Secondary Suites

The District of Sechelt recognizes the need for affordable housing to support residents at various stages of life. Secondary suites contribute to the community by providing accessible rental housing, lowering property ownership costs and providing in-law residences for family members who need at-home care. In light of this, the District of Sechelt permits secondary suites in all residential and rural zones.

Secondary Suite Requirements

In addition to the required zoning, secondary suites must comply with both the B.C. Building Code and the District of Sechelt Zoning Bylaw 580, 2022. Properties located within the allowable zones are not automatically permitted to have a secondary suite:

The property must allow for three (3) off-street parking spaces (2 are required for the primary residence and 1 for the secondary suite).
The secondary suite must be located within the single-detached dwelling, which is a single real estate entity.
The presence of an additional kitchen means a house is considered to contain a secondary suite.

For more information on Secondary Suite requirements, contact the District of Sechelt Planning and Building Departments by email or click on the Quick Links.

BUILDING / UPGRADING A SECONDARY SUITE

Before commencing with any work associated with the legalization of a secondary suite, a Building Permit must be applied for. It is advisable that you have an advisor (architect, certified builder) make an assessment in case you are renovating an existing house.

The Building Permit application must be submitted through the District of Sechelt’s online permit system by going to Cloudpermit.ca, selecting the District of Sechelt and following the prompts to make your application.

Apply for a Building Permit

Floor Plans for Building Permit

To apply for the Building Permit, you will need to provide the floor plan of the suite with the following information:

• scale 1/4” = 1'0” or metric equivalent

• floor plans of the complete house to determine the 40 percent total area limit of the suite, and the 90 m2 limit.

• the walls that are the fire separation between the suite and the rest of the house and the proposed Fire Resistance Rating

• the use and sizes of all the rooms

• the exit door(s) and required exit windows

• the sizes of doors, windows, openings

• location of smoke alarms and CO detectors

• the type of ventilation system

• heating system

• wall construction specifics

Site Plans for Building Permit

You will also need to provide a Site Plan showing the following information:

• the entire lot

• legal description of the property

• property lines with dimensions

• location of the house on the lot, setback distances

• identification and dimensions of setbacks from the property line

• location of all parking spaces on the lot

• location of secondary suite and primary dwelling

Plumbing, Gas and Electrical Permits

All new dwellings with a secondary suite require a separate meter and separate electrical panel board except if a joint panel board is placed in a common room.

For safety reasons Gas and Electrical Permits must be taken out by a licensed contractor.

Septic Systems

For dwellings on septic systems a septic assessment is required before a secondary suite can be approved. The septic system will have to be equipped to process any additional sewage flows.