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Northern Rockies secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Northern Rockies?

Northern Rockies, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

Yes. In the Northern Rockies townsite one secondary suite, wholly inside a single detached dwelling, is allowed in the RS-1, RS-1A, RS-2, RS-3, RR-1, RR-2, RM-1, A-1 and A-2 zones. A detached accessory dwelling unit is also allowed in most of them. You need a building permit.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowedYes, one secondary suite wholly inside a single detached dwelling, in the RS-1, RS-1A, RS-2, RS-3, RR-1, RR-2, RM-1 (single detached only), A-1 and A-2 zones of the Townsite Zoning Bylaw. Not allowed in a mobile dwelling, duplex or multi-unit dwelling.Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016, Townsite (PDF, consolidated May 2026, information copy), s. 2 definition; s. 3.18.14 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
wholly contained within a Single Detached RS-1; RS-1A; RS-2;
independent living facility with provision RR-1; RR-2; A-1;
within the Secondary Suite for cooking, eating, sanitation and sleeping. A-2;
A Secondary Suite is prohibited in a Mobile Dwelling, Duplex or any other Multi-Unit Dwelling.
Secondary Suite (Single Detached Dwelling only, see Section 3.18);
c. Secondary Suite (see Section 3.18).
Coach house or garden suite allowedYes, one detached accessory dwelling unit on a parcel with a single detached dwelling, in the RR-1, RR-2, RS-1, RS-1A, RS-2, RS-3, RM-1, A-1 and A-2 zones. It must sit behind the principal building (any yard in A-1 and A-2). A mobile dwelling is not allowed as one in RS-1, RS-1A, RS-3 or RM-1.Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016, Townsite (PDF, consolidated May 2026, information copy), s. 2 definition; s. 3.18 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
means a detached Dwelling Unit, that is secondary to the Principal Use, and,
RR-1; RR-2; RS-1;
RS-1A; RS2; RS3;
RM1; A-1;
An Accessory Dwelling Unit must be located behind the Principal Building, except in the A1 and A2
zones, where it can be located in any Yard.
A Mobile Dwelling is not permitted as an Accessory Dwelling Unit.
LimitsOnly one secondary suite or one accessory dwelling unit per parcel with a single detached dwelling. Accessory dwelling unit: 8.0 m high at most; if a single detached dwelling, no more than 75% of the main building's floor area or 115 m², whichever is less. Neither may be subdivided or strata titled.Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016, Townsite (PDF, consolidated May 2026, information copy), s. 3.18 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Only one (1) Secondary Suite or one (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit is permitted on a parcel containing
The maximum height of an Accessory Dwelling Unit is 8.0m.
seventy five percent
(75%) of the Gross Floor Area of the Principal Building or 115sq.m, whichever is less.
Secondary Suites shall not be subdivided or strata titled.
Accessory Dwelling Units shall not be subdivided or strata titled.
A Secondary Suite must have direct outside access without passing through the Principal Use.
ParkingOne off-street parking space per secondary suite, and one per accessory dwelling unit.Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016, Townsite (PDF, consolidated May 2026, information copy), s. 4.9 parking table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Secondary Suite 1 per Secondary Suite
Accessory Dwelling Unit 1 per Accessory Dwelling Unit
PermitsA building permit is needed to create a suite (altering a building, completing an unfinished area, or changing a building's occupancy). The suite must meet the BC Building Code and may not be used unless it complies with all zoning, health, fire and building bylaws.Building Bylaw No. 111, 2015 (PDF, consolidated June 2023, information copy), s. 9(1); When do I need a Building Permit?, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, When do I need a Building Permit? (municipal guide); Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016, Townsite (PDF, consolidated May 2026, information copy), ss. 3.18.9, 3.18.11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building
Complete an unfinished area in an existing building
Change the type of occupancy of a building
A Secondary Suite must meet BC Building Code requirements.
all health, fire and Building Bylaws and regulations in force
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016 (Townsite), s. 3.18 (as replaced by Amendment Bylaw No. 230, 2024); Building Bylaw No. 111, 2015Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016, Townsite (PDF, consolidated May 2026, information copy), Title and s. 3.18; Building Bylaw No. 111, 2015 (PDF, consolidated June 2023, information copy), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 230, 2024 (Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing)
Section 3.18 is Repealed and Replaced by Bylaw No. 230, 2024
Building Bylaw No. 111, 2015

How it works

The Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016 (Townsite) allows one secondary suite wholly inside a single detached dwelling in the RS-1, RS-1A, RS-2, RS-3, RR-1, RR-2, RM-1 (single detached only), A-1 and A-2 zones. A suite is not allowed in a mobile dwelling, duplex or multi-unit dwelling. For rural parcels, see the Rural Zoning Bylaw.

It also allows one detached accessory dwelling unit on a parcel with a single detached dwelling, in the RR-1, RR-2, RS-1, RS-1A, RS-2, RS-3, RM-1, A-1 and A-2 zones. It must sit behind the principal building (any yard in A-1 and A-2). A mobile dwelling is not allowed as one in RS-1, RS-1A, RS-3 or RM-1.

Steps

  1. Check your zone with Regional Development and Planning (250-774-2541 option 8).
  2. Apply for a building permit. One is needed to alter a building, finish an unfinished area or change a building's use (see the building-permit answer).
  3. Build to the BC Building Code. The suite may not be used unless it complies with all zoning, health, fire and building bylaws.

Good to know

  • Limit: one secondary suite or one accessory dwelling unit per parcel with a single detached dwelling. Neither may be subdivided or strata titled.
  • An accessory dwelling unit may be 8.0 m high at most. If it is a single detached dwelling, it may be no more than 75% of the main building's floor area or 115 m², whichever is less.
  • Parking: one off-street space per secondary suite and one per accessory dwelling unit, in addition to the main dwelling's parking.
  • A detached unit's minimum parcel area is subject to Northern Health regulations and approvals.
  • The bylaw search found no owner-occupancy rule.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Stewart · Hudson's Hope · Hazelton · New Hazelton · Granisle · Mackenzie

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 119, 2016, Townsite (PDF, consolidated May 2026, information copy) (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Building Bylaw No. 111, 2015 (PDF, consolidated June 2023, information copy) (read 2026-11-08)
  3. When do I need a Building Permit? (PDF), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (read 2026-11-08)

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.