{"title":"Parksville secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/parksville","name":"Parksville","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":"City of Parksville","url":"https://www.parksville.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. In the City of Parksville a secondary suite is allowed inside a single family dwelling or duplex unit in zones that list it, including RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, SLR-1 and A-1. You need a building permit, one off-street parking space and a business licence. The bylaw and City guide differ on maximum suite size.","aliases":["basement suite parksville","granny suite parksville","carriage house parksville","legal suite parksville","rental suite business licence parksville"],"cost":"Building permit fees are based on construction value (see building-permit-fees). The suite rental needs a City business licence at $50 a year.","how_long":"The City states no processing time.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Building","value":"250 954-3065"},{"type":"email","label":"Building","value":"building@parksville.ca"},{"type":"email","label":"Community Planning (zoning)","value":"planning@parksville.ca"},{"type":"email","label":"Business licences","value":"biz@parksville.ca"}],"documents":["Building permit application and drawings showing the suite"],"forms":[{"title":"Building page (example plans: Secondary Suite)","url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=42"},{"title":"Building Permit Submission Requirements (PDF)","url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID42atID11779.pdf"},{"title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw 2000, consolidated July 29, 2026 (PDF)","url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Parksville building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Parksville zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Parksville business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/business-licence/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lantzville","name":"Lantzville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nanaimo","name":"Nanaimo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sechelt","name":"Sechelt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/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":"Yes, as an accessory use inside a single family dwelling or duplex unit in zones that list it, including RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, SLR-1 and A-1. Each must meet s. 613.","short":"Yes, in zones that list it (RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, A-1)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF)","section":"s. 202.1, 249.1, 613, definitions","quotes":["Secondary Suites must be in accordance with Section 613 of this Bylaw.","secondary suite means a self-contained accessory dwelling unit within a single family dwelling or duplex dwelling unit","Where secondary suites are a permitted or accessory use within a zoning district"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"RS-1 and SLR-1 allow 2 principal dwelling units per lot, with single family buildings at least 3.0 m apart. The bylaw's 'accessory carriage house' (a separate dwelling) is named only for A-1 land in the Agricultural Land Reserve: one, up to 90 m², subject to Agricultural Land Commission rules.","short":"Carriage house named only for A-1 land in ALR","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF)","section":"s. 202.2, 202.3, 210.2(b)","quotes":["Principal Dwelling Units 2 per lot","The distance between single family buildings must be a minimum of 3.0 m as measured from the closest points of each structure","the following is permitted: one (1) principal dwelling, one (1) secondary suite, and one (1) accessory carriage house not exceeding 90 m2 is permitted"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Zoning s. 613: one suite per single family dwelling or duplex unit, completely inside the principal building, no boarders or lodgers. The bylaw text states only a 30 m² minimum, but the City permit guide says a maximum of 90 m² or 40% of the dwelling, whichever is less; ask Planning. RS-1 and SLR-1 allow up to 2 suites per lot.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF)","section":"s. 613(a), (b), (c), (e); s. 202.2","quotes":["not more than one secondary suite shall be permitted within a single family dwelling or a duplex dwelling unit","a secondary suite shall be completely contained within the principal building","the minimum allowable floorspace of a secondary suite shall be 30 m","the keeping of boarders, lodgers, or roomers shall not be permitted within a principal dwelling unit containing a secondary suite","Secondary Suites 2 per lot","Amend Section 613 Secondary Suites regarding maximum allowable area to 90 m2"]},{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID42atID11779.pdf","title":"Building Permit Submission Requirements (PDF), City of Parksville","section":"Submission Requirements, item 6","quotes":["City of Parksville Zoning Bylaw regulates a maximum suite area of 90 m² (968 ft²) or 40% of the gross floor area of the principle dwelling whichever is less"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The City's Building Permit Submission Requirements say the Zoning Bylaw sets a maximum suite area of 90 m² or 40% of the principal dwelling's gross floor area, whichever is less; s. 613 of the bylaw (consolidated to July 29, 2026) states only the 30 m² minimum. The bylaw follows. No owner-occupancy rule found in s. 613 or RS-1."},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"One off-street parking space per suite.","short":"1 space per suite","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF)","section":"s. 613(d), s. 407","quotes":["a minimum of one off-street parking space shall be provided for a secondary suite","Secondary Suites 1 per suite"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is needed (the City lists secondary suite example plans and fire separation rules), and the suite rental needs a City business licence ($50 a year).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID42atID11779.pdf","title":"Building Permit Submission Requirements (PDF), City of Parksville","section":"Submission Requirements, item 6","quotes":["In order to construct a secondary suite within an existing single-family dwelling (zoned RS-1, RS-2 or RS-3)","Also note that a City of Parksville Business License is required"]},{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF)","section":"s. 613(h)","quotes":["a secondary suite rental tenancy is subject to a valid City of Parksville Business License"]},{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated, PDF)","section":"Schedule A","quotes":["Secondary Suite or Accessory Carriage House $50"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (s. 613, zone schedules, Division 400); Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387; Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF)","section":"s. 613","quotes":["Page 275 of 291 613 SECONDARY SUITES Where secondary suites are a permitted or accessory use within a zoning district they are","CITY OF PARKSVILLE ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT BYLAW, 1994, NO. 2000 TABLE OF CONTENTS","(h) Must have a valid City of Parksville business licence where required pursuant to \"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550\", and all amendments or successors thereto."]},{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1098","title":"Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387 (consolidated, PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387"]},{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated, PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550"]}],"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\nThe City of Parksville's [Zoning and Development Bylaw 2000](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161) allows a secondary suite as an accessory use inside a single family dwelling or duplex unit in zones that list it, including RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, SLR-1 and A-1. Each suite must meet s. 613: one suite per single family dwelling or duplex unit, completely inside the principal building, with no boarders or lodgers. RS-1 and SLR-1 allow up to 2 suites per lot.\n\nA detached suite is a different matter. RS-1 and SLR-1 allow 2 principal dwelling units per lot, with single family buildings at least 3.0 m apart. The bylaw's \"accessory carriage house\" is named only for A-1 land in the Agricultural Land Reserve: one, up to 90 m², subject to Agricultural Land Commission rules. Check zoning with Planning before relying on this.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Ask Community Planning (250 954-4697) to confirm your zone allows a suite.\n2. Apply for a building permit; the City lists suite example plans and fire separation rules.\n3. Provide one off-street parking space for the suite.\n4. Get a City business licence for the suite rental ($50 a year).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Suite size: s. 613(c) states only a 30 m² minimum, but the City's permit guide says a maximum of 90 m² or 40% of the dwelling, whichever is less. The two differ, so confirm with Planning.\n- A suite cannot be in a cellar habitable room, except a recreation room or den (zoning s. 604(a)).","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161","title":"Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID42atID11779.pdf","title":"Building Permit Submission Requirements (PDF), City of Parksville","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1098","title":"Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387 (consolidated, PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated, PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=42","title":"Building, City of Parksville","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","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/parksville/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/secondary-suite.json"}}