{"title":"Lions Bay secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Lions Bay?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/lions-bay","name":"Lions Bay","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":"Village of Lions Bay","url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca"},"short_answer":"In Lions Bay a secondary suite is allowed in a single detached house in the RS-1 zone, up to 90 m² or 40 percent of the house, whichever is less. It needs a building permit and inspection. A detached \"cottage\" is allowed only on parcels of at least 1,000 m² with a covenant and amenities.","aliases":["secondary suite lions bay","basement suite lions bay","cottage lions bay","legal suite lions bay"],"cost":"Building permit fees apply (see building-permit-fees). Suite inspection: the first plus one additional are free, then $80 an hour. A utility surcharge applies.","how_long":"The Village does not state a processing time.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Building Services","value":"604-921-9333 ext. 1009"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Services","value":"building@lionsbay.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Secondary Suites, Village of Lions Bay","url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/building-services/secondary-suites"},{"title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 520, 2017 (PDF)","url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-07/Bylaw%20520%20-%20Zoning%20and%20Development%20Certified%20%20%28Consolidation%20BL650%29.pdf"},{"title":"Secondary Suite Surcharge Bylaw No. 513 (PDF)","url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2025-10/Bylaw%20513%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Surcharge%20Bylaw%20%28Consolidation%20654%29.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Lions Bay building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Lions Bay building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Lions Bay short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Lions Bay zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/west-vancouver","name":"West Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/bowen-island","name":"Bowen Island","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver-district","name":"District of North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver","name":"North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/gibsons","name":"Gibsons","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/squamish","name":"Squamish","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/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, in the RS-1 (single detached residential) zone, as residential use in a dwelling with a secondary suite. The Village says suites are permitted in all neighbourhoods. A suite may be up to 90 m² or 40 percent of the house's floor area, whichever is less. Not for short-term rental.","short":"Yes, in RS-1 zone","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-07/Bylaw%20520%20-%20Zoning%20and%20Development%20Certified%20%20%28Consolidation%20BL650%29.pdf","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 520, 2017 (Consolidation BL650) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay","section":"s. 7.1.1(b), 7.9.2","quotes":["residential use in a dwelling with secondary suite;","A secondary suite shall not exceed a gross floor area of 90 m2 or 40 percent of the"]},{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/building-services/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, Village of Lions Bay","section":"intro","quotes":["They are permitted in all neighbourhoods of Lions Bay through Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 520, 2017"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"A 'cottage' is allowed in the RS-1 zone on parcels of at least 1,000 m², but only where a covenant and amenities under the Community Amenity Contribution Policy are provided. It may not exceed a floor area ratio of 0.35 or 115 m², whichever is less, or a height of 9.0 m (sloping roof) or 7.5 m (flat roof).","short":"Only cottage in RS-1, parcels 1,000 m²+, with covenant","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-07/Bylaw%20520%20-%20Zoning%20and%20Development%20Certified%20%20%28Consolidation%20BL650%29.pdf","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 520, 2017 (Consolidation BL650) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay","section":"s. 7.3.2, 7.9.3","quotes":["to accommodate a cottage on parcels having a minimum area of 1,000 m2, where a covenant and amenities","A cottage shall not exceed the floor area ratio in section 7.4.2 or 115m2, whichever is less"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"No more than one secondary suite or one cottage per parcel, not both. Suite: 90 m² or 40 percent of the house, whichever is less. An accessory building may not be a dwelling or have a kitchen. Unless unoccupied, or occupied by the owner's immediate family or a volunteer firefighter, a 40 percent utility surcharge applies.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-07/Bylaw%20520%20-%20Zoning%20and%20Development%20Certified%20%20%28Consolidation%20BL650%29.pdf","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 520, 2017 (Consolidation BL650) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay","section":"s. 7.9.1, 4.5.5, 4.5.6","quotes":["No more than one secondary suite or one cottage, but not both, shall be located on a","An accessory building or structure shall not be used as a dwelling unit.","No accessory building or structure shall include kitchen facilities."]},{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2025-10/Bylaw%20513%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Surcharge%20Bylaw%20%28Consolidation%20654%29.pdf","title":"Secondary Suite Surcharge Bylaw No. 513 (Consolidation 654) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay","section":"s. 5, 6","quotes":["If a property contains a secondary suite, regardless of whether or not it has","The rate of the secondary suite surcharge shall be 40% of the property’s utility billing for garbage"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"3 off-street spaces for a single detached dwelling with a secondary suite (2 without). A cottage needs 2.","short":"3 spaces with a suite (2 without)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-07/Bylaw%20520%20-%20Zoning%20and%20Development%20Certified%20%20%28Consolidation%20BL650%29.pdf","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 520, 2017 (Consolidation BL650) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay","section":"s. 4.13, Table 1","quotes":["2 for each Single Detached Dwelling","without a Secondary Suite and 3 for each","Cottage 2 per cottage"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"The Village's page lists 'Finishing a basement, e.g. adding a Secondary Suite' as needing a building permit. All secondary suites, new or existing, must be inspected and approved, and owners must declare suites each year with their utility notice.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/building-services/building-permits","title":"Building Permits, Village of Lions Bay","section":"examples","quotes":["Finishing a basement, e.g. adding a Secondary Suite"]},{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/building-services/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, Village of Lions Bay","section":"Inspections","quotes":["All Secondary Suites, whether new or existing, and whether occupied by a family member or a non-family member, must be inspected and approved."]},{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2025-10/Bylaw%20513%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Surcharge%20Bylaw%20%28Consolidation%20654%29.pdf","title":"Secondary Suite Surcharge Bylaw No. 513 (Consolidation 654) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay","section":"s. 7","quotes":["all property owners must certify:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 520, 2017 (s. 7.1, 7.9, Table 1); Building Bylaw No. 649, 2026; Secondary Suite Surcharge Bylaw No. 513, 2017.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-07/Bylaw%20520%20-%20Zoning%20and%20Development%20Certified%20%20%28Consolidation%20BL650%29.pdf","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 520, 2017 (Consolidation BL650) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as “Zoning and Development Bylaw No.520, 2017\"."]},{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2025-10/Bylaw%20513%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Surcharge%20Bylaw%20%28Consolidation%20654%29.pdf","title":"Secondary Suite Surcharge Bylaw No. 513 (Consolidation 654) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as \"Secondary Suite Surcharge Bylaw No. 513,","2017\"."]}],"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\nThe Village of Lions Bay allows a secondary suite (a dwelling unit completely contained within a single detached house) in the RS-1 zone, and says suites are permitted in all neighbourhoods, under its [Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 520, 2017](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-07/Bylaw%20520%20-%20Zoning%20and%20Development%20Certified%20%20%28Consolidation%20BL650%29.pdf). A suite may be up to 90 m² or 40 percent of the house's floor area, whichever is less. You may have one secondary suite or one cottage per parcel, not both.\n\nA detached \"cottage\" is allowed in RS-1 on parcels of at least 1,000 m², but only where a covenant and amenities under the Community Amenity Contribution Policy are provided. It may not exceed a floor area ratio of 0.35 or 115 m², whichever is less, or a height of 9.0 m (sloping roof) or 7.5 m (flat roof). Garden suites and coach houses are not named in the bylaw.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Ask Building Services what your project needs.\n2. Apply for a building permit; the Village lists finishing a basement, for example adding a secondary suite, as needing one.\n3. Have the suite inspected and approved. All suites, new or existing, must be.\n4. Declare the suite each year with your utility notice.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Parking: 3 off-street spaces for a house with a suite (2 without); a cottage needs 2. The Village says tandem parking can meet the requirement.\n- A suite cannot be rented short term.\n- An accessory building may not be a dwelling or have a kitchen.\n- A 40 percent utility surcharge applies, unless the suite is unoccupied or occupied by the owner's immediate family or a volunteer firefighter. Failing to report a suite or making a false report can bring a court fine of $2,000 to $10,000 ([Bylaw 513](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2025-10/Bylaw%20513%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Surcharge%20Bylaw%20%28Consolidation%20654%29.pdf)).\n- The Village's Secondary Suites page still refers to Building Bylaw No. 234, which Building Bylaw No. 649 replaced. Confirm current requirements with Building Services.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/building-services/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, Village of Lions Bay","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-07/Bylaw%20520%20-%20Zoning%20and%20Development%20Certified%20%20%28Consolidation%20BL650%29.pdf","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 520, 2017 (Consolidation BL650) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2025-10/Bylaw%20513%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Surcharge%20Bylaw%20%28Consolidation%20654%29.pdf","title":"Secondary Suite Surcharge Bylaw No. 513 (Consolidation 654) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/building-services/building-permits","title":"Building Permits, Village of Lions Bay","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-06/Bylaw%20497%20-%20Fees%20%28Consolidation%20BL665%29.pdf","title":"Fees Bylaw No. 497, 2016 (Consolidation BL665) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay","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/lions-bay/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/secondary-suite.json"}}