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Invermere secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

Invermere, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

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.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowedUnder 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.Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026, Bylaw 1686, 2026, s. 2(b), new s. 3.14(a); Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated, s. 5.3(2)(b) (R-1 zone) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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.
(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
Coach house or garden suite allowedA 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.Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026, Bylaw 1686, 2026, new s. 3.14(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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;
LimitsOne 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.Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026, Bylaw 1686, 2026, new s. 3.14(c), (e), (f); Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated, R-2S zone, Other Regulations (c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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
(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
Parking1 off-street parking space per secondary suite (in addition to the dwelling's own requirement).Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated, s. 4.5(4)(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
(e) Secondary Suite - 1 per dwelling unit
(a) Single family and two - 2 per dwelling unit
PermitsA 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.Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026, new s. 3.14(b); Building Bylaw No. 1677, 2026, ss. 4.1, 10.1(a); Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 1687, 2026, Schedule G, Schedule G, Table 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
(b) Secondary suites shall comply with all applicable requirements of the BC
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
Secondary Suite $150 $153 $156
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, s. 3.14 (replaced by Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026); Building Bylaw No. 1677, 2026Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026, Bylaw 1686, 2026, s. 1; Building Bylaw No. 1677, 2026, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026
Building Bylaw No. 1677, 2026

How it works

Under s. 3.14 of the Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, replaced by Amendment Bylaw No. 1686 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

The same question in other places

Radium Hot Springs · Canal Flats · Kaslo · Elkford · Kimberley · Cranbrook

Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1686, 2026 (PDF), District of Invermere (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated (PDF), District of Invermere (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Building Bylaw No. 1677, 2026 (PDF), District of Invermere (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 1687, 2026, Schedule G (PDF), District of Invermere (read 2026-11-08)
  5. Contact Information, District of Invermere (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. How answers are checked.