---
title: Squamish secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Squamish?"
place: Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/squamish
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Squamish
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/secondary-suite.json"
---

# Squamish secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**Short answer:** Squamish’s zoning bylaw permits one secondary suite per dwelling unit in a single- or two-unit dwelling. The suite must be inside the principal dwelling and no larger than 90 square metres or 40% of the building’s gross floor area, whichever is smaller.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Squamish, https://squamish.ca)  

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** Squamish’s zoning bylaw permits one secondary suite per dwelling unit in a single- or two-unit dwelling.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026, PDF p. 54](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/269651)
  - Official wording: "A Secondary Suite Use shall: (a) be permitted in a single-unit or two-unit dwelling; (Bylaw 3036, 2024) (b) be limited to one such unit per dwelling unit; (Bylaw 2607, 2018) (c) be located in a principal dwelling to a maximum of 90m² or 40% of the gross floor area"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** A carriage house is an accessory dwelling unit. The District lists one per parcel in zones permitting a single-unit dwelling. The unit and principal dwelling remain one property. The unit cannot be used as a short-term rental.
  - Source: [Secondary suites, accessory dwelling units and multi-unit flex units, Accessory dwelling units, eligibility and conditions](https://squamish.ca/home-and-property/bylaws-and-guidelines/secondary-suites-accessory-dwelling-units-and-multi-unit-flex-units/)
  - Official wording: "The installation of a secondary suite in a new or existing single unit dwelling, the construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (sometimes known as a ‘carriage house’), and Multi-Unit Flex Units are permitted by the District of Squamish, subject to both the District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw and the British Columbia Building Code (BCBC)." … "The following requirements apply to ADUs: * Be permitted in all zones which permit a single-unit dwelling; * Be limited to one such use per parcel;" … "* Does not require an additional off-street parking space; * Form a single real estate entity with the principal dwelling unit. No strata titling will be permitted; * May be located above a detached accessory building, regardless of setbacks, if the detached accessory building was completed prior to march 15, 2016 in accordance with the required setbacks of the day and provided that the accessory dwelling unit does not further encroach into the setback area. It is the responsibility of the owner or applicant to provide sufficient evidence that the existing detached accessory building is legally non-conforming for siting; and * Not be permitted for use as a short-term rental."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Limits:** Up to one suite per dwelling unit and up to 90 square metres or 40% of gross floor area, whichever is less.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026, PDF p. 54](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/269651)
  - Official wording: "(b) be limited to one such unit per dwelling unit; (Bylaw 2607, 2018) (c) be located in a principal dwelling to a maximum of 90m² or 40% of the gross floor area of the building, whichever is less;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Parking:** Section 4.5 does not require an off-street parking space for the suite.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026, PDF p. 54](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/269651)
  - Official wording: "A Secondary Suite Use shall:" … "(d) does not require an off-street parking space; (Bylaw 3035, 2024)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Permits:** The zoning bylaw and B.C. Building Code apply. For an accessory dwelling using the pre-reviewed plan route, submit the updated plan with a building permit application.
  - Source: [Secondary suites, accessory dwelling units and multi-unit flex units, Secondary suites and accessory dwelling units, pre-reviewed plan submissions](https://squamish.ca/home-and-property/bylaws-and-guidelines/secondary-suites-accessory-dwelling-units-and-multi-unit-flex-units/)
  - Official wording: "The installation of a secondary suite in a new or existing single unit dwelling, the construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (sometimes known as a ‘carriage house’), and Multi-Unit Flex Units are permitted by the District of Squamish, subject to both the District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw and the British Columbia Building Code (BCBC)." … "1. After determining if your property meets the requirements above for an ADU, review the plans below and select which ADU best fits the dimensions for your needs and property. 2. Contact the ADU architect or designer for a consultation. Your selected pre-reviewed plan may need to be adjusted accordingly to meet site-specific requirements such as flood mitigation measures. 3. Submit the updated pre-reviewed plan along with a building permit application to the District’s building department. Your application will be placed in a priority queue for site-specific review and approval. 4. Learn more about the building permit application process."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026, PDF p. 7 / PDF p. 1](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/269651)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200," … "No. 2200, 2011 Consolidated September 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## 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. Section 4.5 does not require an off-street parking space for the suite.

## Steps

1. Check the housing guidance in [Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/269651). 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

- A carriage house is an accessory dwelling unit. The District lists one per parcel in zones permitting a single-unit dwelling. The unit and principal dwelling remain one property. The unit cannot be used as a short-term rental.
- The zoning bylaw and B.C. Building Code apply. For an accessory dwelling using the pre-reviewed plan route, submit the updated plan with a building permit application.
- Find your Squamish property on the Parcel & Land Use Map.
- Call the Building Department at 604-815-6872 for pre-application questions or current permit wait times.

## Related questions

- [Squamish tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/tree-removal.md)
- [Squamish zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/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)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/secondary-suite.md)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/secondary-suite.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/secondary-suite.md)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/secondary-suite.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/secondary-suite.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/269651) (read 2026-11-09)
- [FAQ - Building Permit](https://squamish.ca/building-and-land-development/building-permit/faq-building-permit/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Building Permits](https://squamish.ca/building-and-land-development/building-permit/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Squamish municipal office contact information](https://squamish.ca/about/contact-and-feedback/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Secondary suites, accessory dwelling units and multi-unit flex units](https://squamish.ca/home-and-property/bylaws-and-guidelines/secondary-suites-accessory-dwelling-units-and-multi-unit-flex-units/) (read 2026-11-09)

_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 District of Squamish. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/secondary-suite/_