Osoyoos secondary suite and carriage house rules
Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Osoyoos?
In Osoyoos a secondary suite is allowed inside a single detached dwelling in the RS1 and Agriculture zones, and a separate accessory dwelling is allowed in RS1, AG and several other zones. The Zoning Bylaw names no separate suite permit; building work still needs a building permit.
Key facts
| Secondary suite allowed | Yes, inside a single detached dwelling, as an accessory use in the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Residential (RS1) zone and the Agriculture (AG) zone. In the RM1 zone only on listed site-specific lots.Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, s. 11.1.1; 19.1.1; 4.0 definition · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingh) secondary suite; And secondary suite, subject to Section; “secondary suite” means a second dwelling unit that is located entirely within a single detached dwelling and that is clearly accessory to the principal dwelling unit, with direct access to the open air without passage through any portion of the principal dwelling unit; |
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| Coach house or garden suite allowed | Yes: an "accessory dwelling" (a separate dwelling not inside the single detached house and not attached to a building with dwelling units) is allowed in RS1 and AG, and in the CS2, CT1, CT2, CT3, I1 and CD1 zones. RS1 allows one per parcel, maximum height 8.0 m.Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, s. 4.0; 7.2; 11.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording“accessory dwelling” means a dwelling unit which is permitted as an accessory use in conjunction with a principal use and is not located within a single detached dwelling; e) accessory dwelling, subject to Section 7.2; An accessory dwelling shall not be attached to a principal building containing one or c) one (1) accessory dwelling on the same parcel as one (1) single detached dwelling. an accessory dwelling shall not exceed a height of 8.0 |
| Limits | RS1: one secondary suite in a single detached dwelling (or two units in one building, or one accessory dwelling). Accessory dwelling: up to 125 m² unless stated otherwise; not on parcels under 1.0 ha unless connected to community sewer; cannot be strata-subdivided.Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, s. 7.2; 11.1.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingb) one (1) secondary suite in a single detached dwelling; or No accessory dwelling shall have a floor area greater than 125.0 m2, unless otherwise An accessory dwelling shall not be permitted on parcels less than 1.0 ha in area unless An accessory dwelling cannot be subdivided under the Strata Property Act. |
| Parking | One parking space per secondary suite and one per accessory dwelling, in addition to the house. An accessory dwelling's space must not be in tandem with spaces for other uses on the parcel.Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, Table 10.2.1; s. 7.2.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingaccessory dwelling 1 per dwelling unit secondary suite 1 per dwelling unit A parking space for an accessory dwelling shall not be provided in tandem with parking |
| Permits | The Zoning Bylaw names no separate suite permit. Building work needs a building permit (alteration or addition of a building), and in a development permit area the development permit must be issued first.Building Permits, Building Permits page; Building Code Administration Bylaw No. 1251, 2009, s. 13.10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingan alteration of any building, structural or non-structural an addition to any building A building permit may be issued for works within Development Permit Areas and Development Authorization Areas so designated by the Town of Osoyoos only upon prior issuance of a Development Permit |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024 (ss. 7.2, 10.2, 11.1); Building Code Administration Bylaw No. 1251, 2009Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, cover · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBYLAW NO. 1395, 2024 Updated September 22, 2026 |
How it works
The Zoning Bylaw No. 1395 allows a secondary suite inside a single detached dwelling as an accessory use in the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Residential (RS1) zone and the Agriculture (AG) zone. It is also allowed in the CD1 zone, and in the RM1 zone only on listed site-specific lots.
A separate "accessory dwelling" (a dwelling not inside the house and not attached to a building with dwelling units) is allowed in RS1 and AG, and in the CS2, CT1, CT2, CT3, I1 and CD1 zones. The bylaw does not use the terms "coach house" or "garden suite". Commercial and industrial zones add conditions.
In RS1 you may have one secondary suite in a single detached dwelling, or two units in one building, or one accessory dwelling. An RS1 accessory dwelling is limited to one per parcel and 8.0 m high.
Steps
- Confirm your zone with Planning and Development Services (250-495-6191).
- Check the limits below.
- Apply for a building permit for the alteration or addition. If you are in a development permit area, the development permit must be issued first.
Good to know
- An accessory dwelling may be up to 125 m² unless stated otherwise. It is not allowed on parcels under 1.0 ha unless connected to community sewer, and cannot be strata-subdivided.
- Parking: one space per secondary suite and one per accessory dwelling, in addition to the house. An accessory dwelling's space must not be in tandem with spaces for other uses.
- No size limit for a secondary suite and no owner-occupancy rule were found in the zoning bylaw. Ask Planning.
- Using an accessory dwelling contrary to the rules brings a $200 bylaw notice ($180 early, $210 late).
- Renting a suite short term needs a Town business licence; see the short-term-rental answer.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Oliver · Keremeos · Penticton · Greenwood · Summerland · Grand Forks
Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Building Code Administration Bylaw No. 1251, 2009 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Building Permits, Town of Osoyoos (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1392, 2025 (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. How answers are checked.