{"title":"North Cowichan secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in North Cowichan?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","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":"Municipality of North Cowichan","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca"},"short_answer":"In North Cowichan a secondary suite is allowed in certain zones (including R1-U, R2, R3 and A4), and a detached accessory dwelling unit in R1-U, R2, R3 and some comprehensive zones. A suite needs a building permit and one off-street parking space. Check your zone first.","aliases":["secondary suite north cowichan","basement suite north cowichan","carriage house north cowichan","accessory dwelling unit north cowichan"],"cost":"The building permit fee for a suite is \"the greater of $150 + 1% of construction value or $165/sq.ft.\" as the fee schedule is written. Confirm with Building Services.","how_long":"The Municipality does not state a processing time.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Planning (zoning)","value":"250-746-3104"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Services","value":"250-746-3105"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Services","value":"building@northcowichan.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"New Secondary Suite Guide 2025 (PDF)","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/New%20Secondary%20Suite%20Guide%202025.pdf"},{"title":"Accessory Dwelling Unit, Municipality of North Cowichan","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/permits-forms-applications/accessory-dwelling-unit"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"North Cowichan building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"North Cowichan building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"North Cowichan zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/duncan","name":"Duncan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sidney","name":"Sidney","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/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":"'Secondary Suite' is a permitted use in zones A4, R1-U, R2, R2-R, R3, R3-R, R3-S, R7 and comprehensive zones CD1, CD4, CD6, CD12, CD18, CD18-R, CD20, CD25 and CD28 (some only in certain areas). It must be accessory to a single-family or two-family dwelling.","short":"Yes, in A4, R1-U, R2, R3, R7 and CD zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026)","section":"s. 3 definition; zone sections 54, 56.1, 57, 58","quotes":["means an additional dwelling unit which is accessory to a single-family dwelling or a two-family dwelling","Community Care Facility Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit Home-based Business Multi-Family Residence Secondary Suite Single-Family Dwelling","Mobile Food Service Resource Use Secondary Suite Single-Family Dwelling","Secondary Suite (within Single-Family Dwelling)","(v)     secondary suite;","(iii)   accessory dwelling unit, coach house or secondary suite;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit is a permitted use in R1-U, R2, R3, R3-S and CD1, CD4, CD6, CD12, CD18, CD18-R, CD20, CD25, CD28. Only with a single detached house; not on duplex lots; cannot be strata-titled or subdivided.","short":"Yes, in R1-U, R2, R3, R3-S and some CD zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026)","section":"zone sections 56.1, 57, 58(4)(a)","quotes":["in which case one detached accessory dwelling unit is permitted.","Community Care Facility Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit Home-based Business Multi-Family Residence Secondary Suite Single-Family Dwelling"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/permits-forms-applications/accessory-dwelling-unit","title":"Accessory Dwelling Unit, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"ADU page, 'An ADU:'","quotes":["Is only allowed in conjunction with a single detached house","Cannot be on lots with a duplex","Cannot be strata-titled or subdivided"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Secondary suite: no more than 2 bedrooms. Detached unit: at most 120 m² gross floor area; height at most 6.5 m (7.5 m with a pitched roof of at least 6:12); at-grade amenity space of at least 18.5 m² and 3.0 m wide. Zone density limits also apply.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026)","section":"s. 40.4","quotes":["A secondary suite must have: (a) no more than 2 bedrooms, and","The maximum size for a detached accessory dwelling unit is 120 m² (1,292 sq. ft.) of gross floor area.","The maximum height for a detached accessory dwelling unit is 6.5 m (21.33’), or up to 7.5 m","not less than 18.5 m (199.13 sq. ft) in area and 3.0 m (9.84 ft) in width"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"1 off-street space for a secondary suite or a detached accessory dwelling unit, on top of the house's own requirements. (An attached 'accessory dwelling unit' needs 2 spaces.)","short":"1 space per suite, plus the house's own","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026)","section":"s. 21(1) parking table","quotes":["Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit, 1 space","Accessory Dwelling Unit 2 spaces"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is required to develop a suite (a new suite, or legitimizing a non-compliant one). Development cost charges may apply if construction value is $50,000 or more. Check development permit areas on the Planning Compliance Form.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/New%20Secondary%20Suite%20Guide%202025.pdf","title":"New Secondary Suite Guide 2025 (PDF), Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"Suite Building Permit; Considerations","quotes":["A Building Permit is required when developing a suite.","Development Cost Charges may apply at the Building Permit stage if the value of the construction meets or exceeds $50,000."]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/permits-forms-applications/single-family-dwelling-duplex-permit","title":"Single-Family Dwelling / Duplex Permit, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"Step 1","quotes":["Development Permit Areas (DPAs), Agriculture Land Designation (ALR), zoning bylaw regulations and charges on title all play crucial roles"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (s. 40.4 and the zone sections) and Building Bylaw No. 3172.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026)","section":"cover","quotes":["ZONING BYLAW 1997 No. 2950"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Building%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Building%20Bylaw.pdf","section":"cover","quotes":["Building Bylaw 2003 Bylaw 3172"]}],"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\nIn North Cowichan the [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950](https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968) decides where a suite can go. A \"Secondary Suite\" is a permitted use in zones A4, R1-U, R2, R2-R, R3, R3-R, R3-S and R7, and in comprehensive zones CD1, CD4, CD6, CD12, CD18, CD18-R, CD20, CD25 and CD28 (some only in certain areas). It must be accessory to a single-family or two-family dwelling. Zones A1, A2, A3, A5 and R1 do not list it as a use.\n\nA Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (a carriage house) is permitted in R1-U, R2, R3, R3-S and the comprehensive zones above. It must go with a single detached house, not a duplex, and cannot be strata-titled or subdivided. In A1 and A5, land of 2 ha or more may have a second smaller residential building with a covenant against strata subdivision.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and confirm with Planning at 250-746-3104.\n2. Read the Municipality's suite guide or accessory dwelling unit page.\n3. Apply for a building permit; check development permit areas on the Planning Compliance Form.\n4. Pay the fee and book inspections.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- A suite can have no more than 2 bedrooms.\n- A detached unit is limited to 120 m² gross floor area and 6.5 m high (7.5 m with a pitched roof of at least 6:12). It needs at-grade amenity space of at least 18.5 m² and 3.0 m wide.\n- You need 1 off-street parking space for a suite or detached unit, on top of the house's own requirement.\n- A suite must share driveway access with the house unless the lot fronts two streets or a lane.\n- Development cost charges may apply if construction value is $50,000 or more. Garbage cart fees also apply to homes with suites.\n- Zone density limits also apply. Legitimizing an existing suite also needs a building permit.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/New%20Secondary%20Suite%20Guide%202025.pdf","title":"New Secondary Suite Guide 2025 (PDF), Municipality of North Cowichan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/permits-forms-applications/accessory-dwelling-unit","title":"Accessory Dwelling Unit, Municipality of North Cowichan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/permits-forms-applications/single-family-dwelling-duplex-permit","title":"Single-Family Dwelling / Duplex Permit, Municipality of North Cowichan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/development-planning/zoning-bylaw-maps","title":"Zoning Bylaw and Maps, Municipality of North Cowichan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/building-services","title":"Building Services, Municipality of North Cowichan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Building%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Building%20Bylaw.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/north-cowichan/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/secondary-suite.json"}}