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Pemberton secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Pemberton?

Pemberton, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-09

Short answer

Pemberton permits secondary suites in detached homes. Unless the zone says otherwise, the limit is two suites per lot, with no more than two bedrooms in a suite.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowedIn R-1, a secondary suite is an accessory use to the permitted detached dwelling. Check the schedule for the actual parcel.Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018, Section 11.1.2, R-1 permitted accessory uses · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
11.1Residential 1 (R-1) The Residential 1 (R-1) Zone is intended to accommodate detached dwellings within residential neighbourhoods. 11.1.1 Permitted Principal Uses (a) Dwelling, Detached 11.1.2 Permitted Accessory Uses (a) Bed and Breakfast (b) Home Occupation (c) Secondary Suite (d) Short-Term Rental
Coach house or garden suite allowedWhere the zone permits a carriage house, the home is on the second storey above a garage, storage building or similar use. Keep it at least 3 m from the dwelling. The residential floor area may not exceed 90 m².Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018, Zoning Bylaw section 7.10(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
7.10 Carriage Houses (Amendment Bylaw No. 975, 2024/Adopted December 10, 2024) (a) Where permitted in a zone, carriage houses shall be subject to the following regulations: i. The distance between the permitted dwelling unit and the carriage house shall be a minimum of 3.0 m; ii. The accessory dwelling unit of the carriage house shall be located on the second storey of an accessory building over top of a garage, storage building, or similar; (Amendment Bylaw No. 924, 2022/Adopted May 17, 2022) iii. Notwithstanding any other regulation in a zone, accessory buildings with a carriage house may be constructed to a maximum height of two (2) storeys; iv. The gross floor area of the residential dwelling in a carriage house shall not exceed 90 m2;
LimitsA maximum of two bedrooms per suite. Unless the zone provides otherwise, up to two suites per lot.Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018, PDF p. 66 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
(b) Unless a zone specifically provides for otherwise, only two (2) secondary suites are permitted on a lot; (c) A secondary suite shall not have more than two (2) bedrooms;Village of Pemberton Zoning Bylaw 832, 2018
ParkingNot confirmed. Checked Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018; not found there.
PermitsNot confirmed. Checked Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018; not found there.
BylawVillage of Pemberton Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018, consolidated December 18, 2025.Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018, PDF p. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
ZONING BYLAW VILLAGE OF PEMBERTON BYLAW NO. 832, 2018 CONSOLIDATED VERSION Final Readings July 24, 2018 LAST OFFICE CONSOLIDATION: December 18, 2025

How it works

First identify the kind of dwelling you want to add. A suite inside the main building and a separate dwelling in a backyard building can have different names and different permissions in the zoning bylaw. A maximum of two bedrooms per suite. Unless the zone provides otherwise, up to two suites per lot.

Steps

  1. Check the housing guidance in Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018 (PDF). Find the parcel's zone and look up the dwelling type you intend to create. Describe whether the space is existing, new or part of a detached building.
  2. Show the existing dwellings, proposed entrance and parking on a sketch. Ask planning about permitted use and the building office about the work needed for the space.

Good to know

  • Where the zone permits a carriage house, the home is on the second storey above a garage, storage building or similar use. Keep it at least 3 m from the dwelling. The residential floor area may not exceed 90 m².
  • In R-1, a secondary suite is an accessory use to the permitted detached dwelling. Check the schedule for the actual parcel.
  • Enter your address on Pemberton’s map or locate the parcel manually.
  • When discussing an existing unit, distinguish what a current zone permits from any approvals already on file for that particular unit.
  • For a question about the dwelling type, the zone and whether the proposed suite is attached or detached, call the Municipal Hall at 604-894-6135.

The same question in other places

Whistler · Squamish · Lillooet · Lytton · Lions Bay · Anmore

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
  2. Using the Village geographic information system (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
  3. Pemberton municipal office contact information (read 2026-11-09)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.