Secondary Suite Program

Everything you need to know about secondary suites, their benefits and how to build and maintain one

A secondary suite is an accessory dwelling unit fully contained within a primary dwelling unit.

Secondary suites provide several benefits, including acting as a mortgage helper, increasing the value of your home, facilitating aging in place, offering affordable housing and more.

Apply for a secondary suite

If you want to install a secondary suite or legalize an existing secondary suite in an existing single-family home, you must:

  • Meet the zoning conditions: you can only have a secondary suite within single-family dwellings in the following zones: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R9, R10, R11, R12, A1, A2, A3, and RM6. Find out if your property qualifies.
  • Meet the BC Building Code requirements.
  • Have the necessary building and sub-trade permits.
  • Get all the inspections done.
  • Fill out a supplementary utility fee declaration and email it to [email protected].
  • If the suite is rented out, a supplementary utility fee for water and sewer will be charged on the utility notice.
  • Obtain a business license if renting but not living on the property.

If you want to install a secondary suite or legalize an existing secondary suite in an existing two-family home, you must: 

  • Meet the zoning conditions: you can only add secondary suites to an existing two-family home in the following zones: R4, R5, R12 or RM6. Find out if your property qualifies.
    • The existing two-family home must be a “semi-detached” home. This means a two-family home where the 2 units are placed side-by-side or front-to-back on a lot. The BC Building code does not permit secondary suites in up/down duplexes (where the units are placed one above the other).
  • Meet the BC Building Code requirements.
  • Have the necessary building and sub-trade permits.
  • Get all the inspections done.
  • Fill out a supplementary utility fee declaration and email it to [email protected].
  • If the suite is rented out, a supplementary utility fee for water and sewer will be charged on the utility notice.
  • Obtain a business license if renting but not living on the property.

The property must also be on one of the following:

  • on a lane with vehicular access
  • on a corner lot with vehicular access from the street abutting the side lot line
  • on a ‘through’ lot (a lot with a road at the front and back)
  • Note: Vehicular access on corner lots and through lots will be subject to approval from the Director of Engineering.

If you are building a new single-family or two-family home and you will be adding suites, please follow the steps outlined on our New Home Construction webpage. 

Secondary suites are permitted in two-family homes as of September 18, 2023. If you are planning to build a two-family home with secondary suites please read the following information before you start:

To construct a new two-family home with secondary suites, please follow the steps outlined on our New Home Construction webpage. 

Do you rent out any part of your property?

If you're a resident who owns a single or two-family home in Burnaby, you must complete a Supplementary Utility Fees Declaration to state whether or not you're renting out your home or any suite on your property. If you haven't completed your form, are a new owner, or there's been a change in the rental status of your property, you must complete a declaration within 30 days of the change. 

Send your form to [email protected].

If you're renting an unregistered secondary suite, you may have to pay a $1,000 fine under the Burnaby Waterworks Regulation Bylaw and the Burnaby Sewer Charge Bylaw.

The penalty may be issued for any of the following:

  1. failing to submit a declaration
  2. failing to submit an additional declaration within 30 days following a change in the rental status of a suite
  3. submitting a false or inaccurate declaration

As a property owner, you must also submit the supplementary utility fees declaration form if one (or more) of the following conditions apply:

  • no previous declaration form was submitted
  • there's a change in property ownership
  • the rental status of the property has changed

Review our Residential Utility Fees page to learn more.

Questions and answers

In a semi-detached home, the residences are placed side-by-side (or front-to-back), whereas in a duplex, they are placed one on top of the other.

For fire safety purposes the BC Building Code does not permit secondary suites in duplex homes where one unit is on top of the other. Secondary suites are only allowed in semi-detached homes.

Secondary suites are permitted in semi-detached homes, where one unit is placed in front of the other (or side-by-side), assuming it is on an eligible lot. The key requirement is that both units are accessed from ground level.

Yes, you will need a building permit to ensure that the secondary suite meets building code standards. View information on BC Building Code requirements for secondary suites.

If the existing permit is for a two-family dwelling, you can revise your existing permit.

If the existing permit is for a single family dwelling, the permit will have to be cancelled and you will need to re-apply for a new building permit. The application fee is non-refundable; any additional fees that have been paid will be refunded as per the City’s Fee Bylaw.

Yes, if your lot is eligible for a semi-detached home with suites, you may build a two storey home plus a basement suite or ground level suite in each unit. 

A ground level suite is a secondary suite that meets the SAFERhomes Standards Society universal design standard. Ground level suites provide more livable rental housing; housing that can be easily adapted to support people’s changing needs as they age.

If you include ground level suites in a semi-detached home you will be permitted additional height for the building (up to 10.5m (34.4 ft)) to build the suites at ground level and support an accessible path to the front door. A semi-detached home with ground level suites can be up to 3 storeys high (this includes the ground level suites with 2 storeys above). The floor area for the suites will be excluded from the overall floor area calculation.

Ground level suites must meet the building standard set out by the SAFERhome Standards Society. Additional information on the building form and floor area for semi-detached homes with ground level suites can be found in the how-to guide for suites in semi-detached homes below.

Have questions? Contact us:

Supplementary utility fees and declarations - tax office

Phone: 604-294-7350
Email: [email protected]

Building General Inquiries

Was this page useful?