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

# Mackenzie secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Mackenzie, https://districtofmackenzie.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Public Works (Building Inspection), 250-997-3761
- Phone: District Main Office (Corporate Services), 250-997-3221
- In person: District Main Office, 1 Mackenzie Boulevard, Mackenzie, BC V0J 2C0 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, Suites (Section 4)](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1 and R2 use lists](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, R2 other regulations](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf)
  - Official wording: "containing a single-detached dwelling"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, R1 and R2 other regulations](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, Detached Suites (Section 4)](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Shall be located in the rear yard, with the exception of a suite on top of an existing detached garage"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, Suites, Attached Suites, Detached Suites (Section 4)](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Parking:** One off-street parking space on the parcel, in addition to the spaces required for the single-detached dwelling.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, Suites item 5 (Section 4)](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf)
  - Official wording: "One off-street parking space must be provided on-site for a parcel that contains a suite"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, Table 3 (Section 5)](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf)
  - Official wording: "1 space per dwelling unit in addition to principal"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, Suites items 1 and 6 (Section 4)](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000, s. 9.1.1](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "any new construction, repair, reconstruction"
  - Source: [Building Permits, Development Permits](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "You are required to have a valid development permit before you can apply for a building permit to construct a building or structure"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (Suites, and the A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1 and R2 zones); Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000.
  - Source: [Bylaws and Regulations, Frequently requested bylaws](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/government-town-hall/bylaws-and-regulations/)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 1066, Amended by 1185, 1320" … "Bylaw No. 1368, Amended by 1517, 1518"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The 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.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone and that the parcel has a single-detached dwelling.
2. Check the size limits below.
3. Get a valid development permit if the District requires one first, then a building permit (see the building-permit answer).
4. Register the suite with the District and get an annual business licence.
5. Have the suite pass the District's building inspection.

## Good to know

- One suite per parcel. One extra off-street parking space is required, in addition to the spaces for the house.
- 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 bed and breakfast or home occupation. Rentals must be longer than one month. A suite cannot be subdivided or strata titled.
- The Zoning Bylaw has no owner-occupancy rule that we found.
- The suite must meet the BC Building Code.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF)](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf)
- [Building Permits, District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/)

## Related questions

- [Mackenzie building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/building-permit.md)
- [Mackenzie building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Mackenzie zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Mackenzie business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/business-licence.md)
- [Mackenzie short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/short-term-rental.md)
- [Mackenzie permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/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)
- [Chetwynd](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/secondary-suite.md)
- [Hudson's Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/secondary-suite.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/secondary-suite.md)
- [Fort St James](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/secondary-suite.md)
- [Vanderhoof](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/secondary-suite.md)
- [Prince George](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000 (PDF), District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permits, District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaws and Regulations, District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/government-town-hall/bylaws-and-regulations/) (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 Mackenzie. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/secondary-suite/_