---
title: Port Coquitlam secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?"
place: Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-coquitlam
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Port Coquitlam
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/secondary-suite.json"
---

# Port Coquitlam secondary suite and carriage house rules

**Question:** Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Port Coquitlam, https://www.portcoquitlam.ca)  
**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:**
- Online: Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing permit (eApply), https://my.portcoquitlam.ca/TempestprodNet/eApply/Prospero/Dashboard/Template/Welcome.aspx?TemplateName=SMALL-SCALE%20MULTI-UNIT%20HOUSING%20DEVELOPMENT%20PERMIT
- Phone: Building (suites), 604-927-5444
- Phone: Planning (coach houses), 604-927-5442
- Email: Planning, planning@portcoquitlam.ca

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** 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. (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.)
  - Source: [Secondary Suites, Secondary Suites page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/secondary-suites)
  - Official wording: "Secondary suites are only permitted in RS-1, RS-2, RS-3 and RS-4 zones."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3630, Table 1.3 and Section III s. 10.2](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Table 1.3: Agricultural Zones Permitted Uses" … "Secondary suite ■" … "Secondary suites are not permitted in dwellings containing child care facilities."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Accessory Dwelling Units, Accessory Dwelling Units page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/development-permits/accessory-dwelling-units)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3630, Table 2.3, Note 2](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Accessory dwelling units are not permitted on lots that are exempt under sec. 481.4"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** 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).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3630, Section III s. 10.1; Section II s. 2.5 (Density)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Accessory Dwelling Units, Accessory Dwelling Units page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/development-permits/accessory-dwelling-units)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** 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.
  - Source: [Parking and Development Management Bylaw 4078, s. 8 (Residential Uses table)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4078%20-%20Parking%20and%20Development%20Management%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Accessory Dwelling Units, Accessory Dwelling Units page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/development-permits/accessory-dwelling-units)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** 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. (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).)
  - Source: [Secondary Suites, Secondary Suites page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/secondary-suites)
  - Official wording: "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:"
  - Source: [Accessory Dwelling Units, Accessory Dwelling Units page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/development-permits/accessory-dwelling-units)
  - Official wording: "Submit a complete Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Development Permit (DP) application" … "$1,100 Development Permit fee" … "$2,500 refundable landscaping deposit"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule D, Schedule D, Table 1](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw, 2008, No. 3630; Parking and Development Management Bylaw, 2018, No. 4078; Building and Plumbing Bylaw, 2009, No. 3710
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3630, Title page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf)
  - Official wording: "ZONING BYLAW, 2008 Bylaw No. 3630"
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 1](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Building and Plumbing Bylaw, 2009, No. 3710"
  - Source: [Parking and Development Management Bylaw 4078, Title page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4078%20-%20Parking%20and%20Development%20Management%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Parking and Development Management Bylaw, 2018"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The 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.

## Steps

1. Check the zone on PoCoMAP.
2. Suite: apply for a building permit, plus sprinkler, energy and plumbing permits where they apply.
3. Coach house: first apply for a Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Development Permit, then a building permit.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Fees: see the cost line. The City page rounds the permit to $1,100; the bylaw figures are followed.
- Homes with a suite also get a second utility billing; see the City's secondary suite exemptions page.

## What you'll need

- Building permit application for a suite, with the Guide for Secondary Suites
- Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Development Permit application for a coach house

## Official forms and pages

- [Secondary Suites (building permit)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/secondary-suites)
- [Accessory Dwelling Units](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/development-permits/accessory-dwelling-units)
- [Secondary Suite Exemptions (utility billing)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/utility-bills/secondary-suite-exemptions)
- [Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Port Coquitlam building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit.md)
- [Port Coquitlam zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/secondary-suite.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/secondary-suite.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/secondary-suite.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/secondary-suite.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/secondary-suite.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Secondary Suites, City of Port Coquitlam](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/secondary-suites) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Accessory Dwelling Units, City of Port Coquitlam](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/development-permits/accessory-dwelling-units) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Secondary Suite Exemptions, City of Port Coquitlam](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/utility-bills/secondary-suite-exemptions) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule D (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Parking and Development Management Bylaw 4078 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/4078%20-%20Parking%20and%20Development%20Management%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Port Coquitlam. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/secondary-suite/_