Vancouver 
City of 		 West Vancouver 
District of 		 Whistler 
Resort Municipality of 
Bylaw or Policy Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1997, No. 3575  Secondary Suites Program Information  Secondary Suite Inspection Fee Byalw, 1989, No.  6553  Zoning Bylaw, 1968, 2000  Secondary Suite Program  Zoning and parking Bylaw, 1983, No. 303
"Suite" Defined  (What term is used)  Secondary Suite Secondary Suite Auxiliary Residential Dwelling Unit
Zoning (Which zoning areas allow suites)  Secondary Suites are permitted in all single-family and multi-family areas. In 2009, zoning  changes were approved for secondary suites within apartments in major commercial areas, the Downtown and South East False Creek. Laneway housing: In 2009 laneway housing in single-family areas Single and multi-family  residential zone  Single-Family Residential;  Rural Resource; Tourist Pension  (Bed & Breakfast); and Institutional (Church) Zones 
Type of Suite A suite is a dwelling other than the proncipal dwelling, located in single detached, attached, duplex and condominiums; laneway housing in  single family areas  A dwelling unit accessory to a single-family or two-family dwelling  In the Rural Resource and Tourist  Pension Zones: the dwelling unit must be  contained within a principal residential  building.In the Residential and Institutional Zones the dwelling unit can be in either the principal building or an auxiliary building.
Number of Suites Allowed Allowed to have 1 suite in every detached single family home  Not more than 1 in-law suite shall be  permitted in any  single family dwelling   
Size of Suite Minimum 400 sq. ft. and maximum 1,000 sq ft, not to exceed 30% of the gross floor area of the dwelling.  Minimum floor area of 20m2 and a maximum of either 90m2 or 40% of  the total floor area of the building, excluding garage space, whichever is less.  90 m2 maximum
Who can Occupy the Suite  (Are there restrictions on who can occupy a suite)       
Owner Occupation (Is the owner required to occupy either the principal building or the  suite)    The principal dwelling unit shall be occupied by the owner   
Number of Occupants Allowed  (Is there a maximum set)       
Parking Requirements  (Additional off-street parking for  the suite)  Homes built before April 20, 2004: 1 on-site  parking space. Homes built on/after April 20, 2004: 2 on-site parking spaces (one for primary dwelling and one for suite)  1 additional off-street parking space required  1 off-street parking space required per dwelling unit 
Suites in New vs Existing Homes  (Policies that set different  requirements for new vs. existing  suites - view policies on local government websites)       
Fees (Registration, inspection, building permit and other fees for suites)  2011 Fees: One time inspection and permit fees as follows: Special Inspection $152 (plus HST); Combined Development & Building Permit from $648; Electrical Permit from $57; Plumbing Permit from $142; Gas Permit from $149. Annual Business License $60; One-time fee for new applications $50; Additional fees Water $165; Sewer $87; Recycling $23 $400 application fee; $350 annual renewal fee  $750 development permit fee
Notes $152 for a special inspection of a suite within 60 days of the notification date; $456 for a special inspection after 60 days from the notification date. A special inspection is required to determine what needs to be upgraded in a secondary suite. Secondary Suites FAQs  
Compiled by Harriet Permut, Manager, Government Relations Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

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