View Royal secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a garden suite?

View Royal, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Often yes in the Town of View Royal, depending on your zone. One secondary suite inside a house needs a building permit. A garden suite (a detached backyard suite) needs a development permit ($550) and a building permit. Neither may be a short-term rental. Check your zone first.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowed	Accessory use in A-1, A-2, A-3 (lot at least 600 m²), R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2 (detached dwelling only) and CD-5, CD-9CS, CD-13, CD-19A, CD-21, CD-28C to E. Not allowed in CD-20 or CD-28A, B and F. The Town says most residential zones.Secondary Suites, Secondary Suites page; Zoning Bylaw 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 4.1, 5.8, Schedule D and zone tables), ss. 7.1-8.5 zone tables · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Secondary suites are permitted in most residential zones that permit a single-family dwelling, subject to meeting the Zoning Bylaw and BC Building Code requirements. some properties within a permitted zone may not be able to meet these requirements and therefore are not eligible to have a secondary suite. Accessory Uses a) Home Occupation b) Secondary Suite c) Garden Suite, subject to Schedule D b) Secondary Suite within a Residential Detached dwelling only Secondary Suites per lot, maximum 1 (min. lot size of 600m2) e) A secondary suites are not permitted in CD-28A, CD-28B and CD-28F.
Coach house or garden suite allowed	Detached suites are garden suites, an accessory use in R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2 and CD-5, CD-13, CD-16, CD-19A, CD-21, CD-28C to E. The A-1 to A-3 tables do not list them. A lot may have a garden suite and a secondary suite. No short-term rental or strata title.Garden Suites, Garden Suites page; Secondary Suites, Frequently Asked Questions; Zoning Bylaw 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 4.1, 5.8, Schedule D and zone tables), zone tables; s. 3.3.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Garden suites are permitted on all properties that allow a single-family detached dwelling, and that are appropriately zoned. A property that has a single-family dwelling with a secondary suite may also have a garden suite on the same lot. cannot be used for short-term rentals (i.e., Airbnb, VRBO, etc.), nor strata titled. Those dwelling units are referred to as Garden Suites. Accessory Uses a) Home Occupation b) Secondary Suite c) Kennel 3.3.4.A garden suite and secondary suite are both permitted on one lot as accessory to a residential, detached building
Limits	Only one secondary suite per lot; it cannot be subdivided or stratified. A lot off the Town sewer needs written confirmation of sewer capacity. No vacation rental use. Current Zoning s. 4.1 sets no size cap or owner-occupancy rule, but older Type 2 suite permits are renewed yearly before March 1 with an owner-occupancy declaration.Zoning Bylaw 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 4.1, 5.8, Schedule D and zone tables), ss. 4.1.1-4.1.3; Secondary Suites, Frequently Asked Questions; Fees and Charges Bylaw 958, consolidated to September 2026, s. 2(eee) and (fff), amending Bylaw 601 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording only one secondary suite is permitted on a lot. written confirmation from the applicable licensing body that the capacity of the lot’s sewer system will not must not be subdivided from the dwelling unit to which it is A homeowner is permitted to have one secondary suite within the principal building. Secondary suites are not permitted to be non-residential commercial overnight accommodation, including vacation rentals, Airbnb, etc., regardless of length of stay. providing a statutory declaration as to the owner-occupancy of the suite in the prescribed form A secondary suite permit must be renewed annually before March 1
Parking	One parking space per secondary suite, which cannot be in tandem with another required space. On a corner lot the space must be at least 6 m from the corner. A space not directly extending the driveway needs a permanent surface, screening at least 0.6 m high from neighbours, and access from the existing driveway.Zoning Bylaw 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 4.1, 5.8, Schedule D and zone tables), Table 5.2; s. 5.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Secondary Suite 1 per dwelling unit, which cannot be in N/A tandem with another required space must, in the case of a corner lot, be located at least 6m from the point of be surfaced with permanent surface of asphalt, concrete or similar permeable be screened from adjacent residential lot by a landscape screen not less than 0.6m in
Permits	A building permit is required for every new secondary suite (use the Part 9 Minor Projects application). The Town does not issue business licences for secondary suites. A garden suite needs a development permit (fee $550, or $750 if a variance is needed) and a building permit.Secondary Suites, Secondary Suite Requirements; Building & Plumbing Permits, Application Forms; Garden Suites, How to Apply · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording All new secondary suites are required to be installed through a building permit to ensure compliance with the BC Building code and Town bylaws. No, the Town does not issue business licenses for secondary suites. For construction of interior or exterior renovations, additions, secondary suites, etc. A development permit and building permit are required. The Development Permit Application fee is $550.00. If a variance is required, then the application fee increases to $750.00.
Bylaw	Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014 (ss. 4.1, 5.8, 5.10 and Schedule D, Garden Suite Regulations); Building Bylaw No. 1111, 2023Zoning Bylaw 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 4.1, 5.8, Schedule D and zone tables), ss. 4.1, 5.8, Schedule D; Building Bylaw 1111, 2023, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording ZONING BYLAW NO. 900, 2014 4.1 SECONDARY SUITES SCHEDULE D: GARDEN SUITE REGULATIONS BUILDING BYLAW NO. 1111, 2023

How it works

The Town of View Royal allows secondary suites in most residential zones that allow a single-family dwelling, subject to the Zoning Bylaw and BC Building Code. Some lots will not qualify. Check your zone on the Zoning Map, then the zone table.

Secondary suite (inside the house): an accessory use in A-1, A-2, A-3 (lot at least 600 m2), R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2 (detached dwelling only) and CD-5, CD-9CS, CD-13, CD-19A, CD-21 and CD-28C to E. It is not allowed in CD-20 or CD-28A, B and F. Other zones were not all checked.
Garden suite (detached): an accessory use in R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2 and CD-5, CD-13, CD-16, CD-19A, CD-21 and CD-28C to E. The A-1 to A-3 tables do not list garden suites, although the Town's page says all zones allowing a single-family dwelling. A lot may have both a garden suite and a secondary suite.

Only one secondary suite is allowed per lot. Neither type of suite can be stratified or used as a vacation rental. A lot off the Town sewer needs written confirmation of sewer capacity. Parking: one space per secondary suite, not in tandem with another required space, and at least 6 m from the corner on a corner lot.

Steps for a secondary suite

Check your zone and read Zoning Bylaw sections 4.1 and 5.8.
Apply for a building permit using the Part 9 Minor Projects application. The Town does not issue business licences for secondary suites.
Book inspections as work proceeds. Decommissioning a suite also needs a Part 9 Minor Projects permit.

Steps for a garden suite

Confirm your zone allows one and that trees are protected (a tree permit and arborist report may be needed).
Plan how it will be serviced.
Apply for a development permit at planning@viewroyal.ca or in person. The fee is $550, or $750 if a variance is needed. Pay in person by cheque, cash or debit.
Then apply for a building permit.

Good to know

Garden suite limits (Schedule D): rear yard only, at least 1.5 m from side and rear lot lines and 3.5 m from a flanking street, no deck, balcony or rooftop patio. Floor area is 37 m2 on lots up to 549 m2, 60 m2 on lots of 550 to 999 m2, and 65 m2 on lots of 1,000 m2 or more. Height is 3.5 m on lots up to 549 m2 and 4.5 m on larger lots.
A garden suite is not allowed on a lot with a Level 3 home occupation.
Type 2 suites (permitted before September 1, 2007, not inspected for code compliance) need an annual permit renewal before March 1 ($100). Renewal needs a statutory declaration of owner-occupancy. A lapsed permit needs a new application. Getting a building permit to bring the suite up to code ends the renewals.
The current Zoning Bylaw section 4.1 sets no floor area cap or owner-occupancy rule for new suites. Ask Building Services if you are unsure.
To check whether a suite is legal, email buildingpermits@viewroyal.ca.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Esquimalt · Colwood · Victoria · Langford · Saanich · Highlands

Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Secondary Suites, Town of View Royal (read 2026-11-05)
Garden Suites, Town of View Royal (read 2026-11-05)
Building & Plumbing Permits, Town of View Royal (read 2026-11-05)
Zoning Bylaw 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 4.1, 5.8, Schedule D and zone tables) (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw 958, consolidated to September 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Building Bylaw 1111, 2023 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)

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