Penticton secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?

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

Short answer

Yes, in some zones. The Zoning Bylaw allows a secondary suite in the FG, A, RC, R4-L, R4-S, RM1, RM2 and RM3 zones, and a carriage house in FG, A, RC, R4-L and R4-S. Both need City permits and an occupancy certificate before anyone moves in. The suite permit fee is $450.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowed	A secondary suite is a permitted use in the FG, A and RC rural zones and the R4-L, R4-S, RM1, RM2 and RM3 residential zones, subject to s. 8.1. It needs a community sewer connection unless the lot is at least 830 m² and meets the sewage system regulation.Sources differ: The City page lists only FG, A, RC, R4-L and R4-S. The zoning bylaw (followed) also lists the secondary suite as a permitted use in RM1, RM2 and RM3. Check the property zone on the Property Viewer. ALR land also needs to meet Agricultural Land Commission rules.Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), ss. 8.1 and 8.2, ss. 9.1-9.3, 10.1-10.5, 8.1.2; Secondary Suites, Where are Secondary Suites Permitted? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording secondary suite (subject to accessory suites regulation 8.1) RM1 – Bareland Strata Housing RM2 – Low Density Multiple Housing RM3 – Medium Density Multiple Housing unless the lot area is at least 830 m² and meets the requirements of the Secondary suites are permitted within a single detached dwelling in any of the following zones.
Coach house or garden suite allowed	A carriage house is permitted on lots with a single detached dwelling in the FG, A and RC rural zones and the R4-L and R4-S zones. In the rural zones only one carriage house per property and not together with a secondary suite.Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), ss. 8.1 and 8.2, ss. 8.2, 9.1-9.3, 10.1, 10.2; Carriage Houses, Where are Carriage Houses Permitted? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording carriage house (subject to accessory suites regulation 8.2) In the A, FG, and RC zones only one (1) carriage house shall be permitted per property and shall not be allowed in conjunction with a secondary suite in a Carriage houses are permitted on lots that contain a single detached dwelling in any of the following zones:
Limits	One secondary suite per dwelling unit; no separate title or strata lot; 5 m² of private outdoor amenity space. Carriage house: no separate title; floor area up to 135 m² in R4-L and R4-S (150 m² rural); in R4 zones 5.0 m and one storey where there is no lane (7.0 m and two storeys with lane access).Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), ss. 8.1 and 8.2, ss. 8.1, 8.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No more than one (1) secondary suite shall be permitted within a dwelling unit. may not be sited or located on a separate titled parcel from the principal residence or be created as a strata lot within the dwelling unit. A minimum of 5 m2 of amenity space, outdoor shall be provided individually for the Maximum Carriage House Floor 135 m2 Maximum Carriage House Floor 150 m2 Where no lane exists, the maximum height is 5.0 m and one storey.
Parking	No parking space is required for a secondary suite or carriage house (the parking table lists 0 per accessory suite).Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), ss. 8.1 and 8.2, Table 6.6, s. 6.5; Planning and Land Use, Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing Initiative · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Secondary Suite or Carriage House 0 per accessory suite Remove parking requirements for carriage houses and secondary suites
Permits	A building permit and/or plumbing permit is needed before building a suite; an existing unpermitted suite is legalized through the building permit process with an inspection. Carriage houses also need BC Housing registration and an occupancy certificate. A business licence is needed to rent it short-term.Secondary Suites, Next Steps: Permits; Carriage Houses, Next Steps; When Are Permits Required? Building Bulletin 13-01 (revised March 7, 2025), Bulletin 13-01, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Prior to constructing a secondary suite, a building permit and/or plumbing permit must be issued by the Evidence must be provided through the building permit process that the suite generally conforms to the BC Building Code requirements for secondary suites. A building permit/plumbing permit must be applied for and issued prior to constructing a carriage house. An occupancy certificate is required prior to anyone occupying the new space. new dwelling units or substantial additions will require registration with the BC Housing
Bylaw	Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (s. 8.1 Secondary Suite, s. 8.2 Carriage Houses); Building Bylaw No. 2021-21.Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), ss. 8.1 and 8.2, ss. 8.1, 8.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Secondary Suite (Bylaw No. 2026-21) Carriage Houses

How it works

Under Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (sections 8.1 and 8.2), a secondary suite is allowed in the zones above, subject to the bylaw's rules. It needs a community sewer connection unless the lot is at least 830 m² and meets the sewage system regulation. A carriage house is permitted on lots with a single detached dwelling; it cannot be sold separately. In the rural zones only one carriage house is allowed per property, and not together with a secondary suite. Land in the Agricultural Land Reserve must also meet Agricultural Land Commission rules.

Steps

Check your zone on the Property Viewer and read the bylaw and the City's bulletin.
Book a free pre-application meeting with the Building and Planning department.
Apply for a building permit and/or plumbing permit with plans that let staff check the BC Building Code rules for suites.
Pass the inspections. A carriage house also needs BC Housing registration, and an occupancy certificate is required before anyone occupies the new space.

Good to know

Suite limits: one secondary suite per dwelling unit, no separate title or strata lot, and 5 m² of private outdoor amenity space.
Carriage house limits: floor area up to 135 m² in R4-L and R4-S (150 m² in rural zones). In R4 zones it is 5.0 m high and one storey where there is no lane (7.0 m and two storeys with lane access), with a 1.5 m rear setback, and no decks, balconies or roof top patios. Rural lots without municipal sewer need at least 1 ha.
No parking space is required for a suite or carriage house.
To legalize an existing suite, use the building permit process; it needs an inspection.
A business licence is needed to rent either one short-term; the 2026 licence fee for a suite or carriage house is $210 a year. See short-term-rental.
The City advises speaking with your neighbours before planning a carriage house.

What you'll need

Completed application package from the Building Permit Applications and Forms page
Agency Agreement, if someone applies for you
For a carriage house, BC Housing registration and plans

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Summerland · Peachland · Oliver · Keremeos · West Kelowna · Kelowna

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

Sources

Secondary Suites, City of Penticton (read 2026-10-29)
Carriage Houses, City of Penticton (read 2026-10-29)
Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), ss. 8.1 and 8.2 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2014-07 (consolidated October 2026), Appendices 4 and 5 (PDF) (read 2026-10-29)
When Are Permits Required? Building Bulletin 13-01 (revised March 7, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Planning and Land Use, City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)

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