As an alternative to a secondary suite within the principal dwelling, most residential zones ('R' and 'RE' zones) would now be permitted to construct a detached accessory dwelling unit. With any detached accessory dwelling unit, a covenant registered on title is required to:
- confirm the dwelling is for rental housing purposes (does not allow short term vacation rental or Bed & Breakfast),
- that no other accessory dwelling unit is permitted on the property,
- that the detached accessory dwelling unit cannot be subdivided or separated from the principal dwelling in any way, and
- allows for occupancy by property owners, family members, caregivers, caretakers, or employees serving the property.
Detached accessory dwelling units include 1-storey cottages or 2-storey carriage houses.
For all ‘R’ Residential zoned properties, which are within the Urban Settlement Boundary, the regulations allow a 1-storey cottage as an alternative to a suite within the principal dwelling. A Development Permit would be required.
For ‘RE’ Rural Estate zoned properties, which are located in Rural areas, the regulations allow either a 2-storey carriage house or 1-storey cottage as an alternative to a suite within a principal dwelling. A Development Permit is not required on Rural lands.
Where are they permitted?
- Residential zones (‘R’ or ‘RE’) which currently permit a secondary suite, would now be permitted an ‘Accessory Dwelling Unit’.
- They would not be permitted in the R-1Z and RE-5 zones since they currently do not permit a secondary suite.
- Only one accessory dwelling unit is permitted per lot.
- Within the Urban Settlement Area, a one-storey cottages or a suite within the principal dwelling is permitted.
- Outside of the Urban Settlement Area, a two-storey carriage house, one-storey cottage or suite is permitted.
- The lot must be 400 m2 (4,305 ft2) in area or larger to have a suite, or 500 m2 (5,381 ft2) to have a cottage.
- They are not permitted on properties containing a duplex.
- They are not permitted on a panhandle lot within the Urban Settlement Area.
What can they be used for?
- Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted for rental housing purposes.
- They are not to be used as a Bed and Breakfast or for short-term vacation rentals.
- Accessory Dwelling Unit may not be stratified, subdivided, or otherwise legally separated from the principal dwelling.
- When a cottage or carriage house is constructed, a covenant will be required to:
- Prohibit it from being subdivided or separated from the principal dwelling,
- Specify no other accessory dwelling unit is permitted,
- Specify it is for rental housing or occupied by a property owner, family member, or caregiver, caretaker, or employee serving the property.
What are the specific building design regulations?
- Suites have a maximum floor area of 90 m², regardless of the size of the principal dwelling. The previous limit of 40% of the total floor area for a suite no longer applies.
- The size of permitted cottage varies by zone, but is 10% lot coverage up to a maximum floor area as follows:
Zone | Minimum Lot Area | Cottage |
| (m2) | Up to Max. Size of: |
R-1 | 780 | 70 m2 (753 ft2) |
R-1M | 660 | 70 m2 (753 ft2) |
R-2 (SFD)* | 660 | 70 m2 (753 ft2) |
R-2S (SFD)* | 550 | 50 m2 (538 ft2) |
R-1S | 480 | 50 m2 (538 ft2) |
RCH | 440 | 50 m2 (538 ft2) |
R-1XS | 300** | 50 m2 (538 ft2) |
* SFD = Single Family Dwelling
** Lot must be at least 500 m2 in area to have a cottage
- Folr 'RE' zones in Rural areas, carriage houses have a maximum floor area of 90 m2.
- One additional off-street parking is required.
- In the ‘R’ zones, cottages must be 3 m from the rear lot line
- In the ‘RE’ zones, carriage houses or cottages must be 7.5 m from the rear lot line.
- Detached Accessory Dwellings cannot include any basement area.
- A cottage or carriage house may be sited within a building containing another accessory use, such as a storage shed or garage; however there can be no internal connection between the accessory use and dwelling unit, and each use shall have its’ own separate entrance.
- Secondary service connections from municipal systems are not permitted. Upgrades to the existing services may be required due to the increased demand, including to private septic systems or potable water supply. Confirmation of adequate services will be required as part of the Building Permit application.
The regulatory changes that would have the most immediate impact are:
- That all ‘R’ Residential zoned properties would not be permitted a 1-storey cottage as an alternative to a suite within the principal dwelling. The R-1Z zone is an exception, since suites are currently not permitted within the R-1Z zone. ‘R’ zones are located within the Urban Settlement Area Boundary and would capture most of our single-family dwelling neighbourhoods.
- That all ‘RE’ Rural Estate zoned properties would not be permitted a cottage or 2-storey carriage house as an alternative to a suite within the principal dwelling. The RE-5 zone is an exception since suites are currently not permitted within the RE-5 zone. ‘RE’ zones are on Rural lands located outside of the Urban Settlement Area Boundary.
Parking and traffic concerns are often raised when new developments are proposed, regardless if a variance to reduce parking is requested. Realizing this is a subject matter that needs to be looked at more closely, the OCP amendments include two new policies:
- Update the off-site servicing standards to include on-street parking as part of the frontage improvements, in balance with other priorities for use of the roadways such as sidewalks, street trees, and bike lanes.
- Consider establishing a Parking Fund to collect cash-in-lieu payments when a variance is granted, that would be used to improve public parking and alternative transit infrastructure.
Another project initiative currently underway in the District is the development of an Active Transportation Plan, which would help identify priority locations where pedestrian and cycling improvements are most needed, and where new pathways can improve connectivity throughout the District.
A challenge with tiny homes is that they are not addressed in the BC Building Code and they currently cannot meet code. Should there be provincial changes to the BC Building Code to address tiny homes, or if it can be shown they comply with BC Building Code, or an alternative health and safety standard, we would consider them as an alternative to a cottage or carriage house.
Tiny homes would need to be connected to water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage services. Like cottages, they would be regulated through a development permit process when they are within the Urban Settlement Area.
