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

# White Rock secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes, in the City of White Rock's small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) zones. One registered secondary suite per lot is allowed inside the house, up to 90 m² and two bedrooms, with one extra parking space. A detached suite (coach house or garden suite) is allowed only where the zone specifically permits it.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of White Rock, https://www.whiterockcity.ca)  
**Cost:** Registration $280 with a new house permit, $370 otherwise; building permit fees apply (see building-permit-fees). Annual secondary suite service fee $317, billed on the property tax bill.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building Department (book intake appointment), 604-541-2149
- Phone: Bylaw Enforcement, 604-541-2146
- Email: Bylaw Enforcement, Bylaw@whiterockcity.ca

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** Only in the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) residential zones, as an accessory to a one-unit home, semi-detached building or rowhouse. The suite must be inside the house, not in a detached building.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, sections 5.5 and 5.6), s. 5.5.1](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "shall only be permitted in all SSMUH" … "be an accessory to a one-unit residential use; semi-detached residential building or"
  - Source: [Secondary Suites](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1279/Secondary-Suites)
  - Official wording: "This means the suite cannot be located in a detached accessory building"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** Detached accessory dwelling units (coach house or garden suite) are allowed in the SSMUH zones where specifically permitted. Needs lane access or a 1.0 m wide hard-surfaced lit path to the street; not in a required front or exterior side yard; at least 3.0 m from the house; height up to 7.0 m (6.0 m with a flatter roof) in RS-1.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, sections 5.5 and 5.6), s. 3 Definitions](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "is accessory and detached to the principal building;"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, sections 5.5 and 5.6), s. 5.6.1](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "be allowed only where secondary access can be provided from a lane, or common" … "unobstructed, hard‑surfaced path at least 1.0 m wide"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, sections 5.5 and 5.6), s. 6.1.8](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed a height of 7.0m (22.97ft) for a building with"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, sections 5.5 and 5.6), s. 6.1.10](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "accessory dwelling units shall be located not less than 3.0m (9.84ft) from a principal"
  - Source: [Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing, Key changes](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1213/Small-Scale-Multi-Unit-Housing)
  - Official wording: "Detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as garden suites or coach houses"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** One registered secondary suite per lot, up to 90 m² of residential gross floor area and no more than two bedrooms. Tenants only for periods of 90 days or longer. Cannot be stratified or sold separately. The Zoning Bylaw sets no owner-occupancy rule for a suite. (Sources differ: The City web page says 'one secondary suite per dwelling unit'; the bylaw says per lot. Value follows the bylaw. Owner-occupancy: searched s. 5.5 and the City page; none stated for suites (it applies only to short term rentals, s. 5.8).)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, sections 5.5 and 5.6), s. 5.5.1](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "be limited to one accessory registered secondary suite per lot;" … "limited to a maximum of 90" … "only accommodate tenants for periods of ninety (90) days or greater."
  - Source: [Secondary Suites](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1279/Secondary-Suites)
  - Official wording: "Secondary suites are not permitted to be stratified or sold separately."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** One additional on-site parking space for the suite's occupants (Zoning Bylaw s. 5.5.1(d)). The City says the Province prohibits it from requiring off-street parking on some lots near prescribed bus stops, so check your lot.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, sections 5.5 and 5.6), s. 5.5.1(d)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "provide one additional on-site parking space for occupants of the accessory registered"
  - Source: [Secondary Suites](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1279/Secondary-Suites)
  - Official wording: "One additional on-site parking space must be provided for the occupants of the suite."
  - Source: [Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing, Your property / key changes](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1213/Small-Scale-Multi-Unit-Housing)
  - Official wording: "The Province has incorporated provisions within the legislation, that prohibit the City from requiring off-street parking for lots within these areas."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** A single-family/houseplex renovation permit (building permit) is required to add a suite; book an intake appointment on 604-541-2149. The suite must also be inspected and registered through the City's Secondary Suite Registration process (fee $280 with a new house permit, $370 otherwise).
  - Source: [Single-Family Dwelling / Houseplex Renovation Permits, Intro](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1278/SFD-Houseplex-Renovation-Permit)
  - Official wording: "is required for renovations to a single-family home, including the addition of a secondary suite."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, sections 5.5 and 5.6), s. 5.5.1(e)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "be inspected and registered through the City’s Secondary Suite Registration process;"
  - Source: [2026 Fees and Charges Bylaw 2554, Sch. A, Other Fees](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/12092/Bylaw-2554---2026-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw)
  - Official wording: "house building permit registration $280.00" … "All other secondary suite registrations $370.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw, 2024, No. 2506 (s. 5.5, s. 5.6); Building Bylaw, 2012, No. 1928; Secondary Suite Service Fee Bylaw, 2012, No. 2009
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, sections 5.5 and 5.6), Title](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "WHITE ROCK ZONING BYLAW, 2024, No. 2506"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 1928, Title](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/266/Building-Bylaw-2012-Number-1928-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw, 2012, No. 1928"
  - Source: [Secondary Suite Service Fee Bylaw 2009 (PDF, consolidated January 2026), Title](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/310/Secondary-Suite-Service-Fee-Bylaw-2012-Number-2009-PDF)
  - Official wording: "CITY OF WHITE ROCK BYLAW NO. 2009 A Bylaw to establish a fee payable by the owners and occupiers"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Zoning Bylaw 2506](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024) (section 5.5) allows a registered secondary suite only in the SSMUH residential zones, as an accessory to a one-unit home, semi-detached building or rowhouse. The suite must be inside the house, not in a detached building. It is limited to one per lot, up to 90 m² of residential gross floor area and no more than two bedrooms. Tenants may stay only 90 days or longer, and the suite cannot be stratified or sold separately. The bylaw sets no owner-occupancy rule for a suite.

A detached accessory dwelling unit (coach house or garden suite) is allowed in SSMUH zones where specifically permitted (section 5.6). It needs lane access or a 1.0 m wide hard-surfaced lit path to the street, must not be in a required front or exterior side yard, and must be at least 3.0 m from the house. In RS-1 the height limit is 7.0 m (6.0 m with a flatter roof). Floor-area limits for a detached unit were not found.

## Steps

1. Check your zone (see zoning-lookup).
2. Call 604-541-2149 to book an intake appointment and apply for a renovation (building) permit using the single-family or houseplex checklist.
3. Have the suite inspected and registered through the City's Secondary Suite Registration process.
4. Expect the annual service fee on your property tax bill.

## Good to know

- Parking: one additional on-site space for the suite's occupants. The City says the Province bars it from requiring off-street parking on some lots near prescribed bus stops, so check your lot.
- The City's page says "one secondary suite per dwelling unit"; the bylaw says per lot. Confirm with the Building Department.
- In RS-1, one accessory use is allowed at a time on a one-unit lot, except that a registered suite and a detached unit may be permitted together.
- The business licence fee schedule lists an accessory registered secondary suite at $40, but that schedule is from April 2020 and may be out of date.
- Tickets under Bylaw 1929 for failing to comply with the suite requirements are $500, $1,000, then $2,000 for a third and later offence. Disobeying an order to bring a suite up to Building Code is $250, $500, then $1,000.

## What you'll need

- Building Permit Application and the interior renovation checklist for a single-family dwelling or houseplex

## Official forms and pages

- [Secondary Suites](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1279/Secondary-Suites)
- [Secondary Suite Service Fee Bylaw 2009 (PDF)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/310/Secondary-Suite-Service-Fee-Bylaw-2012-Number-2009-PDF)

## Related questions

- [White Rock building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/building-permit-fees.md)
- [White Rock permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [White Rock zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/zoning-lookup.md)
- [White Rock short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/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)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/secondary-suite.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/secondary-suite.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/secondary-suite.md)
- [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/secondary-suite.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/secondary-suite.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Secondary Suites, City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1279/Secondary-Suites) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Single-Family Dwelling / Houseplex Renovation Permits, City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1278/SFD-Houseplex-Renovation-Permit) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing, City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1213/Small-Scale-Multi-Unit-Housing) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, sections 5.5 and 5.6), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Secondary Suite Service Fee Bylaw 2009 (PDF, consolidated January 2026), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/310/Secondary-Suite-Service-Fee-Bylaw-2012-Number-2009-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- [2026 Fees and Charges Bylaw 2554 (PDF), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/12092/Bylaw-2554---2026-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw 1928 (PDF), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/266/Building-Bylaw-2012-Number-1928-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw 1929 (PDF, consolidated November 2024), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2072/Consolidated---Ticketing-for-Bylaw-Offences-2011-No-1929-PDF) (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 White Rock. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/secondary-suite/_