{"title":"Sidney secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/sidney","name":"Sidney","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":"Town of Sidney","url":"https://www.sidney.ca"},"short_answer":"In Sidney secondary suites are allowed in the R1, R2 and R3 zones (not R4), and since July 1, 2024 those lots can hold 3 or 4 dwelling units in various forms, including garden suites. A building permit is required to create or legalize a suite. A garage or shed itself cannot be lived in.","aliases":["secondary suite sidney bc","garden suite sidney","basement suite sidney","carriage house sidney"],"cost":"Building permit fees apply; see the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"No fixed time; see the building-permit answer.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services (building, planning, business licences)","value":"250-656-1725"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall","value":"2440 Sidney Avenue, Sidney, BC V8L 1Y7","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF)","url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf"},{"title":"Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Guide (PDF)","url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSMUH-Guide.pdf"},{"title":"Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140 (PDF)","url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2140-Off-Street-Parking-Loading.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Sidney building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Sidney building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Sidney zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Sidney permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Sidney short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/short-term-rental/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/highlands","name":"Highlands","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/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":"A secondary suite counts as a dwelling unit. Dwelling units are permitted in the R1, R2 and R3 zones (including ESA variants), not R4. In Multi-Unit Residential zones a secondary suite is permitted with a single-family dwelling, but that dwelling is only permitted where one existed on May 1, 2022.","short":"Yes, in R1, R2 and R3 zones (not R4)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025)","section":"definition and s. 4.2.1","quotes":["facilities. Includes secondary suites.","Dwelling Unit P P P P P","Residential Zones is only permitted where a single-family dwelling existed on May 1, 2022.","Notwithstanding any other section of this bylaw, secondary suites are a permitted as an"]},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025)","section":"s. 4.3.4.b","quotes":["secondary suites are a permitted as an","accessory use to a single-family dwelling."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Effectively yes. Since July 1, 2024 the Zoning Bylaw has no separate detached-suite category: R1, R2 and R3 lots (not R4) may have 3 dwelling units (lot 280 m² or less) or 4 (over 280 m²) in various configurations, and the Town's guide lists garden suites. A garage or shed itself cannot contain sleeping, cooking or bath facilities.","short":"Effectively yes, 3 or 4 dwelling units on R1 to R3 lots","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025)","section":"s. 4.1.2","quotes":["No accessory buildings or structure may be used or constructed so as to be capable of being","accessory building or structure may contain sleeping accommodation, be equipped or"]},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025)","section":"definition","quotes":["Secondary Suite: A type of dwelling unit, built to comply with BC Building Code requirements for"]},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSMUH-Guide.pdf","title":"Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Guide (PDF)","section":"Town SSMUH guide, How has Sidney’s Zoning Bylaw changed","quotes":["family dwelling”, “detached secondary dwelling”, and “secondary suite” have been removed from the","up to 3 or 4 units on their property in a variety of configurations to suit their needs all under the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Dwelling units on a lot in the R1, R2 and R3 zones (suites included): up to 3 on a lot of 280 m² or less, up to 4 on a lot over 280 m². A home occupation in a secondary suite may not exceed 15 m². No owner-occupancy rule or suite size limit found.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025)","section":"s. 5.2.1","quotes":["Lot area Lot area","R1 250m2 3 4 50% 10.5m 12.0m 3"]},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025)","section":"s. 4.2.2.b","quotes":["located in a secondary suite shall not exceed 15 square metres;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"1 parking space per secondary suite. Parking spaces for secondary suites may not be a tandem space.","short":"1 space per suite, not in tandem","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2140-Off-Street-Parking-Loading.pdf","title":"Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140 (PDF)","section":"Schedule (residential rates) and s. on tandem","quotes":["Dwelling, Secondary suite 1 per secondary suite","Parking spaces for secondary suites shall not be part of a Parking Space in"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is required to create a secondary suite (or legalize an existing one). Properties in development permit areas may also need a development permit; plumbing permits apply to new fixtures.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/A-Homeowners-Guide-to-Building-Permits.pdf","title":"A Homeowner's Guide to Building Permits (PDF)","section":"When is a Building Permit required","quotes":["Creating a secondary suite (or to legalize an"]},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025)","section":"s. 4.2.1 note","quotes":["May require a Development Permit (see Part 3 of the Town of Sidney Official"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Town of Sidney Zoning Bylaw No. 2275; Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140; Building Regulations Bylaw No. 2016","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025)","section":"title","quotes":["Town of Sidney “Zoning Bylaw No. 2275”"]},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2140-Off-Street-Parking-Loading.pdf","title":"Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140 (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["of Bylaws must be obtained from the Municipal Clerk. TOWN OF SIDNEY BYLAW NO. 2140 (CONSOLIDATED) Amendment Bylaws incorporated as listed at the end of the document."]},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016-Building-CON.pdf","title":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016-Building-CON.pdf","section":"title","quotes":["Building Regulations Bylaw No. 2016"]}],"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 counts as a dwelling unit under the [Zoning Bylaw No. 2275](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf). Dwelling units are permitted in the R1, R2 and R3 zones (including ESA variants), not R4. In Multi-Unit Residential zones a secondary suite is permitted with a single-family dwelling, but that dwelling is only permitted where one existed on May 1, 2022.\n\nSince July 1, 2024 the bylaw has no separate detached-suite category. R1, R2 and R3 lots may have up to 3 dwelling units on a lot of 280 m² or less, or up to 4 on a lot over 280 m², in various configurations, and the Town's guide lists garden suites. A garage or shed itself cannot contain sleeping, cooking or bath facilities. No suite size limit or owner-occupancy rule was found in the bylaw.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your zone and lot size (see the zoning-lookup answer).\n2. Talk to Development Services (250-656-1725) about the form of unit you want and whether a development permit is needed. Properties in development permit areas may need one.\n3. Apply for a building permit to create the suite or legalize an existing one; plumbing permits apply to new fixtures.\n4. Provide parking: 1 space per secondary suite, which may not be a tandem space ([Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2140-Off-Street-Parking-Loading.pdf)).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- A home occupation in a secondary suite may not exceed 15 m².\n- Fine for a non-conforming secondary suite: a municipal ticket is $260 ($200 if paid within 30 days); a bylaw notice is $260 ($200 early, $315 late). Both schedules cite Zoning Bylaw No. 2015, which No. 2275 replaced, so confirm with the Town.\n- The Town's permit guide is older. The Town also has a Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing guide that may cover other forms.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSMUH-Guide.pdf","title":"Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Guide (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2140-Off-Street-Parking-Loading.pdf","title":"Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/A-Homeowners-Guide-to-Building-Permits.pdf","title":"A Homeowner's Guide to Building Permits (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2239-Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-CON.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2239 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2180-MTI-consolidated.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2180 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016-Building-CON.pdf","title":"https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016-Building-CON.pdf","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/sidney/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/secondary-suite.json"}}