary-suite/_