---
title: Vanderhoof secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Vanderhoof?"
place: Vanderhoof, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/vanderhoof
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Vanderhoof
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/secondary-suite.json"
---

# Vanderhoof secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes, in Vanderhoof a secondary suite is allowed inside a single-family dwelling in the R-1, R-2, R-4, RS-1, RS-3, RR-1, RR-2 and A-1 zones. A detached secondary dwelling is allowed in some zones. You need a building permit and one extra parking space for a suite.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Vanderhoof, https://vanderhoof.ca)  
**Cost:** No separate suite permit or fee is stated in the Zoning Bylaw. Building permit fees apply (see building-permit-fees).  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Municipal Office, 250-567-4711 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Online: Building Inspection & Zoning, https://vanderhoof.ca/municipal-hall/building-inspection-zoning-bylaw/

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** Yes, inside a single-family dwelling in the R-1, R-2, R-4, RS-1, RS-3, RR-1, RR-2 and A-1 zones. Part 4 also lists R-3, but the R-3 zone table excepts two named lots (amended by Bylaws 1260 and 1293); confirm with the District.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1230, 2020, Part 4, consolidated to July 13, 2026, Zoning Bylaw Part 4, Secondary Suites](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/72408/)
  - Official wording: "Secondary suites are permitted only in single-family dwellings in the R-1, R-2, R-3," … "R-4, RS-1, RS-3, RR-1, RR-2, and A-1 zones;" … "Secondary suites are permitted only in single‐family dwellings in the R‐1, R‐2, R‐3," … "family dwelling, except Lot 3, Plan"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1230, 2020, Part 4, consolidated to July 13, 2026, Zoning Bylaw, definition](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/72408/)
  - Official wording: "SECONDARY SUITE means an accessory second dwelling unit located within a single-family"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** A detached secondary dwelling (carriage or cottage housing) is allowed in R-1, RS-1, RS-3, RR-1 and RR-2, only on lots at least 12.0 m wide, one per lot, and not together with a bed and breakfast or secondary suite on the same site.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1230, 2020, Part 4, consolidated to July 13, 2026, Zoning Bylaw Part 4, Secondary Dwelling](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/72408/)
  - Official wording: "in zones R-1, RS-1, RS-3, RR- 1, and RR-" … "width of 12.0 m or greater." … "No more than one secondary dwelling" … "CARRIAGE HOUSING means a secondary dwelling unit constructed above a detached" … "A secondary dwelling is not permitted in conjunction with a bed & breakfast," … "secondary suite, or multiple residential uses on the same site."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Limits:** Suite: one per single-family dwelling; area set by the BC Building Code. Detached secondary dwelling: up to 90 m² or 60% of the principal dwelling's floor area, whichever is less; height up to 7.0 m; all structures at most 40% of the parcel.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1230, 2020, Part 4, consolidated to July 13, 2026, Zoning Bylaw Part 4, Secondary Suites and Secondary Dwelling](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/72408/)
  - Official wording: "Only one secondary suite is permitted in a single-family dwelling unit;" … "The total area of the secondary suite shall be in determined in accordance with the" … "shall not exceed 90 m2 or a" … "maximum of 60% of the floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is less;" … "The maximum height of a secondary dwelling shall not exceed 7.0 m;" … "shall not exceed 40% of the total parcel area;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Parking:** Suite: one additional parking space on the parcel. Detached secondary dwelling: all spaces required by Table 1 on the same lot (single and two-family dwellings need 2 per dwelling unit).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1230, 2020, Part 4, consolidated to July 13, 2026, Zoning Bylaw Part 4 and Table 1](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/72408/)
  - Official wording: "one additional parking space shall be provided" … "All dedicated parking spaces required by Table 1 of this Bylaw shall be provided on the" … "Single and two-family dwellings 2 per dwelling unit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permits:** No work without a building permit, and permits are subject to zoning confirmation. A Hazard Development Permit applies within 15 m of the natural boundary of the Nechako River and its primary tributaries.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 965, 2004, Building Bylaw s. 6.1](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/73104/)
  - Official wording: "No person shall commence or continue any work related to the construction, erection,"
  - Source: [Building Inspection & Zoning, District page, Building Permits](https://vanderhoof.ca/municipal-hall/building-inspection-zoning-bylaw/)
  - Official wording: "All Building Permit Applications are subject to confirmation of Zoning."
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1297, 2026, OCP s. 6.1 Development Permit Areas](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/67458/)
  - Official wording: "Hazard Development Permit Area: Areas identified within 15m from the natural boundary of the Nechako"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1230, 2020 (Part 4: Secondary Suites, Secondary Dwelling) and Building Bylaw No. 965, 2004.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1230, 2020, Part 4, consolidated to July 13, 2026, Title page](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/72408/)
  - Official wording: "DISTRICT OF VANDERHOOF BYLAW 1230, 2020 CONSOLIDATED VERSION (Includes amendment as of July 13, 2026) This is a consolidated copy to be used for convenience only. Users are asked to refer to the Zoning Bylaw as"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 965, 2004, Title page](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/73104/)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW NO. 965, 2004"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The [Zoning Bylaw No. 1230](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/72408/), Part 4, allows a secondary suite inside a single-family dwelling in the R-1, R-2, R-4, RS-1, RS-3, RR-1, RR-2 and A-1 zones. Part 4 also lists R-3, but the R-3 zone table excepts two named lots (amended by Bylaws 1260 and 1293), so confirm with the District.

A detached secondary dwelling (carriage or cottage housing) is allowed in R-1, RS-1, RS-3, RR-1 and RR-2, only on lots at least 12.0 m wide, one per lot, and not together with a bed and breakfast or secondary suite on the same site.

Limits:

- Suite: one per single-family dwelling; its area is set by the BC Building Code. The Zoning Bylaw sets no owner-occupancy rule for suites that we found.
- Detached secondary dwelling: up to 90 m² or 60% of the principal dwelling's floor area, whichever is less; height up to 7.0 m; all structures at most 40% of the parcel. Setbacks are 1.5 m from interior and rear lines, 3.0 m from an exterior line and 2.4 m from the principal dwelling's projections.
- Parking: a suite needs one additional space on the parcel. A detached secondary dwelling needs all spaces required by Table 1 on the same lot (single and two-family dwellings need 2 per dwelling unit).

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone with the zoning-lookup answer.
2. Phone the Municipal Office at 250-567-4711 to confirm your lot qualifies.
3. Apply for a building permit; no work may start without one. Permits are subject to zoning confirmation.

## Good to know

- A Hazard Development Permit applies within 15 m of the natural boundary of the Nechako River and its primary tributaries.
- The A-1 zone table lists a secondary dwelling, although the Part 4 list leaves A-1 out. Ask the District.
- A bylaw notice for not following suite rules is $250 ($190 if paid within 14 days, $375 after 30 days). For secondary dwelling rules it is $200 ($150, $300).

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1230, 2020 (PDF)](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/72408/)
- [Building Bylaw No. 965, 2004 (PDF)](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/73104/)

## Related questions

- [Vanderhoof building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/building-permit.md)
- [Vanderhoof zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Vanderhoof home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/home-based-business.md)
- [Vanderhoof short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/short-term-rental.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Fraser Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fraser-lake/secondary-suite.md)
- [Fort St James](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/secondary-suite.md)
- [Prince George](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/secondary-suite.md)
- [Burns Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burns-lake/secondary-suite.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/secondary-suite.md)
- [Quesnel](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1230, 2020, Part 4, consolidated to July 13, 2026 (PDF)](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/72408/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Bylaw No. 965, 2004 (PDF)](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/73104/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Inspection & Zoning, District of Vanderhoof](https://vanderhoof.ca/municipal-hall/building-inspection-zoning-bylaw/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1297, 2026 (PDF)](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/67458/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1288, 2025 (PDF)](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/94033/) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Vanderhoof. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/secondary-suite/_