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Tahsis secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

Tahsis, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

Yes. Since Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 667 (2024), Tahsis allows secondary suites and detached accessory dwelling units as accessory uses in the R-1, R-2 and RM-1 zones, and in RU-1 with conditions. A building permit is needed for a suite.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowedYes, since Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 667, 2024: a secondary suite is an accessory use in R-1; in R-2 and RM-1 if the principal use is a single-family dwelling or duplex; and in RU-1 if the principal use is one single-family dwelling.Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 667, 2024, s. 1.1 (definitions); Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 667, 2024, ss. 1.2-1.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
A secondary suite means an accessory dwelling unit that is located in and forms part of a primary dwelling unit.
Secondary suite or detached accessory dwelling units (ADD)
Secondarysuite or detachedaccessorydwelling units (ADU) ifprincipal uses are
Secondary suite or detached accessory dwelling units (ADU) if principal use is
Coach house or garden suite allowedYes, the same zones as suites ("detached accessory dwelling units"), with limits below. In RU-1 a detached unit is allowed only where the home is on community services.Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 667, 2024, ss. 1.2-1.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Secondary suite or detached accessory dwelling units (ADD)
a) Allow for Principal building and either a secondary suite or ADD if single
b) Allow for Principal building and a secondary suite if single residential or
LimitsA detached accessory dwelling unit may be at most 8 m high. Total lot coverage rises to 40% in R-1, R-2, RM-1 and RU-1. New detached units: R-1 and R-2 rear setback 1.5 m, side 1.2 m, front the same as the main building.Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 667, 2024, ss. 1.2-1.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Detached accessory dwelling units (ADU) 8 metres
Maximum Lot Coverage All buildin s and structures 40
Where new detached accessory . Front - Same as principal use
ParkingNot confirmed. The Zoning Bylaw parking table has no entry for a secondary suite.
PermitsA building permit: the Village-hosted guide lists "adding a secondary suite to an existing home" among projects that need one.When do I need a building permit?, Village-hosted SRD guide · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
A BUILDING PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR NEW BUILDINGS
ADDING A SECONDARY SUITE TO AN EXISTING HOME
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 630, 2020, as amended by Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 667, 2024Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 667, 2024, s. 1; Zoning Bylaw No. 630, 2020, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the "Village of Tahsis Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 667, 2024"
ZONING BYLAW No. 630, 2020

How it works

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 667, 2024 changed the Zoning Bylaw No. 630 so that a secondary suite is an accessory use in R-1. It is also allowed in R-2 and RM-1 if the main use is a single-family dwelling or duplex, and in RU-1 if the main use is one single-family dwelling. The same zones allow "detached accessory dwelling units". A suite must be located in and form part of the main dwelling.

Steps

  1. Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer).
  2. Check the limits below.
  3. Apply for a building permit. The Village-hosted guide lists "adding a secondary suite to an existing home" among projects that need one. Call the SRD building office (250-830-6713).

Good to know

  • A detached unit may be at most 8 m high. Total lot coverage rises to 40% in R-1, R-2, RM-1 and RU-1.
  • New detached units in R-1 and R-2: rear setback 1.5 m, side 1.2 m, front the same as the main building. In RM-1: rear 8 m, side 3 m. In RU-1: rear 5 m, side 3 m.
  • In RU-1, a suite is allowed where the home is not on community services; a suite or detached unit is allowed where it is.
  • The parking table in the Zoning Bylaw has no entry for a secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Gold River · Sayward · Port McNeill · Campbell River · Port Hardy · Tofino

Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 667, 2024 (PDF), Village of Tahsis (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Zoning Bylaw No. 630, 2020 (PDF), Village of Tahsis (read 2026-11-08)
  3. When do I need a building permit? (PDF), Village of Tahsis (read 2026-11-08)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.