---
title: New Westminster secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?"
place: New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/new-westminster
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of New Westminster
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/secondary-suite.json"
---

# New Westminster secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**Short answer:** Often yes. In New Westminster's RS-1 zone, one secondary suite is allowed in a single detached house, and so is one laneway or carriage house. Both need a building permit and a tree permit. Neither can be sold separately or used for short-term rentals. Confirm your zoning with Planning first.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of New Westminster, https://www.newwestcity.ca)  
**Cost:** Building permit fee depends on construction value (see building-permit-fees); tree permit fees are in the tree-removal answer.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Planning Division (zoning), 604-527-4532 (Email plnpost@newwestcity.ca)
- Phone: Building Division, 604-527-4580

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** Yes. Zoning Bylaw s. 190.29 applies to secondary suites in single detached dwellings, multiplexes and townhouses. In RS-1 one suite is an accessory use if all requirements are met. The City says most single detached houses and some duplexes qualify; confirm zoning with Planning first.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 300 One and Two Unit Residential (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 310.9](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/300_One_and_Two_Unit_Residential___As_of_June_8_2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "One additional accessory dwelling unit is permitted in the form of a secondary" … "suite if all “Requirements for Secondary Suites” as set out in Section 190.29 of"
  - Source: [Secondary Suites](https://www.newwestcity.ca/secondary-suites)
  - Official wording: "but are permitted in most single detached houses in New Westminster"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 190.29](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Secondary suites on properties with single detached dwellings, multiplexes or townhouses"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** Yes in RS-1: one detached accessory dwelling (laneway house where there is a lane, carriage house where there is none), in addition to the house and a secondary suite. Not allowed in RS-2, in Queensborough, or on lots not designated RD or RGO in the Official Community Plan.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 300 One and Two Unit Residential (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 310.10 and 311.2](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/300_One_and_Two_Unit_Residential___As_of_June_8_2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "In addition to the principal dwelling unit and a secondary suite, one detached" … "accessory dwelling unit is permitted." … "Detached accessory dwelling units shall not be a permitted use."
  - Source: [Laneway and Carriage Houses, FAQ](https://www.newwestcity.ca/housing/laneway-and-carriage-houses)
  - Official wording: "Only properties designated (RD) Residential – Detached or Semi-Detached or designed (RGO) Residential – Ground Oriented Infill Housing on the Land Use Designation Map" … "No, the Queensborough Plan does not allow laneway or carriage houses."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** One suite per house (a laneway or carriage house may also be allowed). Suite at least 32.52 m² (350 ft²); not below the flood construction level; private outdoor space of 7.43 m² (80 ft²) or a 5.57 m² (60 ft²) raised deck if above grade. Cannot be strata-titled, sold or used for short term rentals.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 190.29](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the floor area of a secondary suite shall not be less than 32.52 square metres (350 square feet);" … "no part of a secondary suite shall be constructed below any flood construction level" … "not smaller than 7.43 square metres (80 square feet)" … "minimum size of 5.57 square metres (60 square feet)"
  - Source: [Secondary Suites](https://www.newwestcity.ca/secondary-suites)
  - Official wording: "Secondary suites cannot be strata-titled, sold, or used for short term rentals"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 300 One and Two Unit Residential (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 310.9](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/300_One_and_Two_Unit_Residential___As_of_June_8_2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "One additional accessory dwelling unit is permitted in the form of a secondary" … "suite if all “Requirements for Secondary Suites” as set out in Section 190.29 of"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** Single detached house: 1 off-street space for the house plus an additional 1 for the first secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit; none extra for a second. This does not apply to sites in a transit-oriented development area.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 140.9](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Except for residential uses located on sites within a transit-oriented development area" … "An additional 1.0 space per dwelling unit for the" … "first accessory dwelling unit or secondary suite" … "No additional off-street parking spaces required per"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** A Building Permit is required (plans are approved by the Building Division first) and a Tree Permit is also required. An authorized suite must have been created with a Building Permit. A laneway or carriage house must also meet the Laneway and Carriage House Development Permit Area guidelines.
  - Source: [Secondary Suites, Creating Or Authorizing A Secondary Suite](https://www.newwestcity.ca/secondary-suites)
  - Official wording: "Plans must be approved by the Building Division before a Building Permit can be issued. A Tree Permit is also required." … "must have been created with a Building Permit." … "the Laneway and Carriage House Development Permit Area guidelines, and the Building Code."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (s. 190.29, s. 310 and s. 140); Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019; Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 190.29](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Requirements for Secondary Suites"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019, title page](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8125__2019_Building(2%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW NO. 8125, 2019"
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016, title page](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7799_Tree_Protection_and_Regulation(1%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "TREE PROTECTION AND REGULATION BYLAW NO. 7799, 2016"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of New Westminster applies section 190.29 of its Zoning Bylaw to secondary suites in single detached dwellings, multiplexes and townhouses. In RS-1, one suite is an accessory use if all requirements are met. The City says most single detached houses and some duplexes qualify. Since July 6, 1998 the City has allowed one authorized secondary suite per single detached house.

## Steps

1. Call the Planning Division (604-527-4532) to confirm your zoning allows a suite or a laneway or carriage house.
2. Get your plans approved by the Building Division, then apply for a building permit. A tree permit is also required.
3. A laneway or carriage house must also meet the Laneway and Carriage House Development Permit Area guidelines.

## Good to know

- A suite is authorized only if it was created with a building permit.
- Suite rules: at least 32.52 square metres (350 square feet); not below the flood construction level; private outdoor space of 7.43 square metres (80 square feet), or a 5.57 square metre (60 square foot) raised deck if the suite is above grade.
- Suites cannot be strata-titled, sold or used for short-term rentals.
- A laneway house (where there is a lane) or carriage house (where there is none) is allowed in RS-1 in addition to the house and suite. It is not allowed in RS-2, in Queensborough, or on lots not designated RD or RGO in the Official Community Plan. The maximum size is 89 square metres (958 square feet). Only one detached accessory structure is allowed: a laneway or carriage house or a detached garage.
- Parking for a single detached house: 1 off-street space for the house plus 1 more for the first suite or accessory dwelling; none extra for a second. This does not apply in a transit-oriented development area. The City's laneway page says two spaces in total even with three units.

## Official forms and pages

- [Secondary Suites page](https://www.newwestcity.ca/secondary-suites)
- [Laneway and Carriage Houses page](https://www.newwestcity.ca/housing/laneway-and-carriage-houses)

## Related questions

- [New Westminster building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit.md)
- [New Westminster tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/tree-removal.md)
- [New Westminster zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/secondary-suite.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/secondary-suite.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/secondary-suite.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/secondary-suite.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/secondary-suite.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Secondary Suites, City of New Westminster](https://www.newwestcity.ca/secondary-suites) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Laneway and Carriage Houses, City of New Westminster](https://www.newwestcity.ca/housing/laneway-and-carriage-houses) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 300 One and Two Unit Residential (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/300_One_and_Two_Unit_Residential___As_of_June_8_2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019 (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8125__2019_Building(2%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016 (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/7799_Tree_Protection_and_Regulation(1%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of New Westminster. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/secondary-suite/_