---
title: Sidney secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?"
place: Sidney, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/sidney
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Sidney
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/secondary-suite.json"
---

# Sidney secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Sidney, https://www.sidney.ca)  
**Cost:** Building permit fees apply; see the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** No fixed time; see the building-permit answer.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Development Services (building, planning, business licences), 250-656-1725
- In person: Town Hall, 2440 Sidney Avenue, Sidney, BC V8L 1Y7 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), definition and s. 4.2.1](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), s. 4.3.4.b](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "secondary suites are a permitted as an" … "accessory use to a single-family dwelling."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), s. 4.1.2](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), definition](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Secondary Suite: A type of dwelling unit, built to comply with BC Building Code requirements for"
  - Source: [Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Guide, Town SSMUH guide, How has Sidney’s Zoning Bylaw changed](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSMUH-Guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), s. 5.2.1](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Lot area Lot area" … "R1 250m2 3 4 50% 10.5m 12.0m 3"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), s. 4.2.2.b](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "located in a secondary suite shall not exceed 15 square metres;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** 1 parking space per secondary suite. Parking spaces for secondary suites may not be a tandem space.
  - Source: [Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140, Schedule (residential rates) and s. on tandem](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2140-Off-Street-Parking-Loading.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dwelling, Secondary suite 1 per secondary suite" … "Parking spaces for secondary suites shall not be part of a Parking Space in"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** 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.
  - Source: [A Homeowner's Guide to Building Permits, When is a Building Permit required](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/A-Homeowners-Guide-to-Building-Permits.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Creating a secondary suite (or to legalize an"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), s. 4.2.1 note](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "May require a Development Permit (see Part 3 of the Town of Sidney Official"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Town of Sidney Zoning Bylaw No. 2275; Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140; Building Regulations Bylaw No. 2016
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), title](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Town of Sidney “Zoning Bylaw No. 2275”"
  - Source: [Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140, title](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2140-Off-Street-Parking-Loading.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016-Building-CON.pdf, title](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016-Building-CON.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Building Regulations Bylaw No. 2016"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

A 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.

Since 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.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone and lot size (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. 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.
3. Apply for a building permit to create the suite or legalize an existing one; plumbing permits apply to new fixtures.
4. 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)).

## Good to know

- A home occupation in a secondary suite may not exceed 15 m².
- 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.
- The Town's permit guide is older. The Town also has a Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing guide that may cover other forms.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf)
- [Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Guide (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSMUH-Guide.pdf)
- [Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140 (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2140-Off-Street-Parking-Loading.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Sidney building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/building-permit.md)
- [Sidney building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Sidney zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Sidney permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Sidney short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/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)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/secondary-suite.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/secondary-suite.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/secondary-suite.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/secondary-suite.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/secondary-suite.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Guide (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSMUH-Guide.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140 (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2140-Off-Street-Parking-Loading.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [A Homeowner's Guide to Building Permits (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/A-Homeowners-Guide-to-Building-Permits.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2239 (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2239-Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-CON.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2180 (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2180-MTI-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016-Building-CON.pdf](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016-Building-CON.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Town of Sidney. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/secondary-suite/_