{"title":"Surrey secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/surrey","name":"Surrey","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":"City of Surrey","url":"https://www.surrey.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. The City of Surrey allows one secondary suite per single family, semi-detached or duplex dwelling, and coach houses or garden suites in residential zones that allow detached houses, duplexes and houseplexes. A building permit is required, and a suite carries an annual service fee of $893.","aliases":["basement suite surrey","legalize secondary suite surrey","coach house surrey bc","garden suite surrey","carriage house"],"cost":"Secondary Suite Service Fee $893 per suite per year; a $1,000 penalty applies if the suite was not notified to the City. Building permit fees are extra.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Zoning requirements","value":"604-591-4448"},{"type":"phone","label":"Planning and Development Client Services Centre","value":"604-591-4086"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Building or Legalizing a Secondary Suite","url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/building-or-legalizing-secondary-suite"},{"title":"Secondary Suite Permit","url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/residential-building/residential-building-permits/secondary-suite-permit"},{"title":"Coach Houses & Garden Suites","url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/residential-building/residential-building-permits/coach-houses-garden-suites"},{"title":"Secondary Suite Service Fee By-law 17356","url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17356"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Surrey building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Surrey zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/langley","name":"Langley City","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/white-rock","name":"White Rock","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/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":"One secondary suite per single family, semi-detached or duplex dwelling, including in the small-scale multi-unit housing zones and Comprehensive Development zones. Not allowed in a houseplex, or within a coach house or garden suite.","short":"Yes, one per single family, semi-detached or duplex","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/building-or-legalizing-secondary-suite","title":"Building or Legalizing a Secondary Suite, City of Surrey","section":"Acceptable zoning for secondary suites","quotes":["Only one secondary suite is permitted per single family, semi-detached or duplex dwelling unit.","A secondary suite is not permitted within a coach house or garden suite.","One secondary suite may be permitted in single family, semi-detached and duplex dwellings within small-scale, multi-unit housing zones and including Comprehensive Development zones."]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000","title":"Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000","section":"Part 1, Secondary Suite","quotes":["and is not a separate strata lot, and are not permitted in a houseplex."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Yes. All residential zones that allow detached houses, duplexes and houseplexes also allow coach houses or garden suites. A coach house must be attached to a garage; on smaller R3, R4, R5, R5-S and R6 lots it needs lane access.","short":"Yes, in residential zones allowing detached houses","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/residential-building/residential-building-permits/coach-houses-garden-suites","title":"Coach Houses & Garden Suites, City of Surrey","section":"Coach Houses & Garden Suites","quotes":["All residential zones in Surrey that allow detached houses, duplexes and houseplexes also allow coach houses or garden suites.","Coach houses must be attached to a garage.","Smaller lots zoned R3, R4, R5, R5-S, and R6 require lane access to build a coach house."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Secondary suite: one per dwelling, up to 40% of the principal unit, not a separate strata lot. Coach house or garden suite: 35 to 75 m² (up to 120 m² on some lots). Lots allow 3 to 4 units, 6 near a frequent bus stop. The City says the BC Building Code requires owner occupancy; the Zoning Bylaw states none.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000","title":"Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000","section":"Part 1, Secondary Suite","quotes":["means a dwelling unit, that is an accessory use, with its habitable floor area not exceeding 40% of a"]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/residential-building/residential-building-permits/coach-houses-garden-suites","title":"Coach Houses & Garden Suites, City of Surrey","section":"Building size, location and siting","quotes":["Coach houses and garden suites must be a minimum of 35 m2 and a maximum of 75 m2 in size","the size of the coach house or garden suite can be increased to 120 m2 for lots zoned RA, R2, R2-O, and R3"]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/land-planning-development/provincial-housing-financial-regulations/zoning-small-scale-multi-unit-housing","title":"Zoning for Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing, City of Surrey","section":"Requirements","quotes":["The BC Building Code permits only one secondary suite per house, provided that the owner also occupies the house","allow between 3-4 dwelling units on a lot, depending on the context. Six units may be possible on eligible lots within Frequent Bus Stop Areas."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"Secondary suite: 1 space per dwelling unit, none on eligible lots in a Transit-Oriented Area or Frequent Bus Stop Area. Garden suite: 1 per unit, none in a Frequent Bus Stop Area. Coach house: 1 per unit. The City says these are extra to the house requirement.","short":"1 space per suite (none in transit areas)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000","title":"Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000","section":"Part 5, Table D.1","quotes":["Secondary Suite 1 parking space per dwelling unit","a Frequent Bus Stop Area No minimum parking spaces per dwelling unit.","Coach House 1 parking space per dwelling unit.","Garden Suite 1 parking space per dwelling unit.","Except: eligible lots within a Transit-Oriented Area No minimum parking spaces per dwelling unit."]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/residential-building/residential-building-permits/coach-houses-garden-suites","title":"Coach Houses & Garden Suites, City of Surrey","section":"Parking & road access","quotes":["Coach houses and garden suites require one extra parking space in addition to the spaces required for a single detached house, duplex and/or secondary suite."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is required, and the suite must meet zoning and the BC Building Code. A development permit may be needed first if the property is in a Development Permit Area. An annual secondary suite service fee also applies.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/residential-building/residential-building-permits/secondary-suite-permit","title":"Secondary Suite Permit, City of Surrey","section":"Secondary Suite Permit","quotes":["You need a permit for legal secondary suites and structures."]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/building-or-legalizing-secondary-suite","title":"Building or Legalizing a Secondary Suite, City of Surrey","section":"Applying for a secondary suite","quotes":["meet the conditions of zoning,","meet the standards of the BC Building Code,"]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/residential-building/residential-building-permits/coach-houses-garden-suites","title":"Coach Houses & Garden Suites, City of Surrey","section":"Referral requirements","quotes":["If your property is located within a Development Permit Area (DPA) you may require a development permit before you can submit for building permit."]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17356","title":"Surrey Secondary Suite Service Fee By-law, 2011, No. 17356","section":"s. 3","quotes":["The amount of the secondary suite service fee payable under Section 2 of this By-law shall be $893.00 per secondary suite."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000; Surrey Building Bylaw, 2012, No. 17850; Surrey Secondary Suite Service Fee By-law, 2011, No. 17356","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000","title":"Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000","section":"Enacting clause","quotes":["Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000"]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17850","title":"Surrey Building Bylaw, 2012, No. 17850","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the \"Surrey Building Bylaw, 2012, No. 17850\"."]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17356","title":"Surrey Secondary Suite Service Fee By-law, 2011, No. 17356","section":"s. 15","quotes":["Surrey Secondary Suite Service Fee By-law, 2011, No. 17356."]}],"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 12000](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000), one secondary suite is allowed per single family, semi-detached or duplex dwelling, including in the small-scale multi-unit housing zones and Comprehensive Development zones. A secondary suite is not allowed in a houseplex, or within a coach house or garden suite.\n\nCoach houses and garden suites are allowed in all residential zones that allow detached houses, duplexes and houseplexes. A coach house must be attached to a garage; on smaller R3, R4, R5, R5-S and R6 lots it needs lane access. Without lane access a garden suite may be possible instead.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone and any Land Use Contract, building scheme or covenant that could prohibit a suite (604-591-4448).\n2. Apply for a building permit. The suite must meet zoning and the BC Building Code. A development permit may be needed first if the property is in a Development Permit Area.\n3. Pay the annual Secondary Suite Service Fee under [By-law 17356](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17356).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Size: a secondary suite is up to 40% of the principal unit and cannot be a separate strata lot. A coach house or garden suite is 35 to 75 m² (up to 120 m² on some lots).\n- A lot can have 3 to 4 units, or up to 6 on eligible lots near a frequent bus stop.\n- Parking: a secondary suite needs 1 space per dwelling unit, none on eligible lots in a Transit-Oriented Area or Frequent Bus Stop Area. A garden suite needs 1 per unit, none in a Frequent Bus Stop Area. A coach house needs 1 per unit. The City says these are in addition to the house requirement.\n- The City says the BC Building Code requires owner occupancy; the Zoning Bylaw states no such condition. Confirm with Planning and Development.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000","title":"Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17356","title":"Surrey Secondary Suite Service Fee By-law, 2011, No. 17356","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/building-or-legalizing-secondary-suite","title":"Building or Legalizing a Secondary Suite, City of Surrey","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/residential-building/residential-building-permits/secondary-suite-permit","title":"Secondary Suite Permit, City of Surrey","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/residential-building/residential-building-permits/coach-houses-garden-suites","title":"Coach Houses & Garden Suites, City of Surrey","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/land-planning-development/provincial-housing-financial-regulations/zoning-small-scale-multi-unit-housing","title":"Zoning for Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing, City of Surrey","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17850","title":"Surrey Building Bylaw, 2012, No. 17850","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/surrey/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/secondary-suite.json"}}