---
title: North Cowichan secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in North Cowichan?"
place: North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-cowichan
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Municipality of North Cowichan
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/secondary-suite.json"
---

# North Cowichan secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Municipality of North Cowichan, https://www.northcowichan.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Planning (zoning), 250-746-3104
- Phone: Building Services, 250-746-3105
- Email: Building Services, building@northcowichan.ca

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** '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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026), s. 3 definition; zone sections 54, 56.1, 57, 58](https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026), zone sections 56.1, 57, 58(4)(a)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Accessory Dwelling Unit, ADU page, 'An ADU:'](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/permits-forms-applications/accessory-dwelling-unit)
  - Official wording: "Is only allowed in conjunction with a single detached house" … "Cannot be on lots with a duplex" … "Cannot be strata-titled or subdivided"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026), s. 40.4](https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** 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.)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026), s. 21(1) parking table](https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968)
  - Official wording: "Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit, 1 space" … "Accessory Dwelling Unit 2 spaces"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** 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.
  - Source: [New Secondary Suite Guide 2025, Suite Building Permit; Considerations](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/New%20Secondary%20Suite%20Guide%202025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Single-Family Dwelling / Duplex Permit, Step 1](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/permits-forms-applications/single-family-dwelling-duplex-permit)
  - Official wording: "Development Permit Areas (DPAs), Agriculture Land Designation (ALR), zoning bylaw regulations and charges on title all play crucial roles"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (s. 40.4 and the zone sections) and Building Bylaw No. 3172.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026), cover](https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968)
  - Official wording: "ZONING BYLAW 1997 No. 2950"
  - Source: [https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Building%20Bylaw.pdf, cover](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Building%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw 2003 Bylaw 3172"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

In 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.

A 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.

## Steps

1. Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and confirm with Planning at 250-746-3104.
2. Read the Municipality's suite guide or accessory dwelling unit page.
3. Apply for a building permit; check development permit areas on the Planning Compliance Form.
4. Pay the fee and book inspections.

## Good to know

- A suite can have no more than 2 bedrooms.
- 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.
- You need 1 off-street parking space for a suite or detached unit, on top of the house's own requirement.
- A suite must share driveway access with the house unless the lot fronts two streets or a lane.
- Development cost charges may apply if construction value is $50,000 or more. Garbage cart fees also apply to homes with suites.
- Zone density limits also apply. Legitimizing an existing suite also needs a building permit.

## Official forms and pages

- [New Secondary Suite Guide 2025 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/New%20Secondary%20Suite%20Guide%202025.pdf)
- [Accessory Dwelling Unit, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/permits-forms-applications/accessory-dwelling-unit)

## Related questions

- [North Cowichan building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/building-permit.md)
- [North Cowichan building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/building-permit-fees.md)
- [North Cowichan zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/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)
- [Duncan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/secondary-suite.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/secondary-suite.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/secondary-suite.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/secondary-suite.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/secondary-suite.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF, current to September 14, 2026)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968) (read 2026-11-06)
- [New Secondary Suite Guide 2025 (PDF), Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/New%20Secondary%20Suite%20Guide%202025.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Accessory Dwelling Unit, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/permits-forms-applications/accessory-dwelling-unit) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Single-Family Dwelling / Duplex Permit, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/permits-forms-applications/single-family-dwelling-duplex-permit) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Bylaw and Maps, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/development-planning/zoning-bylaw-maps) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Services, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/building-services) (read 2026-11-06)
- [https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Building%20Bylaw.pdf](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Building%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Municipality of North Cowichan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/secondary-suite/_