Secondary Suites

Secondary suites are a permitted accessory use in all RS, RD and A zones.

What are the legal requirements for a Secondary Suite?

In order for a Secondary Suite to be legal, you must meet all of the requirements below.

• You must meet the conditions of the relevant zone or Schedule G (e.g. maximum floor area/floor space ratio).

• There is a maximum of one Secondary Suite permitted per primary dwelling unit.

• The Secondary Suite must be wholly contained within the primary dwelling unit, Secondary Suites may not be connected to the primary dwelling unit by a breezeway or enclosed hallway. They must be an integral part of the primary dwelling unit.

• A Secondary Suite shall not be sited or located on a separate titled parcel from the single family dwelling or houseplex.

• You need an Occupancy Permit for the Secondary Suite from the Saanich Building Inspections Division, based on the relevant section(s) of the BC Building Code related to Secondary Suites.

• Unless the applicable regulations say otherwise, you must provide one additional onsite parking space for the Secondary Suite occupant. We allow tandem parking on the driveway. For new buildings, the Secondary Suites parking space must also have an Energized EV Outlet for Level 2 electric vehicle charging.

• For more information on Secondary Suites see the Secondary Suites information bulletin from the Province of BC.

• Boarding is not permitted within the Secondary Suite.

How can I make a Secondary Suite legal?
A.  Existing Single Family Dwelling or Houseplex

• Review the requirements above and make sure you can comply with them.
• Consult a building professional — Builder, Building Designer, Architect — to learn what you need to meet relevant BC Building Code requirements.
• Complete and submit a Building Permit Application for Renovation of a Single Family Dwelling.  Include all attachments, and permit fee.
• Complete and submit a Building Permit Application for Addition to a Single Family Dwelling.  Including all attachments, and permit fee.

Approval

• Inspection Department staff send the application on referral to other internal departments for review and complete the necessary inspections.

An Occupancy Permit for the Secondary Suite will be issued once the owner has met all of the requirements.

B.  New Single Family Dwelling or Houseplex

Same as above, except you would need to complete and submit a Building Permit Application for a new Single Family Dwelling or Houseplex, including all the required attachments and permit fee.

We list fees for convenience only (subject to change without notice)