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

# Qualicum Beach secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Qualicum Beach's Zoning Bylaw allows an "ancillary dwelling unit", attached or detached, in the R1 and R2 zones and the rural A1 to A4 zones. A building permit is required. In R1 and R2 the limit is 4 dwelling units per parcel in total.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Qualicum Beach, https://www.qualicumbeach.com)  
**Cost:** Plan processing fee with the permit application: $40 (value under $10,000), $100 ($10,000 to $50,000) or $300 (over $50,000), plus the permit fee. See building-permit-fees.  
**How long:** Three to four weeks for complete residential applications (see building-permit).  
**Where:**
- Phone: Planning, Town Hall, 250-752-6921
- Phone: Building Inspection, 250-738-2202
- In person: Town Hall, #201-660 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** Yes. An 'Ancillary Dwelling Unit' is an accessory use in the Residential 1 (R1) and Residential 2 (R2) zones, and a permitted residential use in Rural zones A1 to A4. Check your zone in Zoning Bylaw No. 900.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version), s. 3.4.111 (R1), s. 3.4.112 (R2), s. 3.4.11 (A1)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Accessory Uses" … "d) Ancillary Dwelling Unit" … "e) Home Occupation" … "Residential Use - Single Detached Dwelling Unit - Ancillary Dwelling Unit"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version), Part 2, definition](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "ancillary dwelling unit means one self-contained unit with a separate entrance that is" … "having only one room equipped with a cooking facility"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** Yes, an ancillary dwelling unit may be attached or detached from the main house (the Town's B&B page says 'attached or detached'). In R1 and R2 an ancillary unit has its own height limit (6.5 m) and setbacks (for example 2.0 m from the rear lot line for the part not more than 8.0 m wide and 6.5 m high).
  - Source: [Bed & Breakfast Licence](https://qualicumbeach.com/town-services/licenses/bed-breakfast-licence/)
  - Official wording: "any ancillary dwelling unit, attached or detached, from the principal dwelling"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version), s. 3.4.111 (R1)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Ancillary Dwelling Unit 6.5m" … "Portion of an Ancillary Dwelling Unit not more than 8.0m in width and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** In R1 and R2, up to 4 dwelling units per parcel in total (all units, including an ancillary unit); ancillary unit height 6.5 m; one cooking facility only. In rural zones A1 and A2, 1 ancillary unit per parcel; A3, 1 per single detached dwelling; A4, 2.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version), s. 3.4.111, 3.4.112, 3.4.11 to 3.4.14](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Maximum number of dwelling units per parcel 4" … "Ancillary Dwelling Unit 6.5m" … "Ancillary Dwelling Unit 1" … "ancillary dwelling unit 1 per single detached dwelling" … "Ancillary dwelling unit 2"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** 1 off-street space per dwelling unit (the residential use rate), both in the Village Neighbourhood and elsewhere.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version), Schedule 3B, Table 1](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Residential Use 1 per dwelling unit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** A building permit is required to create a secondary suite or garden suite. The Town has a Secondary Suite Building Permit Application; the plan processing fee paid with it is $40 (value under $10,000), $100 ($10,000 to $50,000) or $300 (over $50,000). Applicants submit a title search, two sets of plans and other documents.
  - Source: [Building Applications and Resources, Building Permit FAQ](https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/building-permits/application-forms/)
  - Official wording: "Create a secondary suite or garden suite"
  - Source: [Secondary Suite Building Permit Application, Part 4 and Part 6](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Application%20Forms/Building%20Permits/Secondary%20Suite%20Building%20Permit%20Application%2Epdf)
  - Official wording: "SECONDARY SUITE APPLICATION FORM" … "Under $10,000 $40.00" … "$10,000 - $50,000 $100.00" … "Over $50,000 $300.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Town of Qualicum Beach Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024; Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version), title](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Town of Qualicum Beach Zoning Bylaw No. 900,"
  - Source: [Building Applications and Resources, Building Resources](https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/building-permits/application-forms/)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Qualicum Beach's [Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version).pdf) uses the term "ancillary dwelling unit". It is an accessory use in the Residential 1 (R1) and Residential 2 (R2) zones, and a permitted residential use in the rural zones A1 to A4. Some other zones list it as not applicable, so check your zone. The unit may be attached to or detached from the main house.

**Limits in R1 and R2:** up to 4 dwelling units per parcel in total (including the ancillary unit); ancillary unit height 6.5 m; one cooking facility only. Setbacks differ for an ancillary unit (for example 2.0 m from the rear lot line for the part not more than 8.0 m wide and 6.5 m high).

**Rural zones:** A1 and A2, 1 ancillary unit per parcel; A3, 1 per single detached dwelling; A4, 2.

**Parking:** 1 off-street space per dwelling unit; a lock-off unit needs 1 space.

**Permit:** a building permit is required to create a secondary suite or garden suite.

## Steps

1. Check your zone and the limits above (see zoning-lookup).
2. Fill out the Town's Secondary Suite Building Permit Application.
3. Submit it with a title search, two sets of plans and the other documents, plus the plan processing fee, at Town Hall or by mail.
4. Book inspections as work proceeds.

## Good to know

- The sections we read set no size limit in m² and no owner-occupancy rule for ancillary units. Confirm with Planning.
- The pages we read do not say whether a development permit is also needed. Ask Planning.
- Renting the suite for short stays is not allowed in residential zones; see short-term-rental.

## What you'll need

- Title search
- Two sets of plans
- Other documents listed on the Secondary Suite Building Permit Application

## Official forms and pages

- [Secondary Suite Building Permit Application (PDF)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Application%20Forms/Building%20Permits/Secondary%20Suite%20Building%20Permit%20Application%2Epdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (PDF)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version%29.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/secondary-suite.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/secondary-suite.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/secondary-suite.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/secondary-suite.md)
- [Sechelt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/secondary-suite.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version) (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Applications and Resources, Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/building-permits/application-forms/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Secondary Suite Building Permit Application (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Application%20Forms/Building%20Permits/Secondary%20Suite%20Building%20Permit%20Application%2Epdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bed & Breakfast Licence, Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/town-services/licenses/bed-breakfast-licence/) (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 Town of Qualicum Beach. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/secondary-suite/_