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

# Spallumcheen secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes. In the Township of Spallumcheen, one secondary suite inside a single family dwelling is permitted in the R.1, S.H., C.R., A.2, L.H. and L.H.4 zones. A detached suite is allowed in the S.H., C.R., A.2, L.H. and L.H.4 zones on lots of 2 ha or more. A building permit is needed.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Township of Spallumcheen, https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca)  
**Cost:** Building permit fees apply. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The Township does not state a review time.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Planning and Development Services, 250-546-3013
- Email: Planning and Development Services, planner@spallumcheentwp.bc.ca
- In person: Municipal Office, 4144 Spallumcheen Way, Spallumcheen, BC V4Y 0N1 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** Yes. One secondary suite inside a single family dwelling is permitted in the R.1, S.H., C.R., A.2, L.H. and L.H.4 zones, under each zone's conditions. Not permitted in cellars.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 701, 801 to 804 (PDF, consolidated), s. 701.1(d), 701.10.c](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/)
  - Official wording: "d. Single family dwellings which may include secondary suites subject to the" … "Secondary suites shall not be permitted in cellars." … "Single family dwellings (or manufactured homes) which may include secondary suites subject to the provisions of Section 805.9.b. of this Bylaw"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 701, 801 to 804 (PDF, consolidated), Definitions](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/)
  - Official wording: "SECONDARY SUITE means a dwelling unit located within the structure of a single family dwelling."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 701, 801 to 804 (PDF, consolidated), s. 801.1, 803.1, 804.1](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/)
  - Official wording: "Single family dwellings (or manufactured homes) which may include secondary suites subject to the provisions of Section 801.10.d. of this" … "secondary suites subject to the provisions of Section 803.9.f. of this Bylaw" … "secondary suites subject to the provisions of Section 804.9.d. of this"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** Yes, a detached suite (a dwelling unit above an accessory residential or agricultural building) in the S.H., C.R., A.2, L.H. and L.H.4 zones, on lots of 2 ha or more. Not listed for R.1. One per lot, not on a lot with a secondary single family dwelling. In the ALR it is treated as a second dwelling.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 701, 801 to 804 (PDF, consolidated), Definitions](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/)
  - Official wording: "DETACHED SUITE means a dwelling unit located above an accessory residential or agricultural" … "Detached suite subject to the provisions of Section 805.9.d of this bylaw" … "the detached suite shall not be permitted on lots that are smaller than 2 ha;"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 701, 801 to 804 (PDF, consolidated), s. 801.10.f](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/)
  - Official wording: "the detached suite must be located entirely on one floor and on" … "no more than one (1) detached suite shall be permitted per lot;" … "the detached suite shall not be permitted on lots containing a secondary" … "the detached suite shall not be permitted on lots that are smaller"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** One suite per building, up to the greater of 40% of the dwelling's floor area or 90 m², with a separate outside entrance; not strata-subdivided; none in cellars. The 2024 amendment dropped owner-occupancy. Detached suite: one per lot, 2 ha or more, none with a secondary dwelling; 90 m² cap in S.H., C.R. and L.H.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 701, 801 to 804 (PDF, consolidated), s. 701.10.c (as amended 2024)](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/)
  - Official wording: "not more than one (1) secondary suite shall be contained within" … "the secondary suite shall not exceed the greater of forty percent" … "the secondary suite shall have at least one (1) access to the outside" … "buildings containing secondary suites shall not be subdivided" … "the secondary suite shall not exceed the greater of forty percent (40%) of the floor area of the building which contains the single family dwelling unit or 90 square metres (968.78 square feet); and" … "the maximum floor area of a detached suite shall not exceed 90 m2 (968 square feet);"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 701, 801 to 804 (PDF, consolidated), s. 801.10.f(viii)](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/)
  - Official wording: "the maximum floor area of a detached suite shall not exceed 90"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** One off-street parking space for each secondary suite. For a detached suite, one off-street space that cannot be in tandem with another required space.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 701, 801 to 804 (PDF, consolidated), s. 701.10.c.v (Bylaw 2135, 2024)](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/)
  - Official wording: "one off-street parking space shall be provided for each secondary"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 701, 801 to 804 (PDF, consolidated), s. 801.10.f.ix](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/)
  - Official wording: "one (1) off-street parking space must be provided for each" … "detached suite. The parking space may not be provided in"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** A building permit is needed for the construction or alteration (no one may build or alter without one). The Zoning Bylaw lists no separate suite permit. For a detached suite in the ALR, Agricultural Land Commission rules also apply.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020, s. 301.1 (PDF, consolidated)](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/)
  - Official wording: "No person shall commence or continue any construction, alteration, reconstruction," … "unless a Building Official has issued a permit for the work as outlined in"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 701, 801 to 804 (PDF, consolidated), s. 801.10.f(xi)](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/)
  - Official wording: "for properties within the Agricultural Land Reserve, a" … "detached suite is a second dwelling and shall meet the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008 (zone sections 701, 801 to 804; detached suites added by Bylaw 1938, 2017); Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 701, 801 to 804 (PDF, consolidated), Title page](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/)
  - Official wording: "ZONING BYLAW NO. 1700, 2008" … "Bylaw No. 1938, 2017 Sept 18, 2017 Detached suites and secondary dwellings"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020, s. 301.1 (PDF, consolidated), Title page](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW NO. 2009, 2020"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Zoning Bylaw](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/), one secondary suite inside a single family dwelling is permitted in the R.1, S.H., C.R., A.2, L.H. and L.H.4 zones, under each zone's conditions. Suites are not permitted in cellars.

**Secondary suite limits:**

- One suite per building.
- Up to the greater of 40% of the dwelling's floor area or 90 m².
- A separate outside entrance.
- Not strata-subdivided.
- One off-street parking space per suite.
- Owner occupancy is no longer required under the 2024 amendment.

**Detached suite** (a dwelling unit above an accessory residential or agricultural building): allowed in the S.H., C.R., A.2, L.H. and L.H.4 zones on lots of 2 ha or more. It is not listed for R.1. One per lot, and not on a lot with a secondary single family dwelling. It must be on a floor above the main floor, up to 90 m² in S.H., C.R. and L.H., with its own outside access, and not strata-titled. It needs one off-street space that cannot be in tandem with another required space.

In the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), a detached suite is treated as a second dwelling and Agricultural Land Commission rules also apply.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone and lot size with Planning at 250-546-3013.
2. Apply for a building permit for the construction or alteration. No one may build or alter without one, and the Zoning Bylaw lists no separate suite permit.
3. Check for development permit areas (hillsides, within 30 m of streams, wildfire hazard areas) with Planning.

## Good to know

- The zoning text prints old and amended wording together. Confirm the current rules with the Township before you design.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008 (PDF)](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020 (PDF)](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/)

## Related questions

- [Spallumcheen building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/building-permit.md)
- [Spallumcheen building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Spallumcheen zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/secondary-suite.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/secondary-suite.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/secondary-suite.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/secondary-suite.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/secondary-suite.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 701, 801 to 804 (PDF, consolidated)](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020, s. 301.1 (PDF, consolidated)](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Contact Us, Township of Spallumcheen](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/services/contact-us.htm) (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 Township of Spallumcheen. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/secondary-suite/_