---
title: Victoria secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?"
place: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/victoria
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Victoria
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/secondary-suite.json"
---

# Victoria secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Victoria, https://www.victoria.ca)  
**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.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building and Inspection Services (Permit Services), 250-361-0344
- Email: Permit Services, permits@victoria.ca
- Phone: Development Services (zoning), 250-361-0316
- Email: Zoning, zoning@victoria.ca
- Online: What Can I Do With My Property, https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/what-can-i-do-my-property

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [What Can I Do With My Property, What Can I Do With My Property, Can I build a secondary suite](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/what-can-i-do-my-property)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2018 (18-072), Zoning Bylaw 2018, s. 2 definition and Part 3, s. 28](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-2018)
  - Official wording: "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;"
  - Source: [Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M Garden Suites, Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M, s. 1](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/schedule-mpdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Zoning Regulation Bylaw, general regulations, Zoning Regulation Bylaw general regulations s. 52(1)(d)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-regulation-bylaw-general-regulations)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2018 (18-072), Zoning Bylaw 2018, Part 3, s. 28](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-2018)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M Garden Suites, Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M, s. 1, 4, 5](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/schedule-mpdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Zoning Regulation Bylaw, general regulations, Zoning Regulation Bylaw general regulations s. 52(1)(a)-(c)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-regulation-bylaw-general-regulations)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** 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).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2018 (18-072), Zoning Bylaw 2018, Part 5, Table 1](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-2018)
  - Official wording: "Secondary Suite," … "Garden Suite or a"
  - Source: [Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule C Off-Street Parking](https://www.victoria.ca/media/1197)
  - Official wording: "unless two Secondary Suites, two Garden Suites," … "shall be provided in addition to the number of"
  - Source: [Zoning Regulation Bylaw, general regulations, Zoning Regulation Bylaw general regulations s. 52(1)(f), s. 53(1)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-regulation-bylaw-general-regulations)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** 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.
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113, s. 6(1)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "unless a building official has issued a valid and subsisting permit"
  - Source: [Building Permits, How to Apply](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building)
  - Official wording: "all applicable development permits must be approved before applying for building permits"
  - Source: [What Can I Do With My Property, What Can I Do With My Property, secondary suite and residential infill sections](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/what-can-i-do-my-property)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2018 (18-072), Part 3, s. 28](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-2018)
  - Official wording: "Garden Suites must be in compliance with the following:"
  - Source: [Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M Garden Suites](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/schedule-mpdf)
  - Official wording: "Schedule M – Garden Suites"
  - Source: [Zoning Regulation Bylaw, general regulations, Zoning Regulation Bylaw general regulations s. 52](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-regulation-bylaw-general-regulations)
  - Official wording: "Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Bylaw, the following regulations apply to restricted"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Victoria 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.

Victoria 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.

## Steps

1. 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.
2. If your property's development permit area requires a development permit, get it approved first. Secondary suites generally need no rezoning.
3. Apply for a building permit, plus plumbing and electrical permits.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Building a garden suite may require tree information under the Tree Protection Bylaw; see the tree-removal answer.

## Official forms and pages

- [What Can I Do With My Property (City of Victoria)](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/what-can-i-do-my-property)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2018, Part 3 section 28 Garden Suites (PDF)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-2018)
- [Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M Garden Suites (PDF)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/schedule-mpdf)

## Related questions

- [Victoria building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit.md)
- [Victoria zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Victoria tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/tree-removal.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Oak Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/secondary-suite.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/secondary-suite.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/secondary-suite.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/secondary-suite.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/secondary-suite.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [What Can I Do With My Property, City of Victoria](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/what-can-i-do-my-property) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2018 (18-072) (PDF)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-2018) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule M Garden Suites (PDF)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/schedule-mpdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Regulation Bylaw, general regulations (PDF)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/zoning-regulation-bylaw-general-regulations) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule C Off-Street Parking (PDF)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/1197) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (PDF)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permits, City of Victoria](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Starting a Business, City of Victoria Business Hub (Development Services contact)](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/business-hub/starting-business) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Victoria. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/secondary-suite/_