Lantzville secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

Lantzville, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

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.

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).Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1.1, 2.1.9; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), R1 zone s. 1; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), R6 zone s. 13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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. Duplex Secondary Suite (must be located in a House) A secondary suite is permitted on a parcel of at least 300 m2.
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.Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1.2; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), Definitions; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), R1 zone s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording A carriage house is permitted only on a parcel at least 1,300 m2 in area. means a secondary dwelling unit located in a secondary building House Home Business Duplex Secondary Suite (must be located in a House) Rowhouse Carriage House Townhouse Apartment
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.Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1.3, 2.1.8; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1.7; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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. must not be divided from the primary dwelling unit to create two separate parcels within a building strata direct vehicle access to a highway, strata road or shared driveway
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.Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.6.1 parking table; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1.5, 2.1.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Carriage House 1 per bedroom Secondary Suite 1 per bedroom 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
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.Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule A item 7; Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 2.4(c); Building Permit, Building Permit page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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. a single storey standard building up to 55 m2 gross floor area that does not contain sleeping units or dwelling units 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.
Bylaw	District of Lantzville Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (s. 2.1 Secondary Suites and Carriage Houses); Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.1; Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording SECONDARY SUITES AND CARRIAGE HOUSES BUILDING BYLAW NO. 182, 2020

How it works

Section 2.1 of the District of Lantzville's Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 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

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

The same question in other places

Nanaimo · Parksville · Qualicum Beach · Sechelt · Ladysmith · Gibsons

Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville (read 2026-11-08)
Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), District of Lantzville (read 2026-11-08)
Building Permit, District of Lantzville (read 2026-11-08)

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