{"title":"Metchosin secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Metchosin?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/metchosin","name":"Metchosin","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 Metchosin","url":"https://www.metchosin.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. Metchosin allows a secondary suite inside the house in zones that list accessory dwelling units. A detached suite or carriage house is allowed only on lots of 0.8 ha (1.98 acres) or more. A building permit is required.","aliases":["secondary suite metchosin","carriage house metchosin","accessory dwelling unit metchosin","basement suite metchosin"],"cost":"A building permit and its fee are required; see the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"No processing time is stated by the District.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Municipal Hall (Building Permits and Inspections)","value":"250-474-3167"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Permits and Inspections","value":"building@metchosin.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"4450 Happy Valley Road, Victoria, BC V9C 3Z3","note":"Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259","url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/"},{"title":"Accessory Dwelling Units information guide (PDF)","url":"https://www.metchosin.ca/sites/7/files/2026-01/Accessory%20Dwelling%20Units%20information%20guide%20%28web%20version%29.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Metchosin building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Metchosin building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Metchosin short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Metchosin zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sooke","name":"Sooke","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sooke/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/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. A secondary suite inside the principal dwelling is allowed in zones that list accessory dwelling units (Agricultural, Upland, Rural, Amenity Residential, Rural Residential, Commercial 2 and Commercial Recreation). On lots under 0.8 ha (1.98 acres) it is the only accessory dwelling unit allowed per lot.","short":"Yes, in zones that list accessory dwelling units","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 23(1)(c)","quotes":["On lots less than 0.8 hectares (1.98 acres), only one accessory dwelling unit is permitted per lot, and it shall be in the form of a secondary suite located within the principal dwelling.","Accessory dwelling unit, subject to Section 23","On lots less than 0.8 hectares (1.98 acres), only one accessory dwelling unit is permitted per lot, and it"]},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 23(1)","quotes":["Accessory Dwelling Unit is secondary suites, detached secondary suites and carriage houses."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Yes, only on lots of 0.8 ha (1.98 acres) or more. Outside the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR): one accessory dwelling unit of any type (secondary suite, detached secondary suite or carriage house). In the ALR: one secondary suite plus one detached secondary suite or carriage house.","short":"Yes, only on lots of 0.8 ha or more","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 23(1)(d), (e)","quotes":["On lots 0.8 hectares (1.98 acres) or greater that are not located within the Agricultural Land Reserve","one secondary suite within a principal dwelling and one detached accessory dwelling unit, in the form of"]},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 51(6)(b)","quotes":["The minimum lot area required for a detached secondary suite or carriage house is 0.8 ha (1.98 acres)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Secondary suite: up to 120 m² or 40% of the principal dwelling's floor area, whichever is less, joined by a common wall or floor/ceiling. Detached suite: up to 90 m², 1 m to 15 m from the dwelling, at least 15 m from lot lines, one kitchen. Carriage house living area up to 90 m². No strata title or subdivision of a suite.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 23(2)","quotes":["The floor area of a secondary suite shall not exceed 120 m 2 (1,291 ft2) or 40% of the gross floor area of"]},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 23(3)","quotes":["The gross floor area of a detached secondary suite shall not exceed 90 m 2 (968 ft2).","shall be located no closer than 15 m (49.2’) from any lot","shall not have more than one (1) kitchen."]},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 23(1)(f)","quotes":["An accessory dwelling unit shall not be strata titled"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"Two off-street parking spaces for the accessory dwelling unit, in addition to two for the principal dwelling. A front-yard driveway leading to a space that is not in the front yard may count as the second space (in tandem).","short":"2 spaces, plus 2 for the principal dwelling","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 23(1)(b)","quotes":["Two off-street parking spaces shall be provided for an accessory dwelling unit"]},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 49 Required Parking Spaces","quotes":["2 per principal dwelling unit and 2 per accessory dwelling unit provided that a front yard driveway"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit and its fee are required for any suite. Before it issues, the owner must show CRD water or adequate well water (3,400 L/day) and an approved sewage disposal system. A Homeowner Protection Office declaration is needed for detached suites. Development permit areas or tree cutting permits may add approvals.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 23(1)(g), (h)","quotes":["without first obtaining a building permit from the District and paying the","provide proof of CRD water, or adequate potable well water (3400 L/day) and an approved means of"]},{"url":"https://www.metchosin.ca/sites/7/files/2026-01/Building%20Permit%20Requirements.pdf","title":"Building Permit Requirements (PDF)","section":"Application checklist","quotes":["Homeowner Protection Office Declaration: For new homes, substantial reconstructions and, detached secondary"]},{"url":"https://www.metchosin.ca/sites/7/files/2026-01/Accessory%20Dwelling%20Units%20information%20guide%20%28web%20version%29.pdf","title":"Accessory Dwelling Units information guide (PDF)","section":"Important Notes","quotes":["A Building Permit is required for all ADUs.","These site restrictions/conditions may trigger additional permits, studies or approvals"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (Accessory Dwelling Units); Building Bylaw 2024, No. 694","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259."]},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/475/","title":"Building Bylaw 2024, No. 694","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["Building Bylaw 2024, N0. 694"]}],"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\nUnder s. 23 of the [Land Use Bylaw No. 259](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/), a secondary suite inside the principal dwelling is allowed in zones that list accessory dwelling units: Agricultural, Upland, Rural, Amenity Residential, Rural Residential, Commercial 2 and Commercial Recreation. On lots under 0.8 ha (1.98 acres) it is the only accessory dwelling unit allowed.\n\nOn lots of 0.8 ha or more, a detached secondary suite or carriage house is also allowed. Outside the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) you may have one accessory dwelling unit of any type. In the ALR you may have one secondary suite plus one detached suite or carriage house. A carriage house has living space on the upper floor above an accessory building such as a garage or workshop.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your zone and lot size with Municipal Hall (250-474-3167).\n2. Check size limits and parking (below).\n3. Apply for a building permit. Before it is issued you must show CRD water or adequate well water (3,400 L/day) and an approved sewage disposal system. Detached suites also need a Homeowner Protection Office declaration.\n4. Ask staff whether development permit areas or a tree cutting permit apply to your lot.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Secondary suite: up to 120 m² or 40% of the principal dwelling's floor area, whichever is less, joined by a common wall or floor and ceiling.\n- Detached suite: up to 90 m², 1 m to 15 m from the dwelling and at least 15 m from lot lines, with one kitchen. Maximum height is 8 m. A carriage house's living area is up to 90 m², and the building can be up to 10.5 m high.\n- A detached suite or carriage house may not have separate road access. A suite cannot be strata titled or subdivided.\n- Parking: two off-street spaces for the suite, in addition to two for the main dwelling. A front-yard driveway leading to a space that is not in the front yard may count as the second space.","sources":[{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 23 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/475/","title":"Building Bylaw 2024, No. 694","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.metchosin.ca/sites/7/files/2026-01/Accessory%20Dwelling%20Units%20information%20guide%20%28web%20version%29.pdf","title":"Accessory Dwelling Units information guide (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.metchosin.ca/sites/7/files/2026-01/Building%20Permit%20Requirements.pdf","title":"Building Permit Requirements (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/metchosin/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/secondary-suite.json"}}