{"title":"Port Coquitlam secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","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 Port Coquitlam","url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. In Port Coquitlam, secondary suites are allowed in the RS1 to RS4 zones (the Zoning Bylaw also lists the A zone), and coach houses or laneway homes (accessory dwelling units) on RS1 to RS4 lots without a duplex or triplex. A suite needs a building permit; a coach house needs a development permit first.","aliases":["basement suite port coquitlam","legal suite poco","coach house port coquitlam","laneway home","garden suite","accessory dwelling unit"],"cost":"Suite: building permit by construction value. Coach house development permit: $1,000 if it conforms to the zone, $1,500 if it varies the zone, plus a $100 refundable fee (Fees Bylaw 4415). The City page also mentions a $2,500 refundable landscaping deposit.","how_long":"The City states no timeframe. A coach house needs the development permit before the building permit.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing permit (eApply)","value":"https://my.portcoquitlam.ca/TempestprodNet/eApply/Prospero/Dashboard/Template/Welcome.aspx?TemplateName=SMALL-SCALE%20MULTI-UNIT%20HOUSING%20DEVELOPMENT%20PERMIT"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building (suites)","value":"604-927-5444"},{"type":"phone","label":"Planning (coach houses)","value":"604-927-5442"},{"type":"email","label":"Planning","value":"planning@portcoquitlam.ca"}],"documents":["Building permit application for a suite, with the Guide for Secondary Suites","Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Development Permit application for a coach house"],"forms":[{"title":"Secondary Suites (building permit)","url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/secondary-suites"},{"title":"Accessory Dwelling Units","url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/development-permits/accessory-dwelling-units"},{"title":"Secondary Suite Exemptions (utility billing)","url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/utility-bills/secondary-suite-exemptions"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Port Coquitlam building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Port Coquitlam zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/anmore","name":"Anmore","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/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, in the RS1, RS2, RS3 and RS4 zones per the City's permit page. The Zoning Bylaw's use table also lists a secondary suite as permitted in the A (agricultural) zone. Not allowed in a dwelling containing a child care facility.","short":"Yes, in RS1 to RS4 and A zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, City of Port Coquitlam","section":"Secondary Suites page","quotes":["Secondary suites are only permitted in RS-1, RS-2, RS-3 and RS-4 zones."]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","section":"Table 1.3 and Section III s. 10.2","quotes":["Table 1.3: Agricultural Zones Permitted Uses","Secondary suite ■","Secondary suites are not permitted in dwellings containing child care facilities."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"City page says RS1-RS4 only; Zoning Bylaw Table 1.3 also lists a secondary suite in Zone A. Bylaw followed. Table 2.3 lists it for RS1 to RS4."},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Yes, as an accessory dwelling unit (coach house, laneway home or detached garden suite) on lots in the RS1 to RS4 zones that do not contain a duplex or triplex. The Zoning Bylaw bars them on lots exempt under s. 481.4 of the Local Government Act, in prescribed transit-oriented areas, and at listed addresses.","short":"Yes, in RS1 to RS4 zones without duplex or triplex","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/development-permits/accessory-dwelling-units","title":"Accessory Dwelling Units, City of Port Coquitlam","section":"Accessory Dwelling Units page","quotes":["Also known as a coach house, laneway home, or detached garden suite","Lots must be in a residential small-scale zone (RS1, RS2, RS3, or RS4) and not contain a duplex or triplex."]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","section":"Table 2.3, Note 2","quotes":["Accessory dwelling units are not permitted on lots that are exempt under sec. 481.4"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Suite: floor area up to 40% of the dwelling it is in. Coach house (ADU): up to 90 m² excluding an attached garage or carport; cannot be strata subdivided or contain a secondary suite. RS lots: up to 3 dwelling units on lots of 280 m² or less; up to 4 on lots over 280 m² and under 4050 m² (6 within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","section":"Section III s. 10.1; Section II s. 2.5 (Density)","quotes":["Secondary suites must have a floor area not exceeding 40% of the floor area of the dwelling in which it is located.","In the RS zones, up to 3 dwelling units may be permitted on a lot that is 280 m 2 or less.","m2 and less than 4050 m2. If that lot is within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop, up to 6","17.2 The floor area of an accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 90m2 excluding an attached","In the RS zones, up to 4 dwelling units may be permitted on a lot that is greater than 280"]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/development-permits/accessory-dwelling-units","title":"Accessory Dwelling Units, City of Port Coquitlam","section":"Accessory Dwelling Units page","quotes":["Are small homes with a maximum size of 90 m2 (968 ft2)","May not be strata subdivided or be the principal dwelling on a lot","Can be rented, but cannot contain a secondary suite","The maximum height of a coach house is two storeys"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"Secondary suite and accessory dwelling unit: 1 space per dwelling unit, up to a total of 3 for an RS-zoned parcel. For an ADU the City also says the space must be independently accessible (not tandem), in a garage or on a parking pad.","short":"1 space per dwelling unit, up to 3 total","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4078%20-%20Parking%20and%20Development%20Management%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Parking and Development Management Bylaw 4078 (PDF)","section":"s. 8 (Residential Uses table)","quotes":["Secondary suite 1 per dwelling unit up to a total of 3 for a RS-zoned parcel","Accessory dwelling unit 1 per dwelling unit up to a total of 3 for a RS-zoned parcel"]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/development-permits/accessory-dwelling-units","title":"Accessory Dwelling Units, City of Port Coquitlam","section":"Accessory Dwelling Units page","quotes":["An ADU requires one independently accessible parking space (not tandem with the parking of any other dwelling) located either in a garage or a parking pad."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"Secondary suite: a building permit (plus sprinkler, energy and plumbing permits where applicable). Coach house (ADU): first a Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Development Permit, then a building permit. Fees Bylaw 4415: ADU development permit $1,000 if it conforms to the zone, $1,500 if it varies it, plus a $100 refundable fee. City page also says a $2,500 refundable landscaping deposit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, City of Port Coquitlam","section":"Secondary Suites page","quotes":["Building permits are required before you build, demolish, repair or alter most buildings, decks, mezzanines, retaining walls, garages, carports, secondary suites,","Other permits that may be required in addition to your building permit include:"]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/development-permits/accessory-dwelling-units","title":"Accessory Dwelling Units, City of Port Coquitlam","section":"Accessory Dwelling Units page","quotes":["Submit a complete Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Development Permit (DP) application","$1,100 Development Permit fee","$2,500 refundable landscaping deposit"]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule D (PDF)","section":"Schedule D, Table 1","quotes":["Table 1 Application Fees: Single Residential, Duplex and Agricultural Zones","Minimum Fee $2500 $2000 $2000 $1725 $2000 $1000 $1500","$1200 $1200 $1200 $300 $300 $100 $100","The Refundable Document Fee of $100 or $300 is held for the purposes of municipal costs associated"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Fees Bylaw 4415 Schedule D Table 1 shows an ADU development permit minimum fee of $1,000 if it conforms to zone ($1,500 if it varies the zone), with a $100 refundable fee; the City page rounds this as $1,100. Column order is as printed in the table. Homes with a suite also get a second utility billing (see City utility page)."},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw, 2008, No. 3630; Parking and Development Management Bylaw, 2018, No. 4078; Building and Plumbing Bylaw, 2009, No. 3710","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","section":"Title page","quotes":["ZONING BYLAW, 2008 Bylaw No. 3630"]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Building and Plumbing Bylaw, 2009, No. 3710"]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4078%20-%20Parking%20and%20Development%20Management%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Parking and Development Management Bylaw 4078 (PDF)","section":"Title page","quotes":["Parking and Development Management Bylaw, 2018"]}],"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 Port Coquitlam allows a secondary suite (inside the house) on RS1 to RS4 lots; [Zoning Bylaw 3630](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf) also lists it as permitted in the A (agricultural) zone. It is not allowed in a dwelling containing a child care facility. A detached accessory dwelling unit (coach house, laneway home or garden suite) is allowed on RS1 to RS4 lots that do not contain a duplex or triplex. The bylaw bars them on lots exempt under s. 481.4 of the Local Government Act, in prescribed transit-oriented areas, and at listed addresses.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check the zone on PoCoMAP.\n2. Suite: apply for a building permit, plus sprinkler, energy and plumbing permits where they apply.\n3. Coach house: first apply for a Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Development Permit, then a building permit.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Limits: a suite may take up to 40% of the floor area of its dwelling. A coach house is up to 90 m², excluding an attached garage or carport, and cannot be strata subdivided or contain a secondary suite.\n- RS lots: up to 3 dwelling units on lots of 280 m² or less; up to 4 on lots over 280 m² and under 4050 m² (6 within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop).\n- Parking: 1 space per dwelling unit, up to 3 for an RS lot (Bylaw 4078). For a coach house the City says the space must be independently accessible (not tandem), in a garage or on a pad.\n- Fees: see the cost line. The City page rounds the permit to $1,100; the bylaw figures are followed.\n- Homes with a suite also get a second utility billing; see the City's secondary suite exemptions page.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, City of Port Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/development-permits/accessory-dwelling-units","title":"Accessory Dwelling Units, City of Port Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/utility-bills/secondary-suite-exemptions","title":"Secondary Suite Exemptions, City of Port Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule D (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4078%20-%20Parking%20and%20Development%20Management%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Parking and Development Management Bylaw 4078 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)","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/port-coquitlam/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/secondary-suite.json"}}