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Sicamous secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Sicamous?

Sicamous, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-09

Short answer

A secondary suite in Sicamous needs its own outside entrance. Ask Development Services to check the parcel’s zone, proposed floor area and dwelling type before planning a suite or coach house.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowedR-1 lists a secondary suite as an accessory use. The two-unit parcel limit allows a principal dwelling plus a secondary suite or a principal dwelling plus one detached accessory dwelling.Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, Part 4, R-1 general residential, uses and density · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
.2 R-1 General Residential INTENT This zone is intended to support low-density residential Parcels. PERMITTED USES .1 Principal Uses x Single-Unit Dwelling x Two-Unit Dwelling .2 Accessory Uses x Bed & Breakfast x Home Based Business x Coach House x Secondary Suite x Garden Suite
.3 Density Maximum number of Principal Dwelling Units per x 1 Single-Unit Dwelling; or Parcel: 1 Two-Unit Dwelling Maximum number of Dwelling Units per Parcel: x 2; 1 Principal Dwelling Unit and 1 detached Accessory Dwelling Unit or 1 Principal Dwelling Unit and 1 Secondary Suite.
Coach house or garden suite allowedCoach houses and garden suites are listed accessory uses in R-1. Check the parcel's permitted dwelling combination and the requirements for the chosen building.Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, Part 4, R-1 general residential, accessory uses and density · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
.2 R-1 General Residential INTENT This zone is intended to support low-density residential Parcels. PERMITTED USES .1 Principal Uses x Single-Unit Dwelling x Two-Unit Dwelling .2 Accessory Uses x Bed & Breakfast x Home Based Business x Coach House x Secondary Suite x Garden Suite
.3 Density Maximum number of Principal Dwelling Units per x 1 Single-Unit Dwelling; or Parcel: 1 Two-Unit Dwelling Maximum number of Dwelling Units per Parcel: x 2; 1 Principal Dwelling Unit and 1 detached Accessory Dwelling Unit or 1 Principal Dwelling Unit and 1 Secondary Suite.
LimitsA secondary suite needs a separate outside entrance. Where permitted, the secondary dwelling must have at least 33 m² and may occupy up to 45% of the principal building’s floor area.Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, PDF p. 41–42 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
.6 Secondary Dwelling Unit The following regulations shall apply in zones where a Secondary Dwelling Unit is a permitted use: a. Off-Street Parking shall be provided in accordance with Schedule D of this Bylaw; b. the Floor Area of a Secondary Dwelling Unit shall: Bylaw No. 1100, 2024 | PART 3 Page 37 of 146 (i) Not exceed 45% of the Floor Area of the Principal Building on the Parcel on which the Secondary Dwelling Unit is located; and (ii) Have a minimum Floor Area of 33 m²; c. a Secondary Suite shall have a separate entrance from the outside;
ParkingProvide off-street parking as required by Schedule D of the zoning bylaw.Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, PDF p. 41 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
.6 Secondary Dwelling Unit The following regulations shall apply in zones where a Secondary Dwelling Unit is a permitted use: a. Off-Street Parking shall be provided in accordance with Schedule D of this Bylaw;
PermitsNot confirmed. Checked CONSOLIDATED DATE, Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024; not found there.
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024.Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, PDF p. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
District of Sicamous Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024 Effective Date – September 11, 2024

How it works

First identify the kind of dwelling you want to add. A suite inside the main building and a separate dwelling in a backyard building can have different names and different permissions in the zoning bylaw. A secondary suite needs a separate outside entrance. Where permitted, the secondary dwelling must have at least 33 m² and may occupy up to 45% of the principal building’s floor area.

Steps

  1. Check the housing guidance in Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024 (PDF). Find the parcel's zone and look up the dwelling type you intend to create. Describe whether the space is existing, new or part of a detached building.
  2. Show the existing dwellings, proposed entrance and parking on a sketch. Ask planning about permitted use and the building office about the work needed for the space.

Good to know

  • Provide off-street parking as required by Schedule D of the zoning bylaw.
  • Coach houses and garden suites are listed accessory uses in R-1. Check the parcel's permitted dwelling combination and the requirements for the chosen building.
  • R-1 lists a secondary suite as an accessory use. The two-unit parcel limit allows a principal dwelling plus a secondary suite or a principal dwelling plus one detached accessory dwelling.
  • When discussing an existing unit, distinguish what a current zone permits from any approvals already on file for that particular unit.
  • For a question about the dwelling type, the zone and whether the proposed suite is attached or detached, call the planning office at 250-836-2477.

The same question in other places

Enderby · Armstrong · Spallumcheen · Revelstoke · Sun Peaks · Lumby

Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
  2. District of Sicamous Mapping (read 2026-11-09)
  3. Development Services (read 2026-11-09)
  4. Sicamous municipal office contact information (read 2026-11-09)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.