GovHandbook

Parksville secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?

Parksville, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowedYes, 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.Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF), s. 202.1, 249.1, 613, definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
Coach house or garden suite allowedRS-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.Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF), s. 202.2, 202.3, 210.2(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
LimitsZoning 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.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.Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF), s. 613(a), (b), (c), (e); s. 202.2; Building Permit Submission Requirements, Submission Requirements, item 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
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
ParkingOne off-street parking space per suite.Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF), s. 613(d), s. 407 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
a minimum of one off-street parking space shall be provided for a secondary suite
Secondary Suites 1 per suite
PermitsA 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).Building Permit Submission Requirements, Submission Requirements, item 6; Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF), s. 613(h); Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
a secondary suite rental tenancy is subject to a valid City of Parksville Business License
Secondary Suite or Accessory Carriage House $50
BylawZoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (s. 613, zone schedules, Division 400); Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387; Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF), s. 613; Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387 (consolidated, PDF), s. 1; Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated, PDF), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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.
Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387
Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550

How it works

The City of Parksville's Zoning and Development Bylaw 2000 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.

A 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.

Steps

  1. Ask Community Planning (250 954-4697) to confirm your zone allows a suite.
  2. Apply for a building permit; the City lists suite example plans and fire separation rules.
  3. Provide one off-street parking space for the suite.
  4. Get a City business licence for the suite rental ($50 a year).

Good to know

  • 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.
  • A suite cannot be in a cellar habitable room, except a recreation room or den (zoning s. 604(a)).

What you'll need

  • Building permit application and drawings showing the suite

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Qualicum Beach · Lantzville · Nanaimo · Port Alberni · Sechelt · Ladysmith

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

Sources

  1. Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Building Permit Submission Requirements (PDF), City of Parksville (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Building Bylaw, 2003, No. 1387 (consolidated, PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated, PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Building, City of Parksville (read 2026-11-05)

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.