Squamish secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

Squamish, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-09

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.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowed	Squamish’s zoning bylaw permits one secondary suite per dwelling unit in a single- or two-unit dwelling.Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026, PDF p. 54 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09 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
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.Secondary suites, accessory dwelling units and multi-unit flex units, Accessory dwelling units, eligibility and conditions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09 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.
Limits	Up to one suite per dwelling unit and up to 90 square metres or 40% of gross floor area, whichever is less.Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026, PDF p. 54 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09 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;
Parking	Section 4.5 does not require an off-street parking space for the suite.Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026, PDF p. 54 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09 Official wording A Secondary Suite Use shall: (d) does not require an off-street parking space; (Bylaw 3035, 2024)
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.Secondary suites, accessory dwelling units and multi-unit flex units, Secondary suites and accessory dwelling units, pre-reviewed plan submissions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09 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.
Bylaw	Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026, PDF p. 7 / PDF p. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09 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

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

Check the housing guidance in Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, consolidated September 2026 (PDF). 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.
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.