{"title":"Rossland secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/rossland","name":"Rossland","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 Rossland","url":"https://rossland.ca"},"short_answer":"In Rossland, the Zoning Bylaw allows a secondary suite (inside a house) or an accessory dwelling unit (a detached garden suite, coach house or laneway home) in several zones, including RR, R-1 and R-3. You need a building permit. One suite per dwelling unit, with a separate entrance, and no strata.","aliases":["secondary suite rossland","carriage house rossland","laneway home rossland","basement suite rossland","garden suite rossland","accessory dwelling unit rossland"],"cost":"Building permit: $50 non-refundable application fee plus $10 per $1000 of declared or assessed value. Fees for a development permit or servicing permit are not covered here.","how_long":"See the building-permit answer for building permit timing.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"CloudPermit (Rossland)","value":"https://ca.cloudpermit.com/rossland/"},{"type":"email","label":"Planning and Development","value":"development.services@rossland.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Planning and Development","value":"250-362-2329"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2864, 2026 (PDF), section 4.1.3 Secondary Suites and Accessory Dwelling Units","url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924"},{"title":"CloudPermit Information (City page)","url":"https://rossland.ca/cloudpermit/"},{"title":"Building Permits and Inspections (City page)","url":"https://rossland.ca/building/permits/"},{"title":"Building Bylaw 2716, 2019 (PDF)","url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/6563"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Rossland building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Rossland building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/building-permit-fees/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/warfield","name":"Warfield","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/trail","name":"Trail","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/montrose","name":"Montrose","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fruitvale","name":"Fruitvale","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/castlegar","name":"Castlegar","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/salmo","name":"Salmo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/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":"Allowed in the RR, R-1, R-3 and R-GS zones, in C-2 (with a principal commercial use), in C-4, and in CD-1, CD-2, CD-3, CD-5 and CD-6, subject to s. 4.1.3. Not listed in R-DT, R-2, C-1, C-3, M-1 or P zones. One suite per dwelling unit; units must be side by side, not stacked.","short":"Yes, in RR, R-1, R-3, R-GS, C-2, C-4 and CD zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"s. 4.1.3(b), (c)","quotes":["A Secondary Suite, shown in Figure 4-1, may be permitted on the same parcel as a Single","Not more than one Secondary Suite shall be permitted within each Dwelling Unit.","A Secondary Suite or an Accessory Dwelling Unit must have a separate entrance","Secondary Suite in conjunction with a Principal Commercial Use","d) Secondary Suites and Accessory Dwelling Units"]},{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"s. 8.1 (RR) 3(a)","quotes":["A Secondary Suite or an Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be permitted subject to the provisions of Section 4.1.3;"]},{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"s. 8.3 (R-1) 3(a); 8.5 (R-3); 8.8 (R-GS)","quotes":["A Secondary Suite shall be permitted subject to the provisions of Section 4.1.3."]},{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"s. 9.2 (C-2) 2; 9.4 (C-4) 2","quotes":["Secondary Suite in conjunction with a Principal Commercial Use","Secondary Suites and Accessory Dwelling Units"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Yes. An accessory dwelling unit (garden suite, coach house or laneway home) is allowed in RR, R-1, R-3, R-GS, C-2 (with a principal commercial use), C-4, CD-1, CD-2, CD-3, CD-5 and CD-6, subject to s. 4.1.3. It must be fully above ground, no more than 6.0 m or 2 storeys (7.5 m or 2.5 storeys if built in a detached garage).","short":"Yes, in RR, R-1, R-3, R-GS, C-2, C-4 and CD zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"Definitions: Accessory Dwelling Unit","quotes":["This may include a garden suite, coach house, or laneway home.","An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be permitted subject to the provisions of Section 4.1.3.","An Accessory Dwelling Unit must be located fully above ground."]},{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"s. 4.1.3(d), (e), (f)","quotes":["An Accessory Dwelling Unit must not exceed a Height of 6.0 m or 2 Storeys, whichever is","the Building Height may be increased to 7.5 m or 2.5 Storeys, whichever is less.","An Accessory Dwelling Unit must be located fully above ground."]},{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"s. 8.3 (R-1) 3(b)","quotes":["An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be permitted subject to the provisions of Section 4.1.3."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"One secondary suite per dwelling unit, on the same lot as the principal residence, as one real estate entity (no strata), with a separate entrance. Zone caps on units per parcel apply: RR two; R-1 three (parcel 280 m² or less) or four. No short-term rental on a lot with a suite. No suite size or owner-occupancy rule found.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"s. 4.1.3(b), (g)","quotes":["Not more than one Secondary Suite shall be permitted within each Dwelling Unit.","must form part of a single real estate entity. No strata titling will","A Secondary Suite or an Accessory Dwelling Unit must have a separate entrance","Maximum number of Dwelling Units per Parcel: two (2), inclusive of all Principal Buildings and","For Parcels equal to or less than 280 m2 in size, a maximum of three (3) Dwelling Units are permitted","For Parcels greater than 280 m2 in size, a maximum of four (4) Dwelling Units are permitted"]},{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"Definitions: Short-Term Rental - Residential","quotes":["Short term rental - Residential use is prohibited in conjunction with a Secondary Suite or an Accessory Dwelling Unit."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"1 space per dwelling unit, and secondary suites and accessory dwelling units are listed in that class; a unit with 3 or more sleeping units needs 2 spaces.","short":"1 space per dwelling unit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"Table 5-1","quotes":["1 space per Dwelling Unit","2 spaces per Dwelling Unit with 3 or more","Sleeping Units Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing; Secondary Suite; Accessory Dwelling Unit"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is required for a new secondary suite. A development permit may also be required (for example in the wildfire interface zone, downtown, on a slope over 30%, or near a creek). New construction such as a carriage house needs an infrastructure servicing permit first.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://rossland.ca/building/permits/","title":"Building Permits & Inspections, City of Rossland","section":"Do you need a Building Permit?","quotes":["Construction of any new occupancy building, accessory building or secondary suite"]},{"url":"https://rossland.ca/building/permits/","title":"Building Permits & Inspections, City of Rossland","section":"What should I check before applying?","quotes":["A Development Permit - this is for any builds in the wildfire interface zone, downtown, the gateway area, if the build is in a multi-unit, on a slope over 30% or near a creek or riparian area etc."]},{"url":"https://rossland.ca/cloudpermit/","title":"CloudPermit Information, City of Rossland","section":"How to Submit an Application","quotes":["All new construction (eg: new single residential dwelling, multi-family dwelling, carriage house) must apply for an Infrastructure Servicing Permit first."]},{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"s. 4.1.3(a)","quotes":["the owner shall comply with all applicable provisions of the current British Columbia Building Code (BCBC) at the time of application."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"City of Rossland Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (s. 4.1.3 and the zone sections); Building Bylaw No. 2716, 2019","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"s. 1 (short title)","quotes":["This Bylaw shall be cited as the \"City of Rossland Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026.\""]},{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/6563","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2716, 2019 (PDF), City of Rossland","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["This bylaw may be cited as \"Building Bylaw No. 2716, 2019\"."]}],"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\nUnder Rossland's [Zoning Bylaw 2864](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924) (s. 4.1.3), a secondary suite (a self-contained dwelling unit within a building) is allowed in the RR, R-1, R-3 and R-GS zones, in C-2 (with a principal commercial use), in C-4, and in CD-1, CD-2, CD-3, CD-5 and CD-6. The bylaw does not list suites in R-DT, R-2, C-1, C-3, M-1 or the P zones.\n\nA detached accessory dwelling unit (garden suite, coach house or laneway home) is allowed in the same zones. It must be fully above ground and no more than 6.0 m or 2 storeys high (7.5 m or 2.5 storeys if built in a detached garage).\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone. See the zoning-lookup answer.\n2. Confirm with Planning and Development (250-362-2329) whether you also need a development permit, for example in the wildfire interface zone, downtown, on a slope over 30%, or near a creek.\n3. For new construction such as a carriage house, get an infrastructure servicing permit first.\n4. Apply for a building permit through CloudPermit.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Limits: one secondary suite per dwelling unit, on the same lot as the principal residence, as one real estate entity (no strata), with a separate entrance. Units must be side by side, not stacked.\n- Zone caps on units per parcel also apply: RR allows two dwelling units; R-1 allows three on a parcel of 280 m² or less, or four.\n- Parking: 1 space per dwelling unit. Secondary suites and accessory dwelling units are in that class. A unit with 3 or more sleeping units needs 2 spaces.\n- No short-term rental is allowed on a lot with a suite. See the short-term-rental answer.\n- The bylaw and City pages state no suite size limit or owner-occupancy rule. Ask Planning to confirm.","sources":[{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://rossland.ca/building/permits/","title":"Building Permits & Inspections, City of Rossland","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://rossland.ca/cloudpermit/","title":"CloudPermit Information, City of Rossland","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/6563","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2716, 2019 (PDF), City of Rossland","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://rossland.ca/planning/zoning/","title":"Zoning & Rezoning, City of Rossland","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/rossland/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/secondary-suite.json"}}