Taylor secondary suite and carriage house rules
Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Taylor?
Yes. In Taylor the Zoning Bylaw allows one secondary suite inside a single detached dwelling, and a detached accessory dwelling unit, in the A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2 and R-4 zones. Neither is allowed in R-3, and neither can be used for short-term rental.
Key facts
| Secondary suite allowed | Yes: one secondary suite inside a single detached dwelling, as a secondary use in the A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2 and R-4 zones. It is not listed for R-3 or the commercial, industrial or public zones.Zoning Bylaw No. 898, 2025, Second Reading Version, ss. 2.1.4, 4.9.1; zone tables 9.2, 10.2, 11.2, 12.2, 14.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingUses not listed in respect of a particular zone are prohibited. A maximum of one secondary suite shall be permitted only as an accessory use to a single detached dwelling on any parcel. .vii Home-based business .viii Secondary suite |
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| Coach house or garden suite allowed | Yes, as an accessory dwelling unit (a detached dwelling on the same parcel as a single detached dwelling) in A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2 and R-4. Not allowed in R-3. No basement, no strata or subdivision, no short-term rental.Zoning Bylaw No. 898, 2025, Second Reading Version, s. 4.8; definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT means a dwelling unit that is detached and ancillary to the use of the principal building Basements are not permitted in accessory dwelling units. An accessory dwelling unit cannot be strata titled or subdivided. An accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted only as an accessory use to a single detached dwelling on any parcel. |
| Limits | One secondary suite per single detached dwelling. It must be self-contained, inside the house, with its own cooking, sleeping and bathing facilities and direct outside access. It cannot be used for short-term rental (under 30 consecutive days).Zoning Bylaw No. 898, 2025, Second Reading Version, ss. 4.9, definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSECONDARY SUITE means a self-contained dwelling unit located within and forms part of a single detached dwelling. A secondary suite shall not be used for short-term rental accommodation. |
| Parking | 1 space for the suite, plus the spaces required for the main dwelling (2 for a single detached dwelling).Zoning Bylaw No. 898, 2025, Second Reading Version, s. 7.5 Table 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSecondary suite, Accessory dwelling unit 1 plus parking requirements for the principal Single detached dwelling, manufactured home 2 per dwelling unit |
| Permits | A building permit from the Building Inspector is needed to construct a building or structure or part of one (Building Bylaw s. 2.2); accessory dwelling units go through the District's building permit and inspection process. No separate zoning or development permit for a suite was found.Zoning Bylaw No. 898, 2025, Second Reading Version, s. 4.8.11; District of Taylor Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991, s. 2.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAccessory dwelling units must meet all relevant building, plumbing and development codes and will be regulated by the District of Taylor’s building permit and inspection process. No person shall construct or authorize the construction of any building or structure or part thereof unless a permit for the work has first been issued by the Building Inspector. |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 898, 2025 (ss. 4.8 and 4.9); Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991Zoning Bylaw No. 898, 2025, Second Reading Version, ss. 4.8, 4.9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDistrict of Taylor – Zoning Bylaw No. 898, 2025 |
How it works
The Zoning Bylaw No. 898, 2025 (Second Reading Version) allows, in the District of Taylor, one secondary suite in a single detached dwelling as a secondary use in A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2 and R-4 zones. It is not listed for R-3 or the commercial, industrial or public zones.
A suite must be self-contained and inside the house, with its own cooking, sleeping and bathing facilities and direct outside access.
A detached accessory dwelling unit (a separate dwelling on the same parcel as a single detached dwelling) is allowed in the same zones, not in R-3. It cannot have a basement, be strata-titled or subdivided.
Steps
- Confirm your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer).
- Plan one parking space for the suite, plus the main dwelling's spaces (2 for a single detached dwelling).
- Apply for a building permit; accessory dwelling units go through the District's building permit and inspection process (see the building-permit answer).
Good to know
- A suite or accessory dwelling unit cannot be used for short-term rental (under 30 consecutive days).
- No separate zoning or development permit for a suite was found.
- The Zoning Bylaw text we could read is an unsigned draft version. Confirm with the District Office at 250-789-3392.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Fort St. John · Dawson Creek · Pouce Coupe · Chetwynd · Hudson's Hope · Tumbler Ridge
Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 898, 2025, Second Reading Version (PDF), District of Taylor document centre (read 2026-11-08)
- District of Taylor Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact, District of Taylor (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.