---
title: Langford secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?"
place: Langford, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/langford
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Langford
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/secondary-suite.json"
---

# Langford secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**Short answer:** Often yes, in Langford. Zoning Bylaw 300 allows a secondary suite inside a one-family dwelling, and garden or carriage suites where Part 6 allows them, with a building permit, an occupancy permit, an extra parking space, and the owner living on the property. Confirm your zone first.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Langford, https://www.langford.ca)  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building Department, 250-474-6692
- In person: City Hall, 2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford, BC V9B 2X8

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** A suite is permitted as an accessory use to a one-family dwelling, or another dwelling type specifically allowed in Part 6 of the Zoning Bylaw (check your zone). A secondary suite must be completely contained within the principal dwelling.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999 (consolidated June 29, 2026), section 3.08, s. 3.08, 3.08.02(1)](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Zoning-Bylaw-20260629.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A suite is permitted as an accessory use to a one-family dwelling, or other type of dwelling unit as specifically" … "permitted in Part 6 of this Bylaw." … "The secondary suite must be completely contained within the principal dwelling unit to which it"
  - Source: [Planning and Zoning, Secondary suites](https://langford.ca/builders/planning-and-zoning/)
  - Official wording: "The property must be zoned for a single-family dwelling with a secondary suite and meet the minimum lot size requirement"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** Garden suites and carriage suites are allowed as accessory uses where Part 6 permits them, not on lots in the 'City Centre' designation, and only on lots at least 11 m wide and 29 m deep. Garden suites: lots over 400 m², up to 65 m², max 4.5 m high, behind the rear building line. Carriage suites: lots over 1,000 m² (smaller lots only where Part 6 allows), up to 90 m², max two storeys, ground floor for vehicle parking.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999 (consolidated June 29, 2026), section 3.08, s. 3.08.03-3.08.05](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Zoning-Bylaw-20260629.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Garden suites and carriage suites are not permitted on lots within the “City Centre” designation" … "11 m (36.1 ft) and adepth greater than or equal to 29 m (95.1 ft)" … "Permitted only on lots over 400 m2 (5,305.6 ft2) unless otherwise noted in Part 6 of this Bylaw" … "The suite may not have a gross floor area of more than 65 m2 (700 ft2)" … "Permitted only on lots over 1,000 m2 (10,764 ft2) unless otherwise noted in Part 6 of this Bylaw;" … "The suite may not have a gross floor area of more than 90 m2 (969 ft2)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** One suite per lot unless Part 6 says otherwise. The owner must live in the principal dwelling or in the suite. The suite and house must be one real estate entity; strata titling is not permitted. An Occupancy Permit is required for the suite.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999 (consolidated June 29, 2026), section 3.08, s. 3.08.01](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Zoning-Bylaw-20260629.pdf)
  - Official wording: "There may only be one suite per lot, unless otherwise permitted in Part 6 of this Bylaw;" … "The owner must occupy either the principal dwelling, or the suite that is accessory to the" … "Strata titling is not permitted." … "An Occupancy Permit has been issued for the secondary suite;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** One additional off-street parking space for the exclusive use of the suite's occupants, not in tandem with a space for the principal dwelling.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999 (consolidated June 29, 2026), section 3.08, s. 3.08.01(5)](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Zoning-Bylaw-20260629.pdf)
  - Official wording: "One additional off-street parking space shall be provided for the exclusive use of the occupancy" … "of a suite, and this space shall not be located in tandem with any parking space for the principal"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** A building permit (with the secondary suite checklist) and an Occupancy Permit. Garden and carriage suites also have a Development Permit process on the Planning page.
  - Source: [Building Permits, Permit applications](https://langford.ca/builders/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Secondary Suites" … "Checklist For Application Submission"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999 (consolidated June 29, 2026), section 3.08, s. 3.08.01(4)](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Zoning-Bylaw-20260629.pdf)
  - Official wording: "An Occupancy Permit has been issued for the secondary suite;"
  - Source: [Planning and Zoning, Types of permit applications](https://langford.ca/builders/planning-and-zoning/)
  - Official wording: "Carriage and Garden Suite Development Permits"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999, s. 3.08 (Suites); Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999 (consolidated June 29, 2026), section 3.08, s. 3.08](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Zoning-Bylaw-20260629.pdf)
  - Official wording: "lot line or exterior side lot line may be reduced to 3 m. (Bylaw No. 2213) 3.08 Suites A suite is permitted as an accessory use to a one-family dwelling, or other type of dwelling unit as specifically" … "3. Citation This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "Langford Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999". READ A FIRST TIME this 18th day of January, 1999."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026), title](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1160-Building-Bylaw-2008-Consolidated-to-20260601-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

[Zoning Bylaw 300](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Zoning-Bylaw-20260629.pdf), section 3.08, allows a suite as an accessory use to a one-family dwelling, or to another dwelling type that Part 6 specifically allows. Check your zone. A secondary suite must be completely contained within the principal dwelling.

Garden suites and carriage suites are allowed as accessory uses where Part 6 permits them. They are not allowed on lots in the "City Centre" designation, and only on lots at least 11 m wide and 29 m deep.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone and which suites it allows with Planning.
2. Check the limits. Garden suite: lot over 400 m², up to 65 m², maximum 4.5 m high, behind the rear building line. Carriage suite: lot over 1,000 m² (smaller lots only where Part 6 allows), up to 90 m², maximum two storeys, ground floor for vehicle parking.
3. Apply for a building permit using the secondary suite checklist. Garden and carriage suites also have a Development Permit process on the Planning page.
4. Provide one additional off-street parking space for the suite's occupants, not in tandem with a space for the main dwelling.
5. Get an Occupancy Permit for the suite.

## Good to know

- One suite per lot unless Part 6 says otherwise.
- The owner must live in the principal dwelling or in the suite.
- The suite and house must be one real estate entity; strata titling is not permitted.
- The Planning page also says the property must be on municipal sewer (or have a future-connection covenant), so confirm with Planning.

## Official forms and pages

- [Secondary suite application checklist (PDF)](http://www.langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Checklist-Secondary-Suite.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 300, section 3.08 Suites (PDF, consolidated June 29, 2026)](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Zoning-Bylaw-20260629.pdf)
- [Planning and Zoning page](https://langford.ca/builders/planning-and-zoning/)

## Related questions

- [Langford building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/building-permit.md)
- [Langford permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Langford building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/building-permit-fees.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/secondary-suite.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/secondary-suite.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/secondary-suite.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/secondary-suite.md)
- [Metchosin](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/secondary-suite.md)
- [Sooke](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sooke/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999 (consolidated June 29, 2026), section 3.08 (PDF)](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Zoning-Bylaw-20260629.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Planning and Zoning, City of Langford](https://langford.ca/builders/planning-and-zoning/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permits, City of Langford](https://langford.ca/builders/building-permits/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026) (PDF)](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1160-Building-Bylaw-2008-Consolidated-to-20260601-1.pdf) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Langford. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/secondary-suite/_