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New Westminster secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?

New Westminster, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowedYes. 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 300 One and Two Unit Residential (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 310.9; Secondary Suites; Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 190.29 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
but are permitted in most single detached houses in New Westminster
Secondary suites on properties with single detached dwellings, multiplexes or townhouses
Coach house or garden suite allowedYes 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 300 One and Two Unit Residential (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 310.10 and 311.2; Laneway and Carriage Houses, FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
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.
LimitsOne 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 190.29; Secondary Suites; Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 300 One and Two Unit Residential (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 310.9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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)
Secondary suites cannot be strata-titled, sold, or used for short term rentals
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
ParkingSingle 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 140.9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
PermitsA 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.Secondary Suites, Creating Or Authorizing A Secondary Suite · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (s. 190.29, s. 310 and s. 140); Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019; Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026), s. 190.29; Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019, title page; Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016, title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Requirements for Secondary Suites
BUILDING BYLAW NO. 8125, 2019
TREE PROTECTION AND REGULATION BYLAW NO. 7799, 2016

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

The same question in other places

Burnaby · Coquitlam · Port Coquitlam · Port Moody · Belcarra · Surrey

Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Secondary Suites, City of New Westminster (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Laneway and Carriage Houses, City of New Westminster (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 300 One and Two Unit Residential (PDF, as of June 8, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  6. Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016 (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. How answers are checked.