As an alternative to a secondary suite within the main house, most residential "R" and "RE" zones are allowed to apply to construct either a 1-storey cottage or a 2-storey carriage house (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit) under the regulations of Land Use Bylaw 2072 and the guidelines for Intensive Residential Development in Official Community Plan 1600.
What can they be used for?
- Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted for family members, caregivers, caretakers, employees, or long-term 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.
Accessory Dwelling Units general regulations:
- Only 1 is permitted on a lot: a suite, a cottage, or a carriage house.
- Accessory Dwelling Units are not allowed on properties containing a duplex and are not allowed on a panhandle lot within the Urban Settlement Area.
- One additional off-street parking spot is required and is to be energized for a future E.V. charging station.
- Detached Accessory Dwelling Units cannot have a basement area.
- 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.
"R" ZONED PROPERTIES
For all ‘R’ Residential zoned properties, which are within the Urban Settlement Boundary (as shown on Schedule 'A' in the Official Community Plan), the regulations allow for a 1-storey cottage (Detached Accessory Building) as an alternative to a suite within the principal dwelling.
A lot must be 400m2 (4,305 s.f.) or larger to have a suite, or 500m2 (5,381 s.f.) to have a cottage
Prior to issuance of a building permit:
- An Intensive Residential Infill Development Permit is required through the Planning Department (see OCP Guidelines 11.10.7 )
- A Covenant is required to be registered on the Land Title that would:
- 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
The size of a permitted cottage varies by "R" zone per the table below:
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
"RE" ZONED PROPERTIES
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 (both called Detached Accessory Dwellling Units) as an alternative to a suite within a principal dwelling.
The maximum floor area for a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit is is 90m2 which includes attached carport or garage.
Prior to issuance of a building permit, a Covenant is required to be registered on the Land Title that would:
- 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 employ.
For sample layouts see Official Community Plan 1600 Section 11.10.7
If you are interested in building an Accessory Dwelling Unit email planning@csaanich.ca with the property address and any existing information you have regarding lot size, lot coverage, and protected trees.
The regulatory changes that would have the most immediate impact are that:
- all ‘R’ Residential zoned properties are now allowed to apply to build 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 are now allowed to apply to construct a cottage or 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 that 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.