{"title":"Township of Langley secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","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":"Township of Langley","url":"https://www.tol.ca"},"short_answer":"In the Township of Langley (not the City of Langley) a secondary suite is allowed in single family, two family, semi-detached, townhouse and similar housing, up to 120 m², and needs a building permit. A coach house is allowed only in the second storey of a detached garage, in some zones. Check your zone.","aliases":["secondary suite township of langley","basement suite langley township","coach house langley township","legal suite langley township"],"cost":"Building permit fees apply (see the building-permit-fees answer). The Township also charges an Annual Secondary Suite Infrastructure Fee with property taxes: $145 in 2026 and after.","how_long":"The Township does not state a processing time.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Permits, Licences and Inspections","value":"604-533-6018"},{"type":"email","label":"Building information","value":"buildinginfo@tol.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Civic Facility (Municipal Hall)","value":"20338 - 65 Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3J1","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (building permit applications accepted 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF)","url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf"},{"title":"Guide to Secondary Suites (PDF)","url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Guide-to-Secondary-Suites.pdf"},{"title":"Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)","url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642).pdf"},{"title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF)","url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616).pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Township of Langley building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Township of Langley building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Township of Langley zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Township of Langley home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/home-based-business/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/langley","name":"Langley City","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/surrey","name":"Surrey","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/white-rock","name":"White Rock","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/maple-ridge","name":"Maple Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/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":"The Zoning Bylaw says a secondary suite may be in a single family, two family, semi-detached, manorhome, townhouse, rowhouse or small-scale multi-unit housing development. In R-1A, one single family dwelling plus one accessory dwelling unit where the dwelling has no secondary suite. In the ALR, ALC rules apply.","short":"Yes, in single family, townhouse and other housing","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF)","section":"s. 102 (\"Secondary Suite\")","quotes":["A secondary suite may be located within a","single family dwelling, two family dwelling, semi-detached dwelling, manorhome, townhouse, rowhouse or small-scale multi-unit housing development.","On lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve a secondary suite must comply with the Provincial Agricultural Land"]},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Guide-to-Secondary-Suites.pdf","title":"Guide to Secondary Suites (PDF)","section":"Guide, first page","quotes":["Secondary suites are not permitted in a multi-family unit, townhouse, row house or manor house."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The Township's Guide to Secondary Suites (last updated January 2025) says a suite is only permitted in a detached, fee simple, single-family dwelling and not in townhouses or row houses. The Zoning Bylaw definition, amended by Bylaw 6147 on 21/07/25, is wider. The bylaw is followed here. Which zones allow a suite depends on each zone's residential-use section."},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"A coach house is an accessory dwelling unit located only in the second storey of a detached garage. One accessory dwelling unit (a dwelling unit within an accessory building) is allowed beside a single family dwelling with no secondary suite in R-1A, R-1B to R-1E, R-CL and R-2; some SR zones also allow it.","short":"Yes, coach house above garage in R-1A to R-1E, R-CL, R-2","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF)","section":"s. 102","quotes":["COACH HOUSE\" means an accessory dwelling unit which is located only within the second","storey of a detached garage on a lot.","ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT\" means a dwelling unit within an accessory building."]},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-400-Residential-(R,-MH,-FH-and-CRE)-Zones.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 400 Residential Zones (PDF)","section":"s. 401.2","quotes":["one (1) single family dwelling, plus one (1) accessory dwelling unit where the","2) one (1) single family dwelling, plus one accessory dwelling unit where the single","3) one (1) single family dwelling, plus one (1) accessory dwelling unit where the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"A secondary suite may not exceed 120 m² gross floor area. Each principal dwelling unit in a townhouse, rowhouse or semi-detached home may have up to one suite. An accessory home occupation is not permitted within a secondary suite.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF)","section":"s. 102 (\"Secondary Suite\")","quotes":["may not","exceed a maximum gross floor area of 120m2."]},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF)","section":"s. 104.3 a)","quotes":["a) an accessory home occupation is not permitted within a secondary suite;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"Townhouses, semi-detached dwellings and rowhouses: 2 spaces per principal dwelling unit plus 1 per secondary suite. Manorhomes: 1 per principal dwelling unit plus 1 per suite. Single family dwellings: 1 per dwelling unit, minimum 2 per lot; no separate rate is given for a suite there.","short":"1 space per suite (townhouse, semi-detached, rowhouse)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF)","section":"s. 107 parking table","quotes":["1 space per secondary suite","1 space per dwelling unit, with a","minimum total of 2 spaces per","viii) manorhomes 1 space per principal dwelling","vii) semi-detached dwellings 2 spaces per principal dwelling","ix) rowhouses 2 spaces per principal dwelling","ii) townhouses 2 spaces per principal dwelling"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is required for all secondary suites. Applications are online. The Township also charges an Annual Secondary Suite Infrastructure Fee with property taxes ($145 in 2026 and after).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/secondary-suites.aspx","title":"Secondary Suites, Township of Langley","section":"Secondary Suites page","quotes":["A building permit is required for all secondary suites"]},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/secondary-suites.aspx","title":"Secondary Suites, Township of Langley","section":"Secondary Suites page","quotes":["all properties with secondary suites will be subject to an Annual Secondary Suite Infrastructure Fee collected with the annual property taxes."]},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616).pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF)","section":"Schedule 5 (Annual Secondary Suite Infrastructure Fee)","quotes":["Suite Building Permit is issued after May $245 in 2025 1, in which case the Fee is payable in the $145 in 2026 calendar year subsequent to the calendar and thereafter"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Township of Langley Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500 (s. 102 definitions, s. 107 parking); Langley Building Bylaw 2008 No. 4642; Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007 No. 4616","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF)","section":"s. 101.1","quotes":["Township of Langley Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500"]},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642).pdf","title":"Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["LANGLEY BUILDING BYLAW 2008 NO. 4642"]},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616).pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW 2007 NO. 4616"]}],"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\nThe Township of Langley (a separate municipality from the City of Langley) allows a secondary suite in a single family, two family, semi-detached, manorhome, townhouse, rowhouse or small-scale multi-unit housing development, under its [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf). Which zones allow a suite depends on each zone's residential-use section. In the R-1A zone, one single family dwelling plus one accessory dwelling unit is allowed where the dwelling has no secondary suite. On land in the Agricultural Land Reserve, Agricultural Land Commission rules apply.\n\nA suite may not exceed 120 m² gross floor area. Each principal dwelling unit in a townhouse, rowhouse or semi-detached home may have up to one suite. An accessory home occupation is not permitted within a secondary suite. A coach house is an accessory dwelling unit located only in the second storey of a detached garage. One accessory dwelling unit beside a single family dwelling with no secondary suite is allowed in R-1A, R-1B to R-1E, R-CL and R-2, and some SR zones. The term \"garden suite\" does not appear in the bylaw.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and read its residential-use section.\n2. Apply online for a building permit (see the building-permit answer). A building permit is required for all secondary suites.\n3. Plan parking: townhouses, semi-detached dwellings and rowhouses need 2 spaces per principal dwelling unit plus 1 per secondary suite; manorhomes need 1 per principal dwelling unit plus 1 per suite. Single family dwellings need 1 per dwelling unit, minimum 2 per lot, with no separate rate stated for a suite. Confirm with Permits, Licences and Inspections (604-533-6018).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The Township's [Guide to Secondary Suites](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Guide-to-Secondary-Suites.pdf) (last updated January 2025) says a suite is only permitted in a detached, fee simple, single-family dwelling and not in townhouses or row houses. The Zoning Bylaw, amended on 21/07/25, is wider and is followed here. Confirm with the Township.\n- The Township charges an Annual Secondary Suite Infrastructure Fee with property taxes: $145 in 2026 and after.\n- The fee schedule values a secondary suite conversion at $345 per m² and basement finish or secondary suite at $1,220 per m² for building permit fees.\n- We found no owner-occupancy requirement in the bylaw or on the Township's secondary suite page. A development permit is not mentioned for suites. Unauthorized suites can be reported to the Township.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-400-Residential-(R,-MH,-FH-and-CRE)-Zones.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 400 Residential Zones (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Guide-to-Secondary-Suites.pdf","title":"Guide to Secondary Suites (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/secondary-suites.aspx","title":"Secondary Suites, Township of Langley","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616).pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642).pdf","title":"Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)","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/langley-township/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/secondary-suite.json"}}