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Williams Lake secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?

Williams Lake, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes, in most residential zones. Williams Lake's zoning bylaw permits accessory dwelling units (secondary suites, in-law suites, laneway and carriage homes) in zones R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RR-1 and MU-1. You also need a City building permit.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowedYes. Accessory dwelling units (which include secondary suites and in-law suites) are permitted uses in zones R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RR-1 and MU-1, subject to s. 3.4. Up to four dwelling units are allowed on eligible serviced residential lots without rezoning.Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, s. 2.4.1, s. 3.4, Part 4; Infill Development · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
DWELLING UNIT, ACCESSORY means a self-contained dwelling unit that detached
suites, in-law suites, laneway homes, and carriage homes.
4A SMALL-SCALE RESIDENTIAL
Dwelling Units, Accessory (a)
4H NEIGHBOURHOOD MIXED-USE
the City has amended its Zoning Bylaw to allow up to four dwelling units on eligible serviced residential properties without requiring a rezoning application.
Coach house or garden suite allowedYes. The zoning definition of an accessory dwelling unit covers units detached from or combined within a building, with examples including laneway homes and carriage homes. Permitted in the same zones as secondary suites (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RR-1, MU-1).Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, s. 2.4.1; Infill Development · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
DWELLING UNIT, ACCESSORY means a self-contained dwelling unit that detached
or combined within a building on the same parcel
suites, in-law suites, laneway homes, and carriage homes.
Detached accessory dwelling units (carriage houses)
LimitsEach unit needs a separate exterior entrance, one cooking facility, bedroom(s) and bathroom(s), a lit 1.2 m path and civic address signage. Units per lot: R-1, R-3, R-4 up to 4; R-2 up to 5 (5+ separate); RR-1 up to 3. Extra water and sewer fees per unit. No size or owner-occupancy rule found.Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, s. 3.4.1 to 3.4.5, 4A.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Accessory dwelling units must have separate entrances from the exterior of the
a single cooking facility, one or more bedrooms and one or more
Accessory dwelling units shall provide a well-lit 1.2m (3.9ft) wide access path
Each dwelling unit shall have a clearly identifiable civic addressing signage
Additional water and sewer utility fees will be charged for each dwelling unit in
Units 1-4
Minimum Lot Size (m²) 560
Units 1-3 & Structures Coverage 35% 15%
Units 1-5 5+ & Structures Coverage 55% 55% 10%
Units 1-4 & Structures Coverage 50% 10%
Parking1 off-street parking space per accessory dwelling unit.Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, s. 3.4.4, 5.4.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Off-street parking shall be required in accordance with Part 5 of this bylaw.
Accessory Dwelling Units 1 space/DU
PermitsA building permit is required for a secondary suite. A development permit is required first if the property is in an OCP development permit area. Contact Development Services about zoning and servicing; a business licence may be needed for certain rental housing arrangements.Building Inspection, A Permit is Required For; Adding a Residence; Building Bylaw No. 2274, 2019 (consolidated PDF), s. 10.1(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Secondary suites and finishing previously unfinished spaces
Planning staff can help you understand zoning requirements, servicing requirements and the approvals that may be needed.
Property owners may also be required to obtain a business license for certain rental housing arrangements.
the owner must apply for and obtain a development permit if the building or structure is in an area designated by the City’s Official Community Plan as a development permit area;
BylawCity of Williams Lake Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (s. 3.4, s. 5.4.1, Part 4); City of Williams Lake Building Bylaw No. 2274, 2019Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, s. 3.4; Building Bylaw No. 2274, 2019 (consolidated PDF), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
3.4 ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
This Bylaw may be cited as the “City of Williams Lake Building Bylaw No. 2274,

How it works

Williams Lake's Zoning Bylaw 2430 permits accessory dwelling units, which include secondary suites, in-law suites, laneway homes and carriage homes, in zones R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RR-1 and MU-1, subject to s. 3.4. Detached units are covered too, but must still meet accessory building rules for size, height and setbacks unless the zone sets other standards. Up to four dwelling units are allowed on eligible serviced residential lots without rezoning. R-5, commercial and industrial zones do not list accessory dwelling units.

A building permit is required for a secondary suite. If the property is in an Official Community Plan development permit area, a development permit is needed first.

Steps

  1. Confirm your lot's zone and servicing with Development Services (250-392-1765).
  2. Check whether the property is in an Official Community Plan development permit area.
  3. Apply for a building permit (see the building permit answer).
  4. Ask whether your arrangement needs a business licence.

Good to know

  • Each unit needs a separate exterior entrance, one cooking facility, bedroom(s) and bathroom(s), a lit 1.2 m path and civic address signage.
  • Units allowed per lot: up to 4 in R-1, R-3 and R-4; up to 5 in R-2; up to 3 in RR-1.
  • Parking: 1 off-street space per accessory dwelling unit.
  • Each unit pays extra water and sewer fees.
  • The bylaw sets no maximum suite size and no owner-occupancy rule that we found. Ask Development Services if you need certainty.
  • The Province requires four units on serviced parcels over 280 m² (see the City's Infill Development page).

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

100 Mile House · Quesnel · Clinton · Cache Creek · Clearwater · Lillooet

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

Sources

  1. Adding a Residence, City of Williams Lake (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Infill Development, City of Williams Lake (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Building Bylaw No. 2274, 2019 (consolidated PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Building Inspection, City of Williams Lake (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. How answers are checked.