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Sidney secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?

Sidney, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowedA 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), definition and s. 4.2.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), s. 4.3.4.b · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
secondary suites are a permitted as an
accessory use to a single-family dwelling.
Coach house or garden suite allowedEffectively 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), s. 4.1.2; Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), definition; Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Guide, Town SSMUH guide, How has Sidney’s Zoning Bylaw changed · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
Secondary Suite: A type of dwelling unit, built to comply with BC Building Code requirements for
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
LimitsDwelling 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), s. 5.2.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), s. 4.2.2.b · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Lot area Lot area
R1 250m2 3 4 50% 10.5m 12.0m 3
located in a secondary suite shall not exceed 15 square metres;
Parking1 parking space per secondary suite. Parking spaces for secondary suites may not be a tandem space.Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140, Schedule (residential rates) and s. on tandem · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Dwelling, Secondary suite 1 per secondary suite
Parking spaces for secondary suites shall not be part of a Parking Space in
PermitsA 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.A Homeowner's Guide to Building Permits, When is a Building Permit required; Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), s. 4.2.1 note · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Creating a secondary suite (or to legalize an
May require a Development Permit (see Part 3 of the Town of Sidney Official
BylawTown of Sidney Zoning Bylaw No. 2275; Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140; Building Regulations Bylaw No. 2016Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025), title; Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140, title; https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016-Building-CON.pdf, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Town of Sidney “Zoning Bylaw No. 2275”
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.
Building Regulations Bylaw No. 2016

How it works

A secondary suite counts as a dwelling unit under the Zoning Bylaw No. 2275. 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).

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

The same question in other places

North Saanich · Central Saanich · Highlands · Saanich · View Royal · Langford

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF, consolidated July 21, 2025) (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Guide (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Off-Street Parking and Loading Bylaw No. 2140 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  4. A Homeowner's Guide to Building Permits (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  5. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2239 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  6. Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2180 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  7. 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. How answers are checked.