Create or legalize a secondary suite

Steps to creating or legalizing a secondary suite

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  Step 1: Confirm if secondary suites are allowed in your area

  If your secondary suite is or will be located in a duplex or two-family dwelling:

  • Review the Zoning and Development By-law to confirm if secondary suites are allowed in your area

  Contact the Development and Building Services Centre if your zone's district schedule indicates two-family dwellings are not an approved use. You may still have options.

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  Step 2: Prepare plans, submit your permit application, and pay fees

  A. Get a special inspection if you have an existing suite (optional)

  We provide the optional service of a secondary suite inspection if you are legalizing an existing suite. You'll still need to contact a qualified design professional and/or contractor to prepare plans for your suite if a special inspection is completed.

  Fee

  • Special inspection fee: $270+ GST

  Book inspection

  To book a special inspection, you don't need to visit us. Request an inspection online, and we will contact you to explain the next steps.

  Register for an online account and submit your request

  B. Prepare your floor and site plans

  A development and building permit will be required to carry out upgrading work and formally change the use of your house to include a secondary suite.

  If your space is eligible to be used as a secondary suite, we recommend that you speak to a qualified design professional and/or contractor to prepare plans for your suite.

  You will need to provide:

  • Floor plans
  • Site plans

  Alert icon Your plans must be drawn to scale and clearly labelled.

  Alert icon During the permit application review, additional requirements may be requested on a case by case basis. 

  Review a sample of an acceptable drawing package PDF file (557 KB)

  Floor plan requirements

  Your floor plans must include the:

  • Location and dimensions of all rooms (bedrooms/kitchen/bathroom/living room, etc.), stairs, windows, doors, and all plumbing and gas fixtures in the suite
  • Suite’s ceiling height

  Alert icon Plans of the main house are not required to be submitted.

  Site plan requirements

  • Your site plans must include the:
    • Location and dimension of all on-site parking
    • Access path from the street to the suite entry and any protrusions encroaching onto the access path
    • Location of the lane and the street
    • Finished floor elevation (height of floor in relation to grade)
    • Grade level at the four corners of the site

  C. Submit application

  Note To have your application accepted, provide all of the required drawings, documents, and application form.

  1. Fill out a Development and Building Permit Application Form PDF file (196 KB)
  2. Fill out an Owner's Undertaking Letter PDF file   (533 KB)
  3. Include your floor and site plans

  Submit application package 

  Need assistance? Refer to the building permit online account guide PDF file (4 MB)

  D. Application intake and pay fees

  When your application is reviewed and accepted, you will receive an email notification that the permit application fees and deposits (if applicable) are ready to be paid. 

  How to pay fees

  • Online by credit card (Note Only the permit holder/applicant can make online payments toward a permit.)
  • In person at the Development and Building Services Centre, 515 W 10th Ave:
    • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
    • Tuesday and Thursday: 8:30am to 4pm
    • Closed on holidays
      Note There is a $200 maximum for cash payments.
  • By mail at:
    Development and Building Services Centre
    515 West 10th Avenue
    Vancouver, BC V5Z 4A8
    Note Make sure that the permit number is noted on the cheque and the payee is made out to "City of Vancouver".

  C. Application reviewed

  Following a detailed review of the submitted plans and documents by various staff teams, we will:

  • Ask additional questions, and/or
  • Provide you with a list of any conditions and items to be addressed before an updated permit can be issued

  D. Permit(s) approved

  Once your permit(s) is issued, you:

  • Will be notified by email with instructions to download and print your permit and approved drawings
  • Are able to begin the work defined in the permit

  Note One printed copy of the City-approved permit needs to be made available for viewing at the jobsite for City inspectors.

  Note One paper set of City-approved drawings (full-sized and to scale), displaying the City accepted stamp, needs to be made available for viewing at the jobsite for City inspectors. If the City accepted stamp is missing, or the paper set isn’t at the jobsite, you will be required to reschedule your inspection and may be subject to a re-inspection fee.

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  Step 3: Begin construction, get trade permits, and book inspections

  Once your building permit has been issued, you can begin work on your secondary suite, get the required trade permits, and book inspections.

  Alert icon If you need to make any change to the work approved in the permit, please contact the Development and Building Services Centre. Changes must be reflected on the approved plans and are subject to additional fees.

  A. Apply for trade permits

  Most house renovations will require separate trades permits. These are generally applied for by the contractor. 

  Get details about and apply for a:

  • Plumbing permit
  • Electrical permit
  • Fire sprinkler permit
  • Gas permit

  B. Request inspections

  All work completed will need to be inspected at various stages of construction. Your contractor can advise you when an inspection should be requested. 

  Alert icon  A secondary suite is not considered legal until the final inspection has been passed.

  Get more information and book an inspection

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  Step 4: Complete construction and determine if you need a business licence

  If the work meets all requirements, your suite will be approved. 

  • You DO NOT need a business licence, if your family (parents, children, etc.) will be living in the suite
  • You DO need a business licence, if you intend to rent out your suite long-term

  Alert icon Unless you are the principal resident living in the suite (not the main house), you cannot use your secondary suite as a short-term rental. 

  ​How to get a business licence

Steps to submitting an amendment to an issued building permit

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  Step 1: Submit building permit amendment request

  A. Fill out your amendment request form

  Refer to the amendment request form PDF file (48 KB) to find out what information to include with your amendment request.

  B. Submit your request

  1. Log into your online account.
  2. Select the permit you want to submit an amendment for.
  3. Select the "Request Amendment" as the next action on the permit overview page.
  4. Provide a detailed description of the amendment request and uploading any supporting documents, including your amendment request form.

  Need assistance? Refer to the building permit online account guide PDF file (3 MB)

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  Step 2: Request is reviewed and next steps provided

  Following a detailed review of the amendment request, we will:

  • Ask additional questions, and/or
  • Provide a list of any conditions and items to be addressed before an updated permit can be issued

  When all conditions have been met, you'll receive notification that the amendment fees are ready to be paid.

  How to pay fees

  • Online by credit card (Note Only the permit holder/applicant can make online payments toward a permit.)
  • In person at the Development and Building Services Centre, 515 W 10th Ave:
    • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
    • Tuesday and Thursday: 8:30am to 4pm
    • Closed on holidays
      Note There is a $200 maximum for cash payments.
  • By mail at:
    Development and Building Services Centre
    515 West 10th Avenue
    Vancouver, BC V5Z 4A8
    Note Make sure that the permit number is noted on the cheque and the payee is made out to "City of Vancouver".

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