{"title":"Maple Ridge secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/maple-ridge","name":"Maple Ridge","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":"City of Maple Ridge","url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes, in zones that list them. The City of Maple Ridge allows one secondary suite inside a principal dwelling and a Detached Garden Suite (its name for a carriage house) in the rear yard. New construction or renovation needs a building permit. If both units are rented, you need a business licence.","aliases":["basement suite maple ridge","detached garden suite maple ridge","carriage house maple ridge","laneway house maple ridge","legal suite maple ridge"],"cost":"Building permit fees apply (see building-permit-fees). The fee schedule lists a $250 Secondary Suite Registration fee. If both units are rented, the business licence has a one-time $500 application review fee plus the licence fee.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Planning","value":"604-467-7341"},{"type":"email","label":"Planning","value":"Planning@MapleRidge.ca"},{"type":"online","label":"Citizen Portal (building permit)","value":"https://citizenportal.mapleridge.ca/citizenportal/app/landing"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building general inquiries","value":"604-467-7311"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Secondary Suites (City page)","url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/planning-land-use/community-planning/housing-ready/secondary-suites"},{"title":"Detached Garden Suites (City page)","url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/planning-land-use/community-planning/housing-ready/detached-garden-suites"},{"title":"Detached Garden Suite Guide (PDF)","url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/detached-garden-suite-guide"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019 (PDF)","url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-7600-2019"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Maple Ridge building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/building-permit/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Maple Ridge short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Maple Ridge zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Maple Ridge business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/business-licence/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/pitt-meadows","name":"Pitt Meadows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/anmore","name":"Anmore","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/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":"As an accessory use inside a principal dwelling (one suite per house) in zones that list it, such as RS-1, and under Urban Infill Residential rules inside the Urban Containment Boundary. The City says single detached, duplex and triplex buildings. Not in a floodplain unless the floor is above flood level.","short":"Yes, in zones that list it (one per house)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-7600-2019","title":"Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019 (PDF)","section":"definition; s. 402.24; 402.29(2); 605.3","quotes":["is limited to one Secondary Suite per Principal Residential Use.","shall be contained within a Principal Residential Dwelling Unit;","Accessory Residential Uses: (i) Secondary Suite Residential;","shall not be permitted on a Lot situated within a Floodplain Area unless the underside of the finished floor system of the Secondary Suite Residential Use is above the established minimum Flood Construction Level."]},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements","title":"Home Improvements, City of Maple Ridge","section":"Secondary Suites","quotes":["Secondary Suites are permitted in single detached, two-unit (duplex), and triplex residential buildings subject to meeting the BC Building Code regulations."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Called a Detached Garden Suite. Allowed as an accessory use in zones that list it (such as RS-1) and under Urban Infill rules. Must be in the rear yard, one storey (or second storey over an accessory or parking use in some cases), no basement, not strata-titled or subdivided, and not on lots with boarding, caretaker, agricultural employee or tourist accommodation use.","short":"Yes, Detached Garden Suite in zones that list it","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-7600-2019","title":"Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 402.11; 402.29(2); 605.3","quotes":["shall only be located within the Rear Yard of a Principal Residential Use, and","shall be limited to one Storey;","shall not be strata-titled or subdivided;","(ii) Detached Garden Suite Residential;","Agricultural Employee Residential, Boarding, Caretaker Residential, or Tourist Accommodation Use on the same Lot;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"One suite per principal dwelling, inside it; the City page says at most 40% of the building's gross floor area. Detached garden suite: up to 140 m² or 15% of lot area, whichever is less (90 m² in the ALR); one or two per lot per the City guide. If the owner lives elsewhere, a business licence and Good Neighbour Agreement are required.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-7600-2019","title":"Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 402.24, 402.11(3)","quotes":["shall not be strata-titled; and","not more than 140.0 square metres or 15% of the Lot Area, whichever is less","not more than 90.0 square metres or 15% of the Lot Area, whichever is less, for Lots within the Agricultural Land Reserve"]},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements","title":"Home Improvements, City of Maple Ridge","section":"Secondary Suites","quotes":["A Secondary Suite cannot exceed 40% of the total Gross Floor Area of the principal residential building in which it is located."]},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/detached-garden-suite-guide","title":"Detached Garden Suite Guide (PDF), City of Maple Ridge","section":"DGS Guide, items 1 and 20","quotes":["One or two DGS Residential Use allowed per residential or agricultural zoned lots","Should the property owner not reside on the property"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"Secondary suite: 1 space for the suite (Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 7970-2023, s. 2.07). No space is required on lots over 281 m² with up to 6 units within 400 m of a bus stop, or in a Transit-Oriented Area. Detached garden suite: 1 space, not tandem, always accessible.","short":"1 space per suite (none in some areas)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/detached-garden-suite-guide","title":"Detached Garden Suite Guide (PDF), City of Maple Ridge","section":"DGS Guide, item 11","quotes":["One parking space dedicated exclusively to the DGS residents, as regulated under the Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw. It must not be tandem and must have unobstructed access and egress at all times"]},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/planning-land-use/community-planning/housing-ready/detached-garden-suites","title":"Detached Garden Suites, City of Maple Ridge","section":"Detached Garden Suite Regulations","quotes":["One parking off-street parking space must be dedicated to the detached garden suite"]},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/maple-ridge-street-parking-and-loading-bylaw-no-7970-2023","title":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/maple-ridge-street-parking-and-loading-bylaw-no-7970-2023","section":"s. 2.07.1 table A; 2.07.2; 2.07.3","quotes":["1 space per Dwelling Unit","Secondary Suite Residential; 1 space per Dwelling Unit","the minimum Parking Space requirements listed in Section 2.07.1 shall not apply to Residential Uses"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is required for any new construction or renovation of a secondary suite or detached garden suite (for example adding a kitchen, bedrooms, plumbing or electrical, fire separation, or egress windows). A business licence is needed if both units are rented (one-time $500 application review fee plus licence fee).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/planning-land-use/community-planning/housing-ready/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, City of Maple Ridge","section":"Secondary Suites page","quotes":["Building permits are required for any new construction or renovation of a secondary suite.","A Business Licence is required if there are two rental units on the property.","there is a one-time Application Review Fee of $500."]},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements","title":"Home Improvements, City of Maple Ridge","section":"Do I Need a Permit for a Secondary Suite?","quotes":["Adding a kitchen","Installing new plumbing or electrical","Creating required fire separation"]},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/planning-land-use/community-planning/housing-ready/detached-garden-suites","title":"Detached Garden Suites, City of Maple Ridge","section":"Detached Garden Suites page","quotes":["Building permits are required for any new construction or renovation of a detached garden suite."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 7600-2019, s. 402.24 (Secondary Suite Residential) and s. 402.11 (Detached Garden Suite Residential); Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-7600-2019","title":"Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 402.24, 402.11","quotes":["402.24 Secondary Suite Residential","402.11 Detached Garden Suite Residential"]},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026","title":"Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nA secondary suite is a self-contained unit inside a principal dwelling. A Detached Garden Suite is a small separate home on the same lot, in the rear yard. Both are accessory uses in zones that list them, such as RS-1, and under Urban Infill Residential rules inside the Urban Containment Boundary (Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019, sections [402.24 and 402.11](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-7600-2019)). The City says suites are allowed in single detached, duplex and triplex buildings. Neither is allowed in a floodplain unless the floor is above the flood construction level.\n\n**Secondary suite:** one per principal dwelling, inside it. The City page sets a limit of 40% of the building's gross floor area, which the bylaw text does not repeat.\n\n**Detached Garden Suite:** up to 140 m² or 15% of the lot area, whichever is less (90 m² in the Agricultural Land Reserve). One or two per lot per the City guide. It must be one storey with no basement, not strata-titled or subdivided.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your zoning and flood status with Planning (604-467-7341).\n2. Read the City's Secondary Suites or Detached Garden Suites page.\n3. Apply for a building permit in the Citizen Portal. A permit is needed for any new construction or renovation of a suite, such as adding a kitchen, plumbing, electrical, fire separation or egress windows.\n4. If both units are rented, get a business licence.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Parking: the guide asks for one space for a Detached Garden Suite, not tandem and always accessible. For a secondary suite, check the Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 7970-2023 with Planning.\n- If the owner lives elsewhere, a business licence and a Good Neighbour Agreement are required.\n- The Secondary Suites page says one suite per lot, while the Home Improvements page says single detached, duplex and triplex buildings. Confirm with Planning.\n- The bylaws we read do not state an owner-occupancy rule.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/planning-land-use/community-planning/housing-ready/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, City of Maple Ridge","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/planning-land-use/community-planning/housing-ready/detached-garden-suites","title":"Detached Garden Suites, City of Maple Ridge","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements","title":"Home Improvements, City of Maple Ridge","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-7600-2019","title":"Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/detached-garden-suite-guide","title":"Detached Garden Suite Guide (PDF), City of Maple Ridge","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/fees-charges-consolidated-bylaw-no-7575-2019","title":"Fees and Charges (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7575-2019 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/maple-ridge-street-parking-and-loading-bylaw-no-7970-2023","title":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/maple-ridge-street-parking-and-loading-bylaw-no-7970-2023","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026","title":"Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","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/maple-ridge/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/secondary-suite.json"}}