---
title: Lantzville secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Lantzville?"
place: Lantzville, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/lantzville
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Lantzville
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/secondary-suite.json"
---

# Lantzville secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Lantzville, https://www.lantzville.ca)  
**Cost:** Building permit fees are not confirmed. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The District does not state a processing time.  
**Where:**
- Email: Planning Department, planning@lantzville.ca
- Phone: Planning Department, 250-933-8093
- In person: Municipal Hall, 7192 Lantzville Road, Lantzville, BC V0R 2H0 (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)

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** 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).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1.1, 2.1.9](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A secondary suite is permitted only on a parcel at least 600 m2 in area." … "A secondary suite is permitted only within a house."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), R1 zone s. 1](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Duplex Secondary Suite (must be located in a House)"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), R6 zone s. 13](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A secondary suite is permitted on a parcel of at least 300 m2."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1.2](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A carriage house is permitted only on a parcel at least 1,300 m2 in area."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), Definitions](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
  - Official wording: "means a secondary dwelling unit located in a secondary building"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), R1 zone s. 1](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
  - Official wording: "House Home Business Duplex Secondary Suite (must be located in a House) Rowhouse Carriage House Townhouse Apartment"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1.3, 2.1.8](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1.7](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
  - Official wording: "must not be divided from the primary dwelling unit to create two separate parcels within a building strata"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1.4](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
  - Official wording: "direct vehicle access to a highway, strata road or shared driveway"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Parking:** 1 space per bedroom for a secondary suite or carriage house, signed 'secondary suite parking only' or 'carriage house parking only' and kept clear.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.6.1 parking table](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Carriage House 1 per bedroom" … "Secondary Suite 1 per bedroom"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1.5, 2.1.6](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permits:** 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.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule A item 7](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7183.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 2.4(c)](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7183.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a single storey standard building up to 55 m2 gross floor area that does not contain sleeping units or dwelling units"
  - Source: [Building Permit, Building Permit page](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=888)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** District of Lantzville Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (s. 2.1 Secondary Suites and Carriage Houses); Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SECONDARY SUITES AND CARRIAGE HOUSES"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), Title](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7183.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW NO. 182, 2020"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Section 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.

## Steps

1. Find your zone and check that it lists a secondary suite or carriage house (see zoning-lookup).
2. Confirm the parcel size and servicing: municipal water and sewer, or a well and approved septic system.
3. Apply for a building permit through Cloudpermit (see building-permit). The 55 m² building exemption does not cover buildings with dwelling units.
4. Confirm with Planning whether a development permit is also needed.

## Good to know

- Limits: 90 m² maximum floor area (excluding garage), 2 bedrooms and one kitchen. The suite cannot be strata-divided.
- Parking: 1 space per bedroom, signed for suite or carriage house parking only and kept clear.
- Access: direct vehicle access to a highway, strata road or shared driveway built to Municipal standards.
- A carriage house must not be a mobile home except on Rural or Estate parcels.
- The bylaw states no owner-occupancy rule for suites.
- Home warranty registration is not needed for an attached suite added to an existing home.
- Planning: planning@lantzville.ca, 250-933-8093.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf)
- [Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), District of Lantzville](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7183.pdf)
- [Building Permit, District of Lantzville](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=888)

## Related questions

- [Lantzville building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/building-permit.md)
- [Lantzville zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Lantzville permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/secondary-suite.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/secondary-suite.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/secondary-suite.md)
- [Sechelt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/secondary-suite.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/secondary-suite.md)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7360.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), District of Lantzville](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID478atID7183.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permit, District of Lantzville](https://www.lantzville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=888) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 District of Lantzville. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/secondary-suite/_