Kent secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?

Kent, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

Yes, in many zones. In the District of Kent a secondary suite is permitted in the RS1 and Agricultural zones, and RS1 also allows a detached suite or coach house. You need a building permit, one extra parking space, and possibly a development permit.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowed	Yes. A secondary suite is a permitted accessory dwelling unit in the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RS1) zone and in the Agricultural (A) zone, and is also listed in the Small Lot Agricultural, Rural Residential and other zones. RS1 allows one suite per single dwelling.Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 9.4.1 (RS1); Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 9.1.1 (A); OCP and Zoning, SSMUH · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The following are permitted as accessory dwelling unit uses in this A maximum of one secondary suite is permitted per single-dwelling The following are permitted as accessory dwelling units in this zone: - Single dwelling; - Two dwelling; - Secondary suites; - Detached accessory dwelling units; - Townhouses; and
Coach house or garden suite allowed	Yes in RS1 (secondary dwelling, coach house, garden suite): rear yard, 3 m from the house, up to 112 m², 7 m high. Also one detached unit per lot in the A, A1, RR2 and RR3 zones (A and A1 need a lot of at least 2,000 m²; 90 m² on lots under 40 ha in A). RR1 and RL allow a suite only.Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 9.4.1 (RS1); Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), Table 9.1.1 (A) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording All detached accessory dwelling unit uses, shall be sited in the rear (c) coach house 112 square metres (1,206 square A maximum of one secondary suite and one detached accessory dwelling unit are permitted per lot. 2,000 square metres (0.5 acres) 90 square metres (968 square
Limits	RS1: up to 3 dwelling units on lots of 280 m² or less and 4 units on larger lots; the suite cannot be larger than the principal dwelling unit it is in. The zoning definition says a secondary suite is allowed only where the registered owner lives in the building as their principal residence. A and A1 zones: one suite plus one detached unit per lot.Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), Table 9.4.1 (RS1); Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 2 definitions; Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 9.1.1.2.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 3 dwelling units for lots equal to 4 dwelling units for lots greater lesser than or equal to the floor only be permitted where the building is occupied by the registered owner of the lot as his/her principal place of A maximum of one secondary suite and one detached accessory dwelling unit
Parking	One parking space per accessory dwelling unit, in addition to the spaces required for the main residence.Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.17.10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording accessory dwelling unit 1 space per dwelling unit in addition to the parking spaces required by the principal
Permits	Adding or finishing a suite needs a building permit (finishing an unfinished area or altering a building). Lots in a development permit area may need a development permit first. Trades work (plumbing, gas, electrical) needs its own permits.Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(a); OCP and Zoning, Development Permit Areas · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Complete an unfinished area in an existing building Alter, renovate or repair existing buildings or structures. If your property is located within one or more Development Permit Areas, you may need a Development Permit before obtaining a building permit
Bylaw	Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (RS1 zone created by Bylaw No. 1737, 2024); Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), cover; OCP and Zoning, SSMUH · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 the District adopted Bylaw No. 1737, creating the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RS1) Zone

How it works

Under the District's Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, a secondary suite is a permitted accessory dwelling unit in the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RS1) zone and the Agricultural (A) zone. It is also listed in the Small Lot Agricultural, Rural Residential and other zones. RS1 allows one suite per single dwelling. Lots with community sewer but no community water (or the reverse) are limited to two dwelling units in RS1.

Detached units are allowed in RS1 (secondary dwelling, coach house or garden suite): in the rear yard, 3 m from the house, up to 112 m² and 7 m high. One detached unit per lot is also allowed in the A, A1, RR2 and RR3 zones (A and A1 need a lot of at least 2,000 m²). RR1 and RL allow a suite only. An accessory dwelling unit cannot be subdivided or stratified from the lot.

Steps

Find your zone on the District's map (see the zoning-lookup answer) and check the rules on the OCP and Zoning page.
Ask Planning (604-796-2235, planning@kentbc.ca) whether your lot is in a development permit area.
Apply for a building permit to finish or alter the space. Plumbing, gas and electrical work needs its own permits.

Good to know

RS1 allows up to 3 dwelling units on lots of 280 m² or less and 4 on larger lots. The suite cannot be larger than the principal dwelling unit it is in.
Parking: one space per accessory dwelling unit, in addition to the 2 spaces required for the main residence.
The zoning definition says a secondary suite is allowed only where the owner lives in the building as their principal residence. This wording is not repeated in the RS1 zone, so ask Planning whether it still applies.
You do not need a business licence to rent a suite under the Residential Tenancy Act.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Harrison Hot Springs · Chilliwack · Hope · Abbotsford · Mission · Maple Ridge

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

Sources

Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025) (read 2026-11-06)
OCP and Zoning, District of Kent (read 2026-11-06)
Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1747, 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)

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.