{"title":"Victoria secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","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 Victoria","url":"https://www.victoria.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. The City of Victoria permits secondary suites in residential buildings and garden suites (its term for a carriage house) in the rear yard. Both need a building permit, plus plumbing and electrical permits. Rules differ between the City's two zoning bylaws, so check which covers your lot.","aliases":["basement suite victoria","garden suite victoria","carriage house victoria","legal suite victoria bc","laneway house victoria"],"cost":"A building permit is required, plus plumbing and electrical permits; see the building-permit-fees answer. No parking is required for a suite under Zoning Bylaw 2018.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Building and Inspection Services (Permit Services)","value":"250-361-0344"},{"type":"email","label":"Permit Services","value":"permits@victoria.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services (zoning)","value":"250-361-0316"},{"type":"email","label":"Zoning","value":"zoning@victoria.ca"},{"type":"online","label":"What Can I Do With My Property","value":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/what-can-i-do-my-property"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"What Can I Do With My Property (City of Victoria)","url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/what-can-i-do-my-property"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2018, Part 3 section 28 Garden Suites (PDF)","url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-2018"},{"title":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M Garden Suites (PDF)","url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/schedule-mpdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Victoria building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Victoria zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"tree-removal","title":"Victoria tree removal rules and permits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/tree-removal/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/oak-bay","name":"Oak Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/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":"Secondary suites are permitted in residential buildings, built to the BC Building Code with all required permits. Zoning Bylaw 2018 zones such as GRD-1 permit 'Residential' (any self-contained dwelling unit). Under the Zoning Regulation Bylaw, restricted zones may have 3 to 6 housing units per lot, including suites, with exceptions.","short":"Yes, in residential buildings built to Building Code","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/what-can-i-do-my-property","title":"What Can I Do With My Property, City of Victoria","section":"What Can I Do With My Property, Can I build a secondary suite","quotes":["Secondary suites are permitted in residential buildings, and must be built in accordance with the BC Building Code and with all required building, plumbing and electrical permits."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Zoning Bylaw 2018: a garden suite (detached dwelling unit in the rear yard) on a lot with a single-detached dwelling or duplex; one per lot. Zoning Regulation Bylaw: Schedule M allows one only if the house is a single family dwelling without a secondary suite, but in restricted zones s. 52 waives those two limits.","short":"Yes, one garden suite per lot","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-2018","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2018 (18-072) (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw 2018, s. 2 definition and Part 3, s. 28","quotes":["used or designed as a Dwelling Unit","located on a Lot with a single-detached dwelling or duplex.","Garden Suites must be located in the Rear Yard;","Only one Garden Suite is permitted on a Lot;"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/schedule-mpdf","title":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M Garden Suites (PDF)","section":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M, s. 1","quotes":["A garden suite is only permitted when the primary building is used for a single family","c. No more than one garden suite is permitted on a lot."]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-regulation-bylaw-general-regulations","title":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, general regulations (PDF)","section":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw general regulations s. 52(1)(d)","quotes":["a garden suite is permitted on a lot, subject to the regulations within Schedule “M”,","sections 1.a., 1.b. and 6.a. of Schedule “M” do not apply; and"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Zoning Bylaw 2018: garden suite max 56 m² and 4.2 m high, one per lot, within 25% of rear yard. Zoning Regulation Bylaw restricted zones: up to 3 housing units (lot 280 m² or less), 4 (larger lot), or 6 (larger lot near a bus stop); Schedule M garden suite 37 m² and 3.5 m. No owner-occupancy rule found.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-2018","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2018 (18-072) (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw 2018, Part 3, s. 28","quotes":["The Floor Area of a Garden Suite must not exceed 56m2;","The Height of a Garden Suite must not exceed 4.2m;","constructed prior to July 11, 2019 or a minimum of 5 years before the proposed conversion;","The Garden Suite must not occupy more than 25% of the rear yard."]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/schedule-mpdf","title":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M Garden Suites (PDF)","section":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M, s. 1, 4, 5","quotes":["A garden suite is not permitted on a lot when a single family dwelling contains a","Floor area (maximum) 37m2","iii. Floor area (maximum) 56m2"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-regulation-bylaw-general-regulations","title":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, general regulations (PDF)","section":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw general regulations s. 52(1)(a)-(c)","quotes":["up to three housing units are permitted on lots with a site area equal to, or less than,","up to four housing units are permitted on lots with a site area greater than 280m2;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"No parking is required for a secondary or garden suite under Zoning Bylaw 2018. Under the Zoning Regulation Bylaw none is required unless two suites share a lot (then one extra space), and none for residential uses in transit oriented areas or on lots using the 6-unit allowance (s. 52(1)(f), 53).","short":"None required","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-2018","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2018 (18-072) (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw 2018, Part 5, Table 1","quotes":["Secondary Suite,","Garden Suite or a"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/1197","title":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule C Off-Street Parking (PDF)","section":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule C","quotes":["unless two Secondary Suites, two Garden Suites,","shall be provided in addition to the number of"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-regulation-bylaw-general-regulations","title":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, general regulations (PDF)","section":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw general regulations s. 52(1)(f), s. 53(1)","quotes":["no vehicle parking spaces are required on lots that utilize the housing unit allowances","within transit oriented areas no vehicle","parking spaces are required for residential uses, subject to subsection (2)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is required to create a secondary suite (and a garden suite), with all required plumbing and electrical permits. Secondary suites generally need no rezoning or development permit; a development permit applies if the property's development permit area requires one. Development permits are approved first.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated","title":"Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (PDF)","section":"s. 6(1)","quotes":["unless a building official has issued a valid and subsisting permit"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building","title":"Building Permits, City of Victoria","section":"How to Apply","quotes":["all applicable development permits must be approved before applying for building permits"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/what-can-i-do-my-property","title":"What Can I Do With My Property, City of Victoria","section":"What Can I Do With My Property, secondary suite and residential infill sections","quotes":["A building permit is required to create a garden suite or secondary suite.","In addition to obtaining a building permit, development may require a development permit or heritage alteration permit,"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw 2018 (No. 18-072), Part 3 s. 28 and Part 5; Zoning Regulation Bylaw (No. 80-159), general regulations s. 52, Schedule M (Garden Suites) and Schedule C; Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw No. 17-113.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-2018","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2018 (18-072) (PDF)","section":"Part 3, s. 28","quotes":["Garden Suites must be in compliance with the following:"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/schedule-mpdf","title":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M Garden Suites (PDF)","section":"Schedule M","quotes":["Schedule M – Garden Suites"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-regulation-bylaw-general-regulations","title":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, general regulations (PDF)","section":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw general regulations s. 52","quotes":["Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Bylaw, the following regulations apply to restricted"]}],"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\nVictoria permits secondary suites in residential buildings, built to the BC Building Code with all required permits. Zoning Bylaw 2018 zones such as GRD-1 permit \"Residential\", which means any self-contained dwelling unit. A garden suite is a detached dwelling unit in the rear yard.\n\nVictoria has two zoning bylaws, each covering different properties: Zoning Bylaw 2018, which covers most residential lands, and the older Zoning Regulation Bylaw. Check which applies to your property, since the rules below differ.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Look up your zone and bylaw on VicMap (see the zoning-lookup answer), or call Development Services at 250-361-0316 or email zoning@victoria.ca.\n2. If your property's development permit area requires a development permit, get it approved first. Secondary suites generally need no rezoning.\n3. Apply for a building permit, plus plumbing and electrical permits.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Zoning Bylaw 2018: a garden suite goes on a lot with a single-detached dwelling or duplex; one per lot; up to 56 m² and 4.2 m high; within 25% of the rear yard.\n- Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M: a garden suite is up to 37 m² and 3.5 m high (one storey), or up to 56 m², 4.2 m and 1.5 storeys on a \"plus site\" (a corner lot, a lot with two street frontages or rear lane access, or a lot over 557 m²). It is allowed only if the house is a single family dwelling without a secondary suite.\n- In restricted zones under the Zoning Regulation Bylaw, section 52 allows up to 3 housing units on a lot of 280 m² or less, 4 on a larger lot, or 6 on a larger lot near a bus stop. It also waives the Schedule M limits on the house type and an existing secondary suite.\n- Parking: none is required for a secondary or garden suite under Zoning Bylaw 2018. Under the Zoning Regulation Bylaw none is required unless two suites share a lot (then one extra space), and none in transit oriented areas or on lots using the 6-unit allowance.\n- Building a garden suite may require tree information under the Tree Protection Bylaw; see the tree-removal answer.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/what-can-i-do-my-property","title":"What Can I Do With My Property, City of Victoria","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-2018","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2018 (18-072) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/schedule-mpdf","title":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M Garden Suites (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-regulation-bylaw-general-regulations","title":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, general regulations (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/1197","title":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule C Off-Street Parking (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated","title":"Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building","title":"Building Permits, City of Victoria","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/business-hub/starting-business","title":"Starting a Business, City of Victoria Business Hub (Development Services contact)","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/victoria/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/secondary-suite.json"}}