{"title":"Summerland secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage home?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/summerland","name":"Summerland","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Summerland","url":"https://www.summerland.ca"},"short_answer":"Often yes. The District of Summerland allows one secondary suite inside a house in zones A1, A2, CR1, RU1, RU2, RU3 and RMD (and parts of CD9), and a carriage house in a separate building in A1, A2, CR1, RU1, RU2 and RU3. Each needs a building permit and one extra parking space.","aliases":["basement suite summerland","legalize secondary suite summerland","carriage house summerland","multi-unit housing summerland"],"cost":"Building permit fees apply; see building-permit-fees.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-494-1373"},{"type":"email","label":"Development Services","value":"devserv@summerland.ca"}],"documents":["Current state of title (to check for covenants or a Land Use Contract)"],"forms":[{"title":"Secondary Suites Existing House building bulletin 25-06 (PDF)","url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/secondary-suites-existing-house---building-bulletin.pdf"},{"title":"Works and Infrastructure requirements for adding residential units, Bulletin 24-002 (PDF)","url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/w-i-requirements-for-adding-residential-units.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Summerland building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Summerland zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Summerland building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/building-permit-fees/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/penticton","name":"Penticton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/west-kelowna","name":"West Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kelowna","name":"Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/keremeos","name":"Keremeos","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/oliver","name":"Oliver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oliver/secondary-suite/"}],"topic":{"title":"Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite/"},"facts":{"suite_allowed":{"label":"Secondary suite allowed","value":"A secondary suite is a self-contained dwelling inside a single detached house, duplex, multi-unit or townhouse unit. It is a permitted accessory use in zones A1, A2, CR1, RU1, RU2, RU3 and RMD, and in the CD9 NeighbourWood and Hillside sub-areas, subject to s. 7.3.","short":"Yes, in A1, A2, CR1, RU1 to RU3, RMD zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A (PDF), consolidated to March 3, 2026 (ss. 7.3, 7.4, 6.1)","section":"s. 7.3; zone accessory-use lists (8.1.3, 8.2.3, 9.1.3, 10.1.3, 10.2.3, 10.3.3, 10.4.3)","quotes":["Secondary Suite means a self-contained, Dwelling located within a Single","Secondary Suite, subject to Section 7.3;","Secondary Suites, where permitted in this Bylaw as an Accessory Use, shall comply with","Secondary Suites, subject to Section 7.3;"]},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/secondary-suites-existing-house---building-bulletin.pdf","title":"Existing House - Secondary Suite, Building Bulletin 25-06 (PDF)","section":"Building Bulletin 25-06","quotes":["Secondary suites are permitted in principle buildings in single family zones."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Bulletin 25-06 (Sept 2025) lists older zone names (RSD1, RSD2, RSD3, RDH, RSH with a 460 m² lot minimum) that do not match the current Zoning Bylaw zones; the bylaw wins. Some comprehensive development zone(s) (e.g. s. 15.9) also list secondary suites. Bill 44 requires up to 4 units on many low-density lots (District bulletin 24-002)."},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"A carriage house (a secondary dwelling in an accessory building) is a permitted accessory use in A1, A2, CR1, RU1, RU2 and RU3, only with single detached, duplex, multi-unit or manufactured housing. In RMD it is allowed only on one named lot (9306 Prairie Valley Road).","short":"Yes, carriage house in A1, A2, CR1, RU1, RU2, RU3","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A (PDF), consolidated to March 3, 2026 (ss. 7.3, 7.4, 6.1)","section":"s. 7.4; zone accessory-use lists","quotes":["Carriage House, subject to Section 7.4;","A Carriage House shall only be considered an Accessory Use to the Single","Carriage House, subject to Section 7.4","Carriage House means a secondary Dwelling constructed in an Accessory Building."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"One secondary suite per principal dwelling, no larger than that dwelling's gross floor area, and one real estate entity with the house (no separate ownership). A carriage house: at most the principal dwelling's floor area (90 m² in the ALR), at least 11 m², 7.5 m high (no higher than the house on lots under 1,000 m²), 3.0 m from the house.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A (PDF), consolidated to March 3, 2026 (ss. 7.3, 7.4, 6.1)","section":"s. 7.3.1, s. 7.4.1","quotes":["Secondary Suites shall form a single real estate entity with the principal","Secondary Suites shall be limited to one such Use within a principal Dwelling","and be lesser than or equal to the Gross Floor Area of the principal Dwelling.","For lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve, the maximum floor area of a Carriage House shall","The distance between a Principal Dwelling and a Carriage House in any","for Lots less than 1000m2, shall not exceed the Height of the principal Dwelling on the Lot."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"One extra parking space for each suite or carriage house (1 per dwelling unit); the house itself needs 2, so a house with a suite needs 3 off-street spaces.","short":"1 extra space (3 in total with the house)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A (PDF), consolidated to March 3, 2026 (ss. 7.3, 7.4, 6.1)","section":"s. 6.1 (parking table); s. 7.3.2","quotes":["Housing - Secondary Suites, Carriage","Houses, Live-Work Unit 1 per Dwelling unit","2 per Dwelling unit"]},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/secondary-suites-existing-house---building-bulletin.pdf","title":"Existing House - Secondary Suite, Building Bulletin 25-06 (PDF)","section":"Building Bulletin 25-06","quotes":["One (1) additional parking space is required."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit (fee based on construction value) with inspections and a final occupancy inspection; gas and electrical permits for alterations; a development permit first if the lot is in an OCP development permit area. A secondary suite or one carriage house is exempt from the District's servicing bylaw requirements.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/secondary-suites-existing-house---building-bulletin.pdf","title":"Existing House - Secondary Suite, Building Bulletin 25-06 (PDF)","section":"Building Bulletin 25-06","quotes":["you can apply for a building permit to commence the work.","Gas and Electric permits are required for any alterations to the respective systems."]},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/building-bylaw-no-2022-002_cons-to-mar-25-2026.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (PDF), consolidated to March 25, 2026","section":"s. 14.1(a)","quotes":["the owner must apply for and obtain a development permit if the building or structure is in an area"]},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/w-i-requirements-for-adding-residential-units.pdf","title":"Works and Infrastructure Requirements for Adding Residential Units, Bulletin 24-002 (PDF)","section":"Bulletin 24-002","quotes":["In all cases, the construction of a secondary suite or one carriage house is exempt from the bylaw requirements."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2000-450 (ss. 7.3, 7.4, 6.1); Building Bylaw No. 2022-002","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A (PDF), consolidated to March 3, 2026 (ss. 7.3, 7.4, 6.1)","section":"title page","quotes":["Summerland Zoning Bylaw 2000-450"]},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/building-bylaw-no-2022-002_cons-to-mar-25-2026.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (PDF), consolidated to March 25, 2026","section":"title page","quotes":["Building Bylaw No. 2022-002"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf) (s. 7.3), a secondary suite is a self-contained dwelling inside a single detached house, duplex, multi-unit or townhouse unit. It is a permitted accessory use in zones A1, A2, CR1, RU1, RU2, RU3 and RMD, and in the CD9 NeighbourWood and Hillside sub-areas. A carriage house (s. 7.4) is a secondary dwelling in an accessory building, allowed in A1, A2, CR1, RU1, RU2 and RU3 with single detached, duplex, multi-unit or manufactured housing. In RMD it is allowed only on one named lot (9306 Prairie Valley Road).\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your zone allows it (see zoning-lookup) and check your title for covenants.\n2. Apply for a building permit (see building-permit). If your lot is in an Official Community Plan development permit area, a development permit comes first.\n3. Arrange gas and electrical permits for alterations, and book inspections, including a final occupancy inspection.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Limits: one secondary suite per principal dwelling, no larger than that dwelling's gross floor area, with no separate ownership. A carriage house is at most the principal dwelling's floor area (90 m² in the ALR), at least 11 m², 7.5 m high and 3.0 m from the house. On lots under 1,000 m² it may not be higher than the principal dwelling.\n- Carriage houses must connect to municipal water and sewer (lots of 1.0 ha or more may use an onsite system).\n- Parking: one extra space per suite or carriage house. The house needs 2, so a house with a suite needs 3 off-street spaces.\n- A secondary suite or one carriage house is exempt from the District's servicing bylaw requirements. The bulletin says a dual electrical meter is mandatory and utility charges apply to the suite even if empty.\n- Bulletin 25-06 uses older zone names than the Zoning Bylaw. The bylaw governs, so confirm your zone with Development Services.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2000-450 Schedule A (PDF), consolidated to March 3, 2026 (ss. 7.3, 7.4, 6.1)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/secondary-suites-existing-house---building-bulletin.pdf","title":"Existing House - Secondary Suite, Building Bulletin 25-06 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/planning---building/building/bulletins/w-i-requirements-for-adding-residential-units.pdf","title":"Works and Infrastructure Requirements for Adding Residential Units, Bulletin 24-002 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/building-bylaw-no-2022-002_cons-to-mar-25-2026.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 (PDF), consolidated to March 25, 2026","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/secondary-suite.json"}}