---
title: Vancouver secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Vancouver?"
place: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/vancouver
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Vancouver
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/secondary-suite.json"
---

# Vancouver secondary suite and carriage house rules

**Question:** Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Vancouver?

**Short answer:** Apply to Vancouver to create a new suite or legalize one built without permits. A secondary suite has its own kitchen, living area and external access. The City’s guide explains how to submit the application package.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Vancouver, https://vancouver.ca)  
**Where:**
- Phone: City Hall, 311

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** In R1-1, single detached houses and duplexes may include secondary suites. Check the dwelling type and zone for the actual lot.
  - Source: [District schedule, R1-1 District Schedule, section 1.1](https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/zoning/zoning-by-law-district-schedule-r1-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "1.1 Intent The intent of this Residential Inclusive district schedule is to enable a variety of small-scale housing options while retaining the single lot character of the area. Housing options include multiple dwellings (“multiplex” up to 6 dwelling units, or up to 8 rental dwelling units), duplexes and single detached houses. Duplexes may include additional dwelling units such as secondary suites and lock-off units, and single detached houses may include additional dwelling units such as secondary suites and laneway houses."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** The R1-1 schedule includes laneway houses with single detached houses. The conditions for the lot and proposed buildings still apply.
  - Source: [District schedule, R1-1 District Schedule, section 1.1](https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/zoning/zoning-by-law-district-schedule-r1-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The intent of this Residential Inclusive district schedule is to enable a variety of small-scale housing options while retaining the single lot character of the area. Housing options include multiple dwellings (“multiplex” up to 6 dwelling units, or up to 8 rental dwelling units), duplexes and single detached houses. Duplexes may include additional dwelling units such as secondary suites and lock-off units, and single detached houses may include additional dwelling units such as secondary suites and laneway houses."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Limits:** A single-family home can have one secondary suite. A duplex may have one per primary dwelling unit where zoning allows. A secondary suite cannot be separately strata titled.
  - Source: [Create or legalize a secondary suite, What you need to know and buying a home with a suite](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/creating-a-secondary-suite.aspx)
  - Official wording: "## What you need to know * A secondary suite cannot be strata titled * A third suite is not allowed under the Zoning and Development By-law * A duplex may have two suites; however, only one suite is allowed per primary dwelling unit * Secondary suites in duplexes or two-family homes are not approved in all zones * Secondary suites not approved through our permitting process are not legal dwelling units and not eligible for short- or long-term licences" … "Request an approved use letter to find out if the secondary suite in your home is permitted. Important note Our Zoning and Development By-law only allows one secondary suite per single family home."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Parking:** Not confirmed. Checked Create or legalize a secondary suite; not found there.
- **Permits:** Apply to Vancouver to create a new suite or legalize one built without permits.
  - Source: [Create or legalize a secondary suite, What is a secondary suite?](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/creating-a-secondary-suite.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Add a new secondary suite to your home or legalize a secondary suite that was created without permits."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** Vancouver Zoning and Development By-law and the district schedule for the property. R1-1 addresses secondary suites and laneway houses.
  - Source: [Create or legalize a secondary suite, City suite guidance and R1-1 district schedule, section 1.1](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/creating-a-secondary-suite.aspx)
  - Official wording: "## What you need to know * A secondary suite cannot be strata titled * A third suite is not allowed under the Zoning and Development By-law * A duplex may have two suites; however, only one suite is allowed per primary dwelling unit * Secondary suites in duplexes or two-family homes are not approved in all zones * Secondary suites not approved through our permitting process are not legal dwelling units and not eligible for short- or long-term licences * A secondary suite must comply with all City by-laws prior to legalization (These items are usually addressed during the permit application phase.)"
  - Source: [District schedule, City suite guidance and R1-1 district schedule, section 1.1](https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/zoning/zoning-by-law-district-schedule-r1-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The intent of this Residential Inclusive district schedule is to enable a variety of small-scale housing options while retaining the single lot character of the area. Housing options include multiple dwellings (“multiplex” up to 6 dwelling units, or up to 8 rental dwelling units), duplexes and single detached houses. Duplexes may include additional dwelling units such as secondary suites and lock-off units, and single detached houses may include additional dwelling units such as secondary suites and laneway houses."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## 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. A single-family home can have one secondary suite. A duplex may have one per primary dwelling unit where zoning allows. A secondary suite cannot be separately strata titled.

## Steps

1. Check the housing guidance in [Create or legalize a secondary suite](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/creating-a-secondary-suite.aspx). 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.
2. 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

- The R1-1 schedule includes laneway houses with single detached houses. The conditions for the lot and proposed buildings still apply.
- In R1-1, single detached houses and duplexes may include secondary suites. Check the dwelling type and zone for the actual lot.
- Find your Vancouver property on the City’s Digital Zoning Map and note its district.
- Direct general questions about detached houses, secondary suites, duplexes, multiplexes, laneway houses, alterations and changes of use to the Development and Building Services Centre.
- For a question about the dwelling type, the zone and whether the proposed suite is attached or detached, call City Hall at 311.

## Related questions

- [Vancouver fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/fence-rules.md)
- [Vancouver tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/tree-removal.md)
- [Vancouver zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/secondary-suite.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/secondary-suite.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/secondary-suite.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/secondary-suite.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/secondary-suite.md)
- [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Create or legalize a secondary suite](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/creating-a-secondary-suite.aspx) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Digital Zoning Map](https://zoning.vancouver.ca/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [District schedule, City of Vancouver (PDF)](https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/zoning/zoning-by-law-district-schedule-r1-1.pdf) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Vancouver municipal office contact information](https://vancouver.ca/your-government/contact-the-city-of-vancouver.aspx) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Make a development permit enquiry](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/development-permit-enquiry.aspx) (read 2026-11-09)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Vancouver. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/secondary-suite/_