{"title":"Lillooet secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Lillooet?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/lillooet","name":"Lillooet","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 Lillooet","url":"https://www.lillooet.ca"},"short_answer":"In Lillooet a secondary suite inside a house is a listed accessory use in the ALR, AG, RR, SR, R-1 and R-2 zones. A detached Accessory Dwelling is allowed in more zones, with size limits. You need a building permit to add a suite. Parking is one space per suite.","aliases":["secondary suite lillooet","basement suite lillooet","carriage house lillooet","accessory dwelling lillooet"],"cost":"Building permit fees apply. The Fees Bylaw value rate for a secondary suite is $1,345/m². See the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"About 2-4 weeks for a building permit once the application is complete.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Planning Technician","value":"planning@lillooet.ca"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Official","value":"building@lillooet.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"615 Main Street, Lillooet, BC","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed statutory holidays."},{"type":"phone","label":"District office","value":"250-256-4289"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026","url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/94551/"},{"title":"Building Permits, District of Lillooet","url":"https://www.lillooet.ca/building-permits"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Lillooet building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Lillooet building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Lillooet zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/ashcroft","name":"Ashcroft","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cache-creek","name":"Cache Creek","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cache-creek/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/logan-lake","name":"Logan Lake","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/logan-lake/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/clinton","name":"Clinton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clinton/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lytton","name":"Lytton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lytton/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/pemberton","name":"Pemberton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pemberton/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":"Secondary Suite is a listed accessory use in the ALR, AG, RR, SR, R-1 and R-2 zones; one is also permitted in the MHP zone with a single detached dwelling. A secondary suite is a second dwelling unit entirely within a single detached dwelling, with its own exterior door.","short":"Yes, in ALR, AG, RR, SR, R-1 and R-2 zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/94551/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026, District of Lillooet","section":"ss. 10.3.10, 11.3.10, 12.3.9, 13.3.6, 14.3.5, 15.3.5","quotes":["ALR AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE ZONE 10.3.10 Secondary Suite. 10.4 Minimum Lot Area for Subdivision: 10.4.1 8.0 hectares.","11.3.8 Farm Product Processing; 11.3.9 Farm Product Retail Sales; 11.3.10 Secondary Suite; 11.3.11 Short-Term Rental. Page 54 of 122","12.3.7 Home Occupation; 12.3.8 Home Industry; 12.3.9 Secondary Suite; 12.3.10 Short-Term Rental. Page 57 of 122","13.3.4 Home Occupation; 13.3.5 Home Industry; 13.3.6 Secondary Suite; 13.3.7 Short-Term Rental. 13.4 Minimum Lot Area for Subdivision:","14.3.3 Accessory Dwelling; 14.3.4 Home Occupation; 14.3.5 Secondary Suite; 14.3.6 Short-Term Rental. 14.4 Minimum Lot Area for Subdivision:","15.3.3 Accessory Dwelling; 15.3.4 Home Occupation; 15.3.5 Secondary Suite; 15.3.6 Short-Term Rental. 15.4 Minimum Lot Area for Subdivision:"]},{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/94551/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026, District of Lillooet","section":"s. 17.7.2","quotes":["One (1) Secondary Suite is permitted (which is secondary to the Single Detached Dwelling);"]},{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/94551/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026, District of Lillooet","section":"s. 30 Definitions","quotes":["means a second Dwelling Unit that is located entirely within a Single Detached Dwelling"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"An Accessory Dwelling (detached) is an accessory use in the ALR, AG, RR, SR, R-1, R-2, RM and MC zones. One per parcel unless the zone says otherwise; it cannot contain a suite. Max 125 m² and no larger than the main dwelling, except ALR (90 m² under 40 ha) and AG (250 m² or 50% of the house). Needs municipal sewer and water, or a lot over 2,000 m² (municipal water, septic) or over 10,000 m² (own water and septic).","short":"Yes, accessory dwelling in ALR, AG, RR, SR, R-1, R-2, RM, MC","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/94551/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026, District of Lillooet","section":"s. 6.2","quotes":["Unless specifically permitted, only one (1) Accessory Dwelling is permitted per Parcel.","Accessory Dwellings shall not contain Secondary Suites.","No Accessory Dwelling shall have a Floor Area greater than 125 m2, except in the ALR Zone or unless otherwise specified in this Bylaw.","On any sized Parcel where allowed in this Bylaw if connected to a municipal sewer system and municipal water;","On parcels more than 2000 m2 if connected to municipal water and onsite sewage; or","On parcels more than 10,000 m2 (1 hectare) in area if connected to an on-site sewage and on-site water system.","One (1) Accessory Dwelling, or Secondary Suite per Lot, and the total Gross Floor Area of a Secondary Suite or Accessory Dwelling shall not exceed:","50% of the Gross Floor Area of the Single Detached Dwelling."]},{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/94551/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026, District of Lillooet","section":"s. 14.3.3","quotes":["14.3.1 Agriculture, Urban; 14.3.2 Accessory Building or Accessory Structure; 14.3.3 Accessory Dwelling; 14.3.4 Home Occupation; 14.3.5 Secondary Suite;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Depends on the zone. ALR, AG and R-1: one suite or one accessory dwelling, not both (R-1 may have a duplex instead). SR: one suite (plus an accessory dwelling on lots of 2,000 m² or more). RR: two suites. R-2: a house with one suite and one accessory dwelling, or a duplex with a suite per unit. A suite must share an uninterrupted foundation and roof with the house. AG: max 250 m² or 50% of the house.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/94551/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026, District of Lillooet","section":"ss. 6.9.2, 12.6.1.2, 14.6.1.1, 15.6.1.1, 11.6.1.2","quotes":["A Secondary Suite must share a common uninterrupted foundation and roof with the Principal Dwelling Unit in the Permitted Dwelling","Two (2) Secondary Suites per Lot.","One (1) Accessory Dwelling, or Secondary Suite; or","One (1) Single Detached Dwelling, One (1) Secondary Suite, and One (1) Accessory Dwelling;","250 m2; or","50% of the Gross Floor Area of the Single Detached Dwelling.","One (1) Accessory Dwelling, or Secondary Suite per Lot, and the total Gross Floor Area of a Secondary Suite or Accessory Dwelling shall not exceed:","One (1) Duplex Dwelling (two units) and One (1) Secondary Suite per unit;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"One space per suite (1 per dwelling unit), and it cannot be in a tandem arrangement with other spaces. An accessory dwelling also needs 1 space per dwelling unit.","short":"1 space per suite, not in tandem","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/94551/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026, District of Lillooet","section":"Table 8.1; s. 6.9.1","quotes":["Secondary Suite 1 per Dwelling unit","Accessory Dwelling 1 per Dwelling unit","A Parking Space for a Secondary Suite shall not be provided in a Tandem Parking arrangement"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is needed to add a suite. A separate suite or development permit requirement is not stated; check the Development Permit Areas Map for the property.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lillooet.ca/building-permits","title":"Building Permits, District of Lillooet","section":"Examples of Projects That Require a Building Permit","quotes":["### Examples of Projects That Require a Building Permit - Additions - Adding a suite - Finishing basements - New deck/porch/stairs or replacements"]},{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/102362/","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2021-003, current to April 22, 2026, District of Lillooet","section":"Schedule 4, s. 3.0","quotes":["$1,076.00 (heated) Sundeck (no roof) $430.00 Roof Only $323.00 Unenclosed Structure or Carport $377.00 Secondary Suite $1,345.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"District of Lillooet Zoning Bylaw 2025-026 (ss. 6.2, 6.9, Part 8 and the zone sections); Building Bylaw 2021-006.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/94551/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026, District of Lillooet","section":"s. 1.1.1","quotes":["District of Lillooet Zoning Bylaw 2025-026."]},{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/97828/","title":"Building Bylaw 2021-006, consolidated to June 4, 2025, District of Lillooet","section":"s. 1.1.1","quotes":["District of Lillooet Building Bylaw 2021-006"]}],"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\nUnder the [Zoning Bylaw 2025-026](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/94551/), a secondary suite is a second dwelling unit entirely within a single detached dwelling, with its own exterior door. It is a listed accessory use in the ALR, AG, RR, SR, R-1 and R-2 zones. One is also permitted in the MHP zone with a single detached dwelling. It is not listed in the RM zone. A suite must share an uninterrupted foundation and roof with the house, but the roof may be interrupted when the suite is built over an attached garage or carport.\n\nA detached Accessory Dwelling is an accessory use in the ALR, AG, RR, SR, R-1, R-2, RM and MC zones. It is one per parcel unless the zone says otherwise, and it cannot contain a suite. It is limited to 125 m² and no larger than the main dwelling, with exceptions for ALR (90 m² under 40 ha) and AG (250 m² or 50% of the house). It needs municipal sewer and water, or a lot over 2,000 m² (municipal water, septic) or over 10,000 m² (own water and septic).\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your zone and check its limits (see the zoning-lookup answer).\n2. Ask the Planning Technician (planning@lillooet.ca) whether a development permit area applies to your lot.\n3. Apply for a building permit by email to building@lillooet.ca.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Limits depend on the zone. ALR, AG and R-1: one suite or one accessory dwelling, not both (R-1 may have a duplex instead). SR: one suite, plus an accessory dwelling on lots of 2,000 m² or more. RR: two suites. R-2: a house with one suite and one accessory dwelling, or a duplex with a suite per unit.\n- Parking: one space per suite and one per accessory dwelling; a suite space cannot be in a tandem arrangement with other spaces.\n- Density is also subject to the availability of municipal services.\n- The Zoning Bylaw's owner-occupancy rules for suites were not found; ask the District to confirm.","sources":[{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/94551/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026, District of Lillooet","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/97828/","title":"Building Bylaw 2021-006, consolidated to June 4, 2025, District of Lillooet","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/102362/","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2021-003, current to April 22, 2026, District of Lillooet","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.lillooet.ca/building-permits","title":"Building Permits, District of Lillooet","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/lillooet/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/secondary-suite.json"}}