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

# Revelstoke secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes, in Revelstoke most residential and mixed-use zones allow one secondary suite, carriage suite and garden suite per principal dwelling unit, within the zone's density. You need a building permit. A suite may not exceed 40% of the combined usable floor space, up to 120 m².

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Revelstoke, https://www.revelstoke.ca)  
**Cost:** Building permit $126 plus $11 per $1,000 of value, plus a plumbing permit if fixtures are added. The business licence fee schedule also lists $58 for secondary, garden and carriage suites.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building Services, 250-837-3637
- Email: Building Services, building@revelstoke.ca

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** Yes: one secondary suite per principal dwelling unit in a single-detached, two-unit or multi-unit dwelling, within the zone's density. Accessory dwelling units are listed in R-LD1, R-LD2, R-LD3, R-LD5, R-LD6, R-LD7, R-MD1, MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, CD-02, CD-05, CD-06, CD-08 (Sub-Area F) and CD-10.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449, Zoning Bylaw s. 5.2.1(1) and zone permitted-use lists](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/)
  - Official wording: "(1) A single-detached dwelling, two-unit dwelling, or a multi-unit dwelling may contain one" … "(1) secondary suite per principal dwelling unit, subject to the density provisions of the" … "(5) Accessory dwelling unit" … "(1) A single-detached dwelling, two-unit dwelling, or a multi-unit dwelling may contain one" … "(5) Accessory dwelling unit (secondary suite)" … "(4) Accessory dwelling unit (secondary suite)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** Yes: one carriage suite and one garden suite per principal dwelling unit (zone density applies) in the zones listing accessory dwelling units, except CD-10 Sub Zones B and C (secondary suites only) and CD-08 (carriage suites only, own rules). Not in the front yard setback or in front of the house. Height 6.0 m garden, 8.0 m carriage.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449, Zoning Bylaw s. 5.2.2 and 5.2.3](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/)
  - Official wording: "(4) A carriage suite shall not be located in the front yard setback area or in front of the" … "(5) A carriage suite must meet a 1.5 m minimum setback from the side lot line and rear lot" … "(7) A carriage suite must not exceed a building height of 8.0 m (inclusive of a first storey" … "(7) A garden suite must not exceed a building height of 6.0 m." … "(4) A garden suite shall not be located in the front yard setback area or in front of the" … "(4) A carriage suite shall not be located in the front yard setback area or in front of the" … "(5) Accessory dwelling unit (secondary suite)" … "(4) Accessory dwelling unit (carriage suite)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** Each suite may not exceed 40% of the combined usable floor space of the main unit and suite, up to 120 m². It must be within a single real estate entity with the main dwelling (not separately titled). Needs a separate exterior entrance (or shared entrance with its own inside corridor door) and 10 m² of usable open space (5 m² on lots 350 m² or less).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449, Zoning Bylaw s. 5.2.1](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/)
  - Official wording: "(2) A secondary suite shall not exceed 40% of the total combined usable floor space of the" … "principal dwelling unit and the secondary suite, up to a maximum of 120.0 sq. m." … "(3) A secondary suite shall be located within a single real estate entity comprised of the" … "(4) A secondary suite shall contain a separate exterior entrance, or a shared entrance with" … "(5) A minimum of 10.0 sq. m of usable open space is required for the occupant of the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** 1 parking space per accessory dwelling unit, but none if the unit has less than 29.0 m² of usable floor space. The suite must have a parking area with uninhibited access to a City street or lane.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449, Zoning Bylaw s. 11.2(4), 5.2.1(6)](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/)
  - Official wording: "(4) Accessory dwelling unit a. 1.0 parking spaces per dwelling unit" … "accessory dwelling units less than 29.0 sq. m in usable floor space shall require 0.0 parking" … "(6) A secondary suite shall be provided a parking area with uninhibited access to a City"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** A building permit (with a plumbing permit if fixtures are added) is required; the City has a Secondary Suite checklist. Applicants must confirm no development permit or variance is needed, because a building permit is not accepted until those are applied for. The OCP exempts accessory dwelling units from a development permit in most commercial, mixed-use and multi-family permit areas.
  - Source: [Secondary Suite Building Permit Checklist, March 2025, Secondary Suite Building Permit Checklist (March 2025)](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/13111/Secondary-Suites-Fillable-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Secondary Suite Building Permit Application within an" … "Please confirm your application complies with Zoning and does" … "building permit will not be accepted until these other permits" … "Plumbing Permit" … "If any new fixtures are being installed or altered,"
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2332, OCP s. 5.1.2(h)](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/198773)
  - Official wording: "(h) Construction of an accessory dwelling unit, single-detached dwelling, or a two-unit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Revelstoke Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025 (s. 5.2 Accessory Dwelling Units); Building Bylaw No. 2294
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449, Zoning Bylaw s. 5.2](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/)
  - Official wording: "City of Revelstoke Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025" … "5.2.1 Secondary Suites"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 1](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/42465)
  - Official wording: "City of Revelstoke Building Bylaw No."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City's [Zoning Bylaw 2406](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/) (section 5.2) allows one secondary suite, one carriage suite and one garden suite per principal dwelling unit in a single-detached, two-unit or multi-unit dwelling, within the zone's density. Accessory dwelling units are listed as a permitted use in these zones: R-LD1, R-LD2, R-LD3, R-LD5, R-LD6, R-LD7, R-MD1, MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, CD-02, CD-05, CD-06, CD-08 (Sub-Area F) and CD-10. Other zones, including R-LD4, R-MD2, R-MD3, R-HD1, R-HD2, MU-4, and the commercial, industrial and park zones, do not list them. Check your zone on the City's map.

Exceptions: CD-10 Sub Zones B and C allow secondary suites only, and CD-08 allows carriage suites only, under its own rules.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone allows a suite, and whether you need a development permit or variance. The City will not accept a building permit until those are applied for.
2. Apply for a building permit using the Secondary Suite checklist, with a plumbing permit if you add fixtures. See the building-permit answer.
3. Builders need a City or Inter-Community business licence.

## Good to know

- **Size:** a suite may not exceed 40% of the combined usable floor space of the main unit and suite, up to 120 m².
- **Title:** the suite must be in a single real estate entity with the main dwelling, not separately titled.
- **Entrance and open space:** a separate exterior entrance, or a shared entrance with its own inside corridor door; 10 m² of usable open space (5 m² on lots of 350 m² or less).
- **Parking:** one space per suite, but none if the suite has less than 29.0 m² of usable floor space. The parking area must have uninhibited access to a City street or lane.
- **Carriage and garden suites:** not in the front yard setback or in front of the house. Height up to 8.0 m (carriage) or 6.0 m (garden). Rear setback is 3.0 m where the lot abuts a residential-zoned lot. They need direct street or lane access, or a 1.0 m durable path from the suite's parking to its entrance.
- A bed and breakfast cannot run from a secondary suite, and a short-term rental is not allowed in a carriage or garden suite.
- The Official Community Plan exempts accessory dwelling units from a development permit only in the Downtown, Scenic Corridor, Multi-Family, Resort, Commercial and Industrial areas. The Environmentally Sensitive and Hazardous areas apply to all land.

## What you'll need

- Completed Building Permit Application package
- Secondary Suite checklist items (plans and drawings)
- Plumbing permit, if fixtures are added
- Development permit or variance approval, if your property needs one

## Official forms and pages

- [Secondary Suites Building Permit Checklist (PDF)](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/13111/Secondary-Suites-Fillable-PDF)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025 (PDF), section 5.2 Accessory Dwelling Units](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/)

## Related questions

- [Revelstoke building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/building-permit.md)
- [Revelstoke zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Revelstoke short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/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)
- [Sicamous](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/secondary-suite.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/secondary-suite.md)
- [Nakusp](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/secondary-suite.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/secondary-suite.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/secondary-suite.md)
- [Golden](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449 (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Secondary Suite Building Permit Checklist, March 2025 (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/13111/Secondary-Suites-Fillable-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2294 (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/42465) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2332 (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/198773) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, consolidated (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/145989) (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 Revelstoke. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/secondary-suite/_