---
title: Township of Langley secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?"
place: Township of Langley, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/langley-township
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Township of Langley
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/secondary-suite.json"
---

# Township of Langley secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Township of Langley, https://www.tol.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Permits, Licences and Inspections, 604-533-6018
- Email: Building information, buildinginfo@tol.ca
- In person: Civic Facility (Municipal Hall), 20338 - 65 Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3J1 (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.))

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** 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. (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.)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, s. 102 ("Secondary Suite")](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Guide to Secondary Suites, Guide, first page](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Guide-to-Secondary-Suites.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Secondary suites are not permitted in a multi-family unit, townhouse, row house or manor house."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, s. 102](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 400 Residential Zones, s. 401.2](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-400-Residential-(R,-MH,-FH-and-CRE%29-Zones.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, s. 102 ("Secondary Suite")](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf)
  - Official wording: "may not" … "exceed a maximum gross floor area of 120m2."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, s. 104.3 a)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a) an accessory home occupation is not permitted within a secondary suite;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, s. 107 parking table](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** 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).
  - Source: [Secondary Suites, Secondary Suites page](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/secondary-suites.aspx)
  - Official wording: "A building permit is required for all secondary suites"
  - Source: [Secondary Suites, Secondary Suites page](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/secondary-suites.aspx)
  - Official wording: "all properties with secondary suites will be subject to an Annual Secondary Suite Infrastructure Fee collected with the annual property taxes."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616, Schedule 5 (Annual Secondary Suite Infrastructure Fee)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** 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
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, s. 101.1](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Township of Langley Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500"
  - Source: [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, title](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "LANGLEY BUILDING BYLAW 2008 NO. 4642"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616, title](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW 2007 NO. 4616"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The 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.

A 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.

## Steps

1. Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and read its residential-use section.
2. Apply online for a building permit (see the building-permit answer). A building permit is required for all secondary suites.
3. 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).

## Good to know

- 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.
- The Township charges an Annual Secondary Suite Infrastructure Fee with property taxes: $145 in 2026 and after.
- 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.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf)
- [Guide to Secondary Suites (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Guide-to-Secondary-Suites.pdf)
- [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Township of Langley building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit.md)
- [Township of Langley building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Township of Langley zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Township of Langley home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/home-based-business.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/secondary-suite.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/secondary-suite.md)
- [White Rock](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/secondary-suite.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/secondary-suite.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/secondary-suite.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-100-Administration.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Bylaw 1987, No. 2500, Section 400 Residential Zones (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Zoning-Bylaws/Section-400-Residential-(R,-MH,-FH-and-CRE%29-Zones.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Guide to Secondary Suites (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Guide-to-Secondary-Suites.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Secondary Suites, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/secondary-suites.aspx) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Township of Langley. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/secondary-suite/_