{"title":"Mackenzie secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/mackenzie","name":"Mackenzie","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 Mackenzie","url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca"},"short_answer":"In Mackenzie, attached suites (such as a basement suite) are allowed in the A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1 and R2 zones, on a parcel with a single-detached dwelling, one suite per parcel. Detached suites (garden or garage suites) are allowed in the same zones with limits. A building permit and a business licence are required.","aliases":["basement suite mackenzie","secondary suite district of mackenzie","garden suite mackenzie bc","carriage house mackenzie"],"cost":"Building permit fees start at $50 (see building-permit-fees); the annual suite business licence fee is not stated separately in the bylaws we read.","how_long":"Not stated by the District.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Public Works (Building Inspection)","value":"250-997-3761"},{"type":"phone","label":"District Main Office (Corporate Services)","value":"250-997-3221"},{"type":"in_person","label":"District Main Office","value":"1 Mackenzie Boulevard, Mackenzie, BC V0J 2C0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF)","url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf"},{"title":"Building Permits, District of Mackenzie","url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Mackenzie building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Mackenzie building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Mackenzie zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Mackenzie business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/business-licence/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Mackenzie short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Mackenzie permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/chetwynd","name":"Chetwynd","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hudsons-hope","name":"Hudson's Hope","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/tumbler-ridge","name":"Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fort-st-james","name":"Fort St James","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vanderhoof","name":"Vanderhoof","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/prince-george","name":"Prince George","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/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":"Attached suites (such as a basement suite) are allowed as an accessory use in the A1, A2, RR1, RR2 and R1 zones, and in R2, only on a parcel with a single-detached dwelling. They are not listed in R3, RM or commercial zones. One suite per parcel.","short":"Yes, in A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1 and R2 zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Suites (Section 4)","quotes":["Suites shall be considered an accessory use to a single-detached dwelling and are only permitted on parcels containing a single-detached dwelling.","Only one suite per parcel is permitted in zones that permit suites as an accessory use."]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1 and R2 use lists","quotes":["iv. Suite, attached v. Suite, detached","vi. Suite, attached vii. Suite, detached","xi. Suite, attached xii. Suite, detached","x. Suite, attached xi. Suite, detached","vii. Suite, attached viii. Suite, detached"]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"R2 other regulations","quotes":["containing a single-detached dwelling"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Detached suites (garden or garage suites) are allowed in the A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1 and R2 zones. In R1 and R2 only garden suites; in R1, none above a detached garage. Must be in the rear yard, with an exception for a suite on top of an existing detached garage.","short":"Yes, in A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1, R2; R1 and R2 garden only","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"R1 and R2 other regulations","quotes":["Detached suites in the R1 zone must be garden suites. Detached suites above a detached garage are not permitted.","Attached suites and detached suites in the form of garden suites are only permitted on parcels"]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Detached Suites (Section 4)","quotes":["Shall be located in the rear yard, with the exception of a suite on top of an existing detached garage"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"One suite per parcel. Attached suite: at least 40 m², at most 90 m² or 40% of the house's gross floor area, with its own entrance. Detached suite: up to 60 m², no basement, 5.0 m high (6.6 m if on a second storey). Not allowed on a parcel with a B&B or home occupation. Rentals must exceed one month.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Suites, Attached Suites, Detached Suites (Section 4)","quotes":["Be a minimum of 40 metres² in size and not exceed 90 metres² or 40% of the gross floor","Shall not exceed a gross floor area of 60 metres²","Basements are prohibited in detached suites","Suites may only be rented for periods longer than one month in duration.","Suites are not permitted on parcels that contain the following accessory uses:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"One off-street parking space on the parcel, in addition to the spaces required for the single-detached dwelling.","short":"1 space, plus the dwelling's spaces","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Suites item 5 (Section 4)","quotes":["One off-street parking space must be provided on-site for a parcel that contains a suite"]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Table 3 (Section 5)","quotes":["1 space per dwelling unit in addition to principal"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"The suite must be registered with the District and hold an annual business licence, and must meet the BC Building Code and pass the District's building inspection. A building permit is needed before construction. The District says a valid development permit is needed before applying for a building permit for a building or structure.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Suites items 1 and 6 (Section 4)","quotes":["All suites must be must be registered with the District of Mackenzie and receive an annual Business Licence.","must meet the BC Building Code requirements and pass inspection from the"]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"s. 9.1.1","quotes":["any new construction, repair, reconstruction"]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/","title":"Building Permits, District of Mackenzie","section":"Development Permits","quotes":["You are required to have a valid development permit before you can apply for a building permit to construct a building or structure"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (Suites, and the A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1 and R2 zones); Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/government-town-hall/bylaws-and-regulations/","title":"Bylaws and Regulations, District of Mackenzie","section":"Frequently requested bylaws","quotes":["Bylaw No. 1066, Amended by 1185, 1320","Bylaw No. 1368, Amended by 1517, 1518"]}],"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 District of Mackenzie's [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf) allows attached suites in the A1, A2, RR1, RR2 and R1 zones as an accessory use, and in R2, only on a parcel with a single-detached dwelling. Suites are not listed in R3, RM or commercial zones. Detached suites (garden or garage suites) are allowed in A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1 and R2. In R1 and R2 only garden suites are allowed, and in R1 none above a detached garage. A detached suite must be in the rear yard, with an exception for a suite on top of an existing detached garage.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your zone and that the parcel has a single-detached dwelling.\n2. Check the size limits below.\n3. Get a valid development permit if the District requires one first, then a building permit (see the building-permit answer).\n4. Register the suite with the District and get an annual business licence.\n5. Have the suite pass the District's building inspection.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- One suite per parcel. One extra off-street parking space is required, in addition to the spaces for the house.\n- Attached suite: at least 40 m², at most 90 m² or 40% of the house's gross floor area, with its own entrance.\n- Detached suite: up to 60 m², no basement, 5.0 m high (6.6 m if on a second storey).\n- Not allowed on a parcel with a bed and breakfast or home occupation. Rentals must be longer than one month. A suite cannot be subdivided or strata titled.\n- The Zoning Bylaw has no owner-occupancy rule that we found.\n- The suite must meet the BC Building Code.","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/","title":"Building Permits, District of Mackenzie","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/government-town-hall/bylaws-and-regulations/","title":"Bylaws and Regulations, District of Mackenzie","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/mackenzie/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/secondary-suite.json"}}