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

# West Vancouver secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**Short answer:** West Vancouver requires secondary suites to meet applicable building requirements, be registered with the municipality and be licensed according to their use. Check the District’s suite guide before converting or renting the space.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of West Vancouver, https://westvancouver.ca)  
**Where:**
- Phone: The planning office, 604-925-7055

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** For example, the RS1 zone lists secondary suites as a permitted use. Check the applicable zone and the general residential rules for the address.
  - Source: [District of West Vancouver Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, zone regulations, Section 201.01(j), RS1 permitted uses](https://www.westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/zoning-bylaw-4662-section-200-single-family-dwelling-zones.pdf)
  - Official wording: "201 – RS1 Single Family Dwelling Zone 1 AMENDING BYLAW SECTION REGULATION 201.01 Permitted Uses (a) accessory buildings and uses" … "(i) single family dwellings (j) secondary suites"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** The RS1 zone lists a detached secondary suite. Other zones and the general residential rules must be checked separately.
  - Source: [District of West Vancouver Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, zone regulations, Section 201.01(d), RS1 permitted uses](https://www.westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/zoning-bylaw-4662-section-200-single-family-dwelling-zones.pdf)
  - Official wording: "201 – RS1 Single Family Dwelling Zone 1 AMENDING BYLAW SECTION REGULATION 201.01 Permitted Uses (a) accessory buildings and uses (b) child care (c) community care #4772 (d) detached secondary suite"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Limits:** Not confirmed. Checked Secondary Suites; not found there.
- **Parking:** Not confirmed. Checked Secondary Suites; not found there.
- **Permits:** West Vancouver requires secondary suites to meet applicable building requirements, be registered with the municipality and be licensed according to their use.
  - Source: [Secondary Suites, Short-term rentals](https://www.westvancouver.ca/business-development/building-development/development-regulations/single-family-lots/secondary-suites)
  - Official wording: "Secondary suites are legal in West Vancouver if they: * comply with BC Building Code standards * are registered with the municipality * are licensed according to the suite’s use ### BC Building Code Requirements for Secondary Suites"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** District of West Vancouver Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, 2010. Use the applicable zone section and the general regulations.
  - Source: [District of West Vancouver Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, zone regulations, Zoning Bylaw title, RS1 schedule and District bylaw directory](https://www.westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/zoning-bylaw-4662-section-200-single-family-dwelling-zones.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, 2010 District of West Vancouver Page 200 - 1 444166v1Document # 444166v1 SECTION 200 ● SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING ZONES 200 - SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING ZONES 201 – RS1 Single Family Dwelling Zone 1"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, 2010, Zoning Bylaw title, RS1 schedule and District bylaw directory](https://www.westvancouver.ca/government-administration/bylaws-licensing/find-bylaw/zoning-bylaw-no-4662-2010)
  - Official wording: "The Zoning Brochure contains supplemental information to the Zoning Bylaw that helps illustrate the frequently used regulations for residents and builders. Please note that the Zoning Brochure is currently being updated by staff. You should always refer to the sections of the Zoning Bylaw when designing your project for the most up-to-date and accurate information. You may also want to refer to the Zoning Map (Section 852)."
  - 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. The RS1 zone lists a detached secondary suite. Other zones and the general residential rules must be checked separately.

## Steps

1. Check the housing guidance in [Secondary Suites](https://www.westvancouver.ca/business-development/building-development/development-regulations/single-family-lots/secondary-suites). 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

- For example, the RS1 zone lists secondary suites as a permitted use. Check the applicable zone and the general residential rules for the address.
- Use West Vancouver’s property information search.
- Permits Department, 604-925-7040.
- When discussing an existing unit, distinguish what a current zone permits from any approvals already on file for that particular unit.
- For a question about the dwelling type, the zone and whether the proposed suite is attached or detached, call the planning office at 604-925-7055.
- Read the applicable provisions in [District of West Vancouver Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, zone regulations (PDF)](https://www.westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/zoning-bylaw-4662-section-200-single-family-dwelling-zones.pdf).

## Related questions

- [West Vancouver fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/fence-rules.md)
- [West Vancouver tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/tree-removal.md)
- [West Vancouver zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-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)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/secondary-suite.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/secondary-suite.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/secondary-suite.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/secondary-suite.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/secondary-suite.md)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Secondary Suites](https://www.westvancouver.ca/business-development/building-development/development-regulations/single-family-lots/secondary-suites) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Online Services](https://westvancouver.ca/services/online-services) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Regulations and Fees | District of West Vancouver](https://www.westvancouver.ca/business-development/building-development/building-permits-inspections/regulations-fees) (read 2026-11-09)
- [District of West Vancouver Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, zone regulations (PDF)](https://www.westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/zoning-bylaw-4662-section-200-single-family-dwelling-zones.pdf) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, 2010, District of West Vancouver](https://www.westvancouver.ca/government-administration/bylaws-licensing/find-bylaw/zoning-bylaw-no-4662-2010) (read 2026-11-09)
- [West Vancouver municipal office contact information](https://westvancouver.ca/contact) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Submitting a Development Application | District of West Vancouver](https://westvancouver.ca/business-development/building-development/submitting-development-application) (read 2026-11-09)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of West Vancouver. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/secondary-suite/_