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

# Peachland secondary suite and carriage house rules

**Question:** Can I add a secondary suite or a garden suite in Peachland?

**Short answer:** Yes. Peachland allows one secondary suite inside a house, and one detached garden suite, per principal dwelling in the A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1 and RM2 zones. You need a building permit and must register the suite ($125, then a $56 annual licence).

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Peachland, https://www.peachland.ca)  
**Cost:** $125 suite registration, then a $56 annual suite licence, plus building permit fees.  
**How long:** Not stated. Building permits currently take approximately 2 weeks, per the District's FAQ.  
**Where:**
- Online: Online application portal, https://www.peachland.ca/apply-online
- In person: Municipal Hall, 5806 Beach Avenue, Peachland, B.C. V0H 1X7 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except statutory holidays.)
- Phone: Building Department, 250-767-3707
- Email: Building Department, building@peachland.ca

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** Yes, as an accessory use in the A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1 and RM2 zones (and some comprehensive development zones), inside a single detached dwelling or one half of a duplex. A maximum of one secondary suite per principal dwelling unit.
  - Source: [Suites, Suites page](https://www.peachland.ca/suites)
  - Official wording: "Secondary Suites and Garden Suites for residential use are now permitted in a most residential zones within the District of Peachland."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2400, 2023, consolidated July 20, 2026, R1 zone s. 7.5.2.3; s. 5.39.4](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-no-2400)
  - Official wording: "Secondary Suite (only within single detached or duplex dwellings)" … "A maximum of one secondary suite is permitted within each principal dwelling unit" … "Secondary Suite (only in single detached or duplex dwellings)" … "one accessory dwelling unit, either a secondary suite or a"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** Yes, a garden suite (detached accessory building) is allowed in the A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1 and RM2 zones and some comprehensive zones. One per principal dwelling. Needs municipal water and sewer unless the lot is 1.0 ha or more with an approved septic system.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2400, 2023, consolidated July 20, 2026, R1 zone s. 7.5.2.4; s. 5.35.1, 5.35.9](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-no-2400)
  - Official wording: "Garden Suite (only on a lot with single detached or duplex)" … "Only one (1) garden suite per principal dwelling unit is permitted on any lot." … "Garden suites shall only be permitted on lots connected to the municipal water and sanitary" … "sewer system unless the lot is 1.0 ha (2.47 ac) or greater in area"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** Secondary suite: 33 m² (355 sq ft) to 110 m² (1,184 sq ft) or 40% of the home's habitable floor space, whichever is less. Garden suite: 33 to 110 m². R1 lots: 4 dwelling units in total with municipal water and sewer, 2 without. No owner occupancy required.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2400, 2023, consolidated July 20, 2026, s. 5.39.3-5.39.4](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-no-2400)
  - Official wording: "A secondary suite shall have a minimum floor area of 33 m2 (355 ft2) and a maximum floor" … "area of 110 m2 (1184 ft2) or 40% of the habitable floor space of the principal dwelling in which" … "the secondary dwelling is located, whichever is less." … "A garden suite shall have a minimum floor area of 33 m2 (355 ft2) and a" … "and sewer is four (4) dwelling units inclusive of secondary dwelling" … "water and sewer is a total of two dwellings which may be comprised of"
  - Source: [Secondary Suite and Garden Suite Policy DEV-188, DEV-188 s. 7](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/dev-188-secondary-suite-and-garden-suite-policypdf)
  - Official wording: "The District of Peachland does not require that owners occupy the principal dwelling or suite."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** One extra off-street parking space for the suite, in addition to the spaces required for the principal dwelling (the same for a garden suite).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2400, 2023, consolidated July 20, 2026, s. 5.39.6; s. 5.35.10](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-no-2400)
  - Official wording: "In addition to the off-street parking spaces required for the principal dwelling unit, one off-" … "street parking space is required for the secondary suite." … "street parking space is required for a garden suite."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** A building permit is required (registration of a new suite goes through the building permit process). Register the suite: $125 registration, then a $56 annual suite licence. A driveway permit may also be needed.
  - Source: [Building Permit FAQs, FAQ: Garden & Secondary Suites](https://www.peachland.ca/departments/building-department/building-permit-faqs)
  - Official wording: "Constructing a self-contained accessory dwelling within a home (secondary suite)"
  - Source: [Suites, How to Register](https://www.peachland.ca/suites)
  - Official wording: "Fill out and submit the Suite Registration Application Form and pay the $125 fee" … "Submit a Building Permit Application and pay the required fees (variable based on project)" … "Maintain an Annual Suite Licence of $56 payable at time of registration and then renew by the end of each calendar year" … "Pay an additional 40% of base rate for water and/or sewer on the quarterly utility invoice"
  - Source: [Secondary Suite and Garden Suite Policy DEV-188, DEV-188 s. 4](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/dev-188-secondary-suite-and-garden-suite-policypdf)
  - Official wording: "Registration of a new suite must be done through the Building Permit process."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 2400, 2023 (s. 5.39 secondary suites, s. 5.35 garden suites); Secondary Suite and Garden Suite Policy DEV-188; Building Bylaw No. 2273, 2020; Business Licence Bylaw No. 2274, 2020 (s. 5.32)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2400, 2023, consolidated July 20, 2026, ss. 5.35, 5.39](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-no-2400)
  - Official wording: "5.39 SECONDARY SUITES (SECONDARY DWELLING WITHIN A PRINCIPAL DWELLING)" … "5.35 GARDEN SUITE (SECONDARY DWELLING WITHIN A DETACHED ACCESSORY BUILDING)"
  - Source: [Secondary Suite and Garden Suite Policy DEV-188, Title](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/dev-188-secondary-suite-and-garden-suite-policypdf)
  - Official wording: "Secondary Suite and Garden Suite Policy"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2274, 2020, consolidated, s. 5.32](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/bylaw-no-2274-business-licence-bylaw-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "Secondary Suite & Garden Suite"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Zoning Bylaw No. 2400, 2023](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-no-2400) allows a **secondary suite** (s. 5.39) as an accessory use in the A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1 and RM2 zones, and some comprehensive development zones. It must be inside a single detached dwelling or one half of a duplex. Only one is allowed per principal dwelling unit. A **garden suite** (s. 5.35) is a detached accessory building, allowed in the same zones, one per principal dwelling. It needs municipal water and sewer, unless the lot is 1.0 ha or more with an approved septic system. In the A1 zone a secondary suite and garden suite together are allowed only as the Agricultural Land Commission Act allows.

Size and limits:

- Secondary suite: 33 m² (355 sq ft) to 110 m² (1,184 sq ft) or 40% of the home's habitable floor space, whichever is less.
- Garden suite: 33 to 110 m²; at least 3.0 m from the rear lot line and from the principal dwelling.
- R1 lots: 4 dwelling units in total with municipal water and sewer, 2 without.
- Parking: one extra off-street space for each suite, in addition to the spaces for the principal dwelling.
- Owner occupancy is not required (policy [DEV-188](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/dev-188-secondary-suite-and-garden-suite-policypdf)).

## Steps

1. Check your zone and, if you are on septic, whether a garden suite is possible.
2. Apply for a building permit. Registration of a new suite goes through the building permit process. A development permit may be needed in a development permit area, and a driveway permit may be too.
3. Register the suite ($125) and pay the $56 annual suite licence.

## Good to know

- Suites built before January 1, 2017 with an electrical permit can register as existing suites.
- Suites must be registered to be legal.
- Short-term rental of a suite is prohibited unless authorized under a valid Bed and Breakfast licence. Garden suites cannot be used as short-term rentals. See short-term-rental.
- Only a Type I home-based business is allowed in a suite.
- The District's web pages cite older zoning section numbers (5.42, 5.38); the current bylaw uses 5.39 and 5.35.

## Official forms and pages

- [Suites, District of Peachland](https://www.peachland.ca/suites)
- [Secondary Suite and Garden Suite Policy DEV-188 (PDF)](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/dev-188-secondary-suite-and-garden-suite-policypdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2400, 2023, consolidated July 20, 2026 (PDF)](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-no-2400)
- [Building Permit FAQs, District of Peachland](https://www.peachland.ca/departments/building-department/building-permit-faqs)

## Related questions

- [Peachland building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/building-permit.md)
- [Peachland building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Peachland zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Peachland short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/short-term-rental.md)
- [Peachland home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/home-based-business.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/secondary-suite.md)
- [Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/secondary-suite.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/secondary-suite.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/secondary-suite.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/secondary-suite.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Suites, District of Peachland](https://www.peachland.ca/suites) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Secondary Suite and Garden Suite Policy DEV-188 (PDF)](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/dev-188-secondary-suite-and-garden-suite-policypdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2400, 2023, consolidated July 20, 2026 (PDF)](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-no-2400) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Permit FAQs, District of Peachland](https://www.peachland.ca/departments/building-department/building-permit-faqs) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Development Application & Licence Fees Bylaw No. 2277, 2020, consolidated (PDF)](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/bylaw-2277-development-application-licence-fees-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2274, 2020, consolidated (PDF)](https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/bylaw-no-2274-business-licence-bylaw-consolidated) (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 District of Peachland. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/secondary-suite/_