{"title":"Salmon Arm secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/salmon-arm","name":"Salmon Arm","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 Salmon Arm","url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca"},"short_answer":"In Salmon Arm a secondary suite is permitted in the R-5, R-10, R-11, R-13, R-14, R-17 and R-19 zones and in the A-1, A-2 and A-3 zones, but not every zone allows one, so check yours. A suite needs a building permit and an Occupancy Certificate, and sometimes a Development Permit.","aliases":["basement suite salmon arm","legal suite salmon arm","carriage house salmon arm","accessory dwelling unit salmon arm","secondary suite bylaw salmon arm"],"cost":"Building permit fees apply (see building-permit-fees). The documents read give no separate suite permit fee.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-803-4000"},{"type":"email","label":"Utilities (suite non-use declaration)","value":"utilities@salmonarm.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall, Development Services","value":"500 2 Avenue NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4N2"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Infill Housing and Single Family Residential page","url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/469/Infill-Housing-and-Single-Family-Residen"},{"title":"Secondary Suite FAQs (PDF)","url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/5884"},{"title":"Secondary Suite Non-Use Declaration (PDF)","url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/7526"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Salmon Arm building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Salmon Arm zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Salmon Arm short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/short-term-rental/"}],"nearby":[],"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":"Permitted in the R-10, R-11, R-13 (one suite), R-14, R-17, R-19 and R-5 zones, and in the A-1, A-2 and A-3 zones (one suite or one rural accessory dwelling unit). Not every zone allows one; check your zone.","short":"Yes, in R-5, R-10, R-11, R-13, R-14, R-17, R-19, A zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/74","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2303 (PDF, consolidated August 2026), City of Salmon Arm","section":"s. 6.3, 7.3, 8.3, 9.3, 12.3, 14.3, 34.3","quotes":["single family dwelling with or without secondary suite(s);","single family dwelling with or without one secondary suite","The following uses and no others are permitted in the R-14 Zone:","secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit in compliance with s. 4.2 of this Bylaw","one secondary suite or one rural accessory dwelling unit (refer to the Agricultural Land Commission Act and",".11 secondary suite #4579"]},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/469/Infill-Housing-and-Single-Family-Residen","title":"Infill Housing and Single Family Residential, City of Salmon Arm","section":"Infill Housing page","quotes":["Most residential properties within the urban containment boundary (PDF) AND serviced by both City water and sewer will be allowed to have up to four (4) dwelling units"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Yes, as an 'accessory dwelling unit' in R-10, R-11 (fee simple parcels) and R-17, and either a suite or a detached unit in R-19. In A-1, A-2 and A-3 it is a 'rural accessory dwelling unit' (subject to Agricultural Land Commission rules). It may not be used for short-term rental or B and B.","short":"Yes, in R-10, R-11, R-17, R-19; rural in A-1 to A-3","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/74","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2303 (PDF, consolidated August 2026), City of Salmon Arm","section":"s. 6.3.3, 7.3.2, 12.3.3, 14.3.2, 4.2.6, 34.3.3","quotes":["accessory dwelling unit(s) in compliance with s. 4.2 of this Bylaw;","accessory dwelling unit(s) on fee simple parcels in compliance with s. 4.2 of this Bylaw","No Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be used for short term rental or bed and breakfast.","one secondary suite or one rural accessory dwelling unit (refer to the Agricultural Land Commission Act and"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"R-10: no more than 2 dwelling units on parcels of 4,050 m² or more, 3 under 280 m², and 4 between those sizes. R-19 and A zones: the house plus one suite or detached unit. Suites cannot be strata titled and must share water and sewer. The 90 m² size cap now applies only in A-1 to A-3 and ALR land.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/74","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2303 (PDF, consolidated August 2026), City of Salmon Arm","section":"s. 6.4 (R-10), 34.4 (A-1), 4.2.7","quotes":["No more than two dwelling units are permitted on a parcel of area 4050 square metres (1 acre) or more, where the","No more than four dwelling units are permitted per parcel of area between 280 and 4050 square metres (3014","The maximum number of dwelling units shall be two per parcel comprising of the principal use dwelling and one","Subdivision and strata subdivision of an Accessory Dwelling Unit is prohibited.","a single family dwelling and either a secondary suite or"]},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/5884","title":"Secondary Suite FAQs (PDF, May 2024), City of Salmon Arm","section":"Secondary Suite FAQs","quotes":["Suites cannot be strata titled and must share water and sewer connections/services with the principal dwelling.","BUT it remains in effect"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"1 space per suite (secondary, detached or rural detached), in the parking table. The single family dwelling itself needs 2.","short":"1 space per suite; house needs 2","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/74","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2303 (PDF, consolidated August 2026), City of Salmon Arm","section":"Appendix I, Table A1-1","quotes":["Accessory Dwelling Unit (secondary, detached, 1 per suite","Single Family Dwelling 2 per dwelling unit"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit and an Occupancy Certificate are needed even where zoning allows the suite. A Development Permit may also be required in some cases, along with Homeowner Protection Act registration.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/5884","title":"Secondary Suite FAQs (PDF, May 2024), City of Salmon Arm","section":"Secondary Suite FAQs","quotes":["No. Despite that zoning may enable your suite, you still require a building permit and"]},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/469/Infill-Housing-and-Single-Family-Residen","title":"Infill Housing and Single Family Residential, City of Salmon Arm","section":"Infill Housing page","quotes":["Note, if you are applying to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit or Secondary Suite to your property a building permit and in some cases Development Permit as well as registration under the Homeowners Protection Act may also be required."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2303 (s. 4.2 and zone sections) and Building Bylaw No. 4725","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/74","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2303 (PDF, consolidated August 2026), City of Salmon Arm","section":"title and s. 2","quotes":["SECONDARY SUITE means a self-contained dwelling unit within but accessory to a principal use single family"]},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/204","title":"Building Bylaw No. 4725 (adopted July 27, 2026), City of Salmon Arm","section":"title","quotes":["City of Salmon Arm Building Bylaw No. 4725"]}],"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\nA secondary suite is a self-contained unit within a single family dwelling or duplex. A detached \"accessory dwelling unit\" is a dwelling unit in an accessory building (not a mobile home or RV). Under [Zoning Bylaw No. 2303](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/74):\n\n- A suite is permitted in the R-10, R-11, R-13 (one suite), R-14, R-17, R-19 and R-5 zones, and in the A-1, A-2 and A-3 zones (one suite or one rural accessory dwelling unit).\n- A detached accessory dwelling unit is allowed in R-10, R-11 (fee simple parcels) and R-17, and in R-19 as either a suite or a detached unit. In A-1, A-2 and A-3 it is a \"rural accessory dwelling unit\", subject to Agricultural Land Commission rules. R-13 and R-14 do not list detached units.\n\nZoning that allows a suite does not make it legal. A building permit and an Occupancy Certificate are needed, and a Development Permit and Homeowner Protection Act registration may also be required.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone with Development Services.\n2. Submit two sets of drawings with a building permit application. The Occupancy Certificate is issued after the final inspection.\n3. Ask whether a Development Permit is also needed.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- R-10: no more than 2 dwelling units on parcels of 4,050 m² or more, 3 under 280 m², and 4 between those sizes. R-19 and A zones: the house plus one suite or detached unit.\n- Suites cannot be strata titled and must share water and sewer. The 90 m² size cap now applies only in A-1 to A-3 and ALR land.\n- Parking: 1 space per suite; the house itself needs 2.\n- An accessory dwelling unit may not be used for short-term rental or bed and breakfast.\n- In R-10 the accessory building holding the unit may be up to 6.0 m high (7.5 m with larger setbacks) and up to 20% of the parcel.\n- If your suite sits empty, file the [Secondary Suite Non-Use Declaration](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/7526) with Utilities (250-803-4031, utilities@salmonarm.ca). A change in occupancy must be declared within seven days.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/469/Infill-Housing-and-Single-Family-Residen","title":"Infill Housing and Single Family Residential, City of Salmon Arm","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/5884","title":"Secondary Suite FAQs (PDF, May 2024), City of Salmon Arm","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/74","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2303 (PDF, consolidated August 2026), City of Salmon Arm","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/7526","title":"Secondary Suite Non-Use Declaration (PDF), City of Salmon Arm","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/204","title":"Building Bylaw No. 4725 (adopted July 27, 2026), City of Salmon Arm","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/salmon-arm/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/secondary-suite.json"}}