{"title":"Lantzville secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Lantzville?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/lantzville","name":"Lantzville","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":"District of Lantzville","url":"https://www.lantzville.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. Lantzville's Zoning Bylaw allows a secondary suite inside a house in the residential zones (R1 to R6), and in Estate, Rural and other listed zones, on a parcel of at least 600 m². A carriage house needs at least 1,300 m². A suite generally needs a building permit.","aliases":["secondary suite lantzville","basement suite lantzville","carriage house lantzville","legal suite lantzville"],"cost":"Building permit fees are not confirmed. See the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"The District does not state a processing time.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Planning Department","value":"planning@lantzville.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Planning Department","value":"250-933-8093"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"7192 Lantzville Road, Lantzville, BC V0R 2H0","note":"Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays): by phone or email 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; in-person payments and document drop-off 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; call or email for appointments for other services"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf"},{"title":"Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), District of Lantzville","url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7183.pdf"},{"title":"Building Permit, District of Lantzville","url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=888"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Lantzville building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Lantzville zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Lantzville permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/nanaimo","name":"Nanaimo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/parksville","name":"Parksville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sechelt","name":"Sechelt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/gibsons","name":"Gibsons","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/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":"Yes, inside a house, as a secondary use in the residential zones (R1 to R6), Estate, Rural, Foothills, Agriculture and several special-area zones. Parcel must be at least 600 m² (300 m² in R6 zone).","short":"Yes, in residential zones R1 to R6 and others","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","section":"s. 2.1.1, 2.1.9","quotes":["A secondary suite is permitted only on a parcel at least 600 m2 in area.","A secondary suite is permitted only within a house."]},{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","section":"R1 zone s. 1","quotes":["Duplex Secondary Suite (must be located in a House)"]},{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","section":"R6 zone s. 13","quotes":["A secondary suite is permitted on a parcel of at least 300 m2."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Yes, a carriage house (a secondary dwelling unit in a secondary building) on a parcel of at least 1,300 m², in zones that list it, such as R1 to R5, Estate, Rural, Agriculture and some others.","short":"Yes, carriage house on parcel of at least 1,300 m²","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","section":"s. 2.1.2","quotes":["A carriage house is permitted only on a parcel at least 1,300 m2 in area."]},{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","section":"Definitions","quotes":["means a secondary dwelling unit located in a secondary building"]},{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","section":"R1 zone s. 1","quotes":["House Home Business Duplex Secondary Suite (must be located in a House) Rowhouse Carriage House Townhouse Apartment"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Maximum 90 m² floor area (excluding garage), 2 bedrooms and one kitchen. One suite or carriage house per house. Must be connected to municipal water and sewer, or a well and approved septic system. Cannot be strata-divided. No owner-occupancy rule found.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","section":"s. 2.1.3, 2.1.8","quotes":["The maximum gross floor area of a secondary suite or a carriage house, excluding the area of the garage, is 90 m2.","A secondary suite or carriage house is limited to a maximum of two bedrooms and one kitchen."]},{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","section":"s. 2.1.7","quotes":["must not be divided from the primary dwelling unit to create two separate parcels within a building strata"]},{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","section":"s. 2.1.4","quotes":["direct vehicle access to a highway, strata road or shared driveway"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"1 space per bedroom for a secondary suite or carriage house, signed 'secondary suite parking only' or 'carriage house parking only' and kept clear.","short":"1 space per bedroom","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","section":"s. 2.6.1 parking table","quotes":["Carriage House 1 per bedroom","Secondary Suite 1 per bedroom"]},{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","section":"s. 2.1.5, 2.1.6","quotes":["Onsite parking for a secondary suite or a carriage house must include signage that states","must remain free and clear of any encumbrance or other parked vehicles"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A suite generally needs a building permit, applied for through Cloudpermit; the 55 m² exemption excludes buildings with dwelling units. Home warranty registration is not needed for an attached suite added to an existing home. A development permit may also apply. Confirm with Planning, 250.933.8093.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7183.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), District of Lantzville","section":"Schedule A item 7","quotes":["Homeowner Protection Warranty (BC Housing New Home Registration Form) – required for all new dwelling units. Does not apply for manufactured homes or attached secondary suites added to an existing home."]},{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7183.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), District of Lantzville","section":"s. 2.4(c)","quotes":["a single storey standard building up to 55 m2 gross floor area that does not contain sleeping units or dwelling units"]},{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=888","title":"Building Permit, District of Lantzville","section":"Building Permit page","quotes":["If your property is located in a development permit area, a Development Permit application will still be required.","A Building Permit issued by the District is required to construct new buildings and structures, additions and renovations. To confirm if your project requires a building permit, please review the Building Bylaw or contact the Planning Department at planning@lantzville.ca or 250.933.8093."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"District of Lantzville Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (s. 2.1 Secondary Suites and Carriage Houses); Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","section":"s. 2.1","quotes":["SECONDARY SUITES AND CARRIAGE HOUSES"]},{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7183.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), District of Lantzville","section":"Title","quotes":["BUILDING BYLAW NO. 182, 2020"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nSection 2.1 of the District of Lantzville's [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf) sets the rules. A secondary suite (inside a house) is a secondary use in zones R1 to R6, Estate, Rural, Foothills, Agriculture and several special-area zones. The parcel must be at least 600 m² (300 m² in the R6 zone). A carriage house (a secondary dwelling in a secondary building) is allowed on a parcel of at least 1,300 m² in zones that list it, such as R1 to R5, Estate, Rural and Agriculture. A parcel gets one house and either one suite or one carriage house.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your zone and check that it lists a secondary suite or carriage house (see zoning-lookup).\n2. Confirm the parcel size and servicing: municipal water and sewer, or a well and approved septic system.\n3. Apply for a building permit through Cloudpermit (see building-permit). The 55 m² building exemption does not cover buildings with dwelling units.\n4. Confirm with Planning whether a development permit is also needed.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Limits: 90 m² maximum floor area (excluding garage), 2 bedrooms and one kitchen. The suite cannot be strata-divided.\n- Parking: 1 space per bedroom, signed for suite or carriage house parking only and kept clear.\n- Access: direct vehicle access to a highway, strata road or shared driveway built to Municipal standards.\n- A carriage house must not be a mobile home except on Rural or Estate parcels.\n- The bylaw states no owner-occupancy rule for suites.\n- Home warranty registration is not needed for an attached suite added to an existing home.\n- Planning: planning@lantzville.ca, 250-933-8093.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7183.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), District of Lantzville","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.lantzville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=888","title":"Building Permit, District of Lantzville","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","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/lantzville/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/secondary-suite.json"}}