Garden Suites

A garden suite is a legal, detached building designed to be a ground-oriented suite in the backyard of a single-family home. Garden suites can be used for family or as long-term rental units but cannot be used for short-term rentals (i.e., Airbnb, VRBO, etc.), nor strata titled.

Renderings of Garden Suites

Eligibility

Garden suites are permitted on all properties that allow a single-family detached dwelling, and that are appropriately zoned. Please review the Town's Zoning Map to confirm the zoning of a property and review the Town’s Zoning Bylaw to confirm if the identified zone permits a garden suite.

A property that has a single-family dwelling with a secondary suite may also have a garden suite on the same lot. Property owners may convert an existing accessory building into a garden suite or construct a new building.

A garden suite must comply with the form and character design guidelines for Intensive Residential - Garden Suite Development Permit Area contained in the Official Community Plan, Schedule D: Garden Suite Regulations in the Zoning Bylaw, and the British Columbia Building Code.

How to Apply

To build a garden suite, please review the relevant policies and guidelines. A development permit and building permit are required.

The process is as follows:

  1. Review the Town’s Zoning Map and Zoning Bylaw to confirm if your property is zoned for a garden suite. If you are unsure if your property is eligible, please contact the Development Services Department at planning@viewroyal.ca.
  2. Review the Intensive Residential – Garden Suite Development Permit Area Design Guidelines in the Official Community Plan (pg. 150) and Schedule D: Garden Suite Regulations in the Zoning Bylaw (pg. 174).
  3. Confirm if your property is within the Natural Watercourse and Shoreline and/or Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystems Development Permit Areas in Schedule Q of the Official Community Plan (pg. 192).
  4. Consider how your garden suite will be serviced. This information will be required at the building permit stage.
  5. Confirm that your proposal is compliant with the Tree Protection Bylaw. If the garden suite or servicing requirements impact trees, you will need a tree permit and arborist report prepared by a certified arborist.
  6. Once you have completed all required items submit a Development Permit Application for a garden suite.
    • Submissions are made to planning@viewroyal.ca or in-person.
    • Payment must be made in-person (cheque, cash, or debit).
    • The Development Permit Application fee is $550.00. If a variance is required, then the application fee increases to $750.00.
  7. Staff will complete a comprehensive review of your application against the applicable design guidelines and zoning regulations. This may require a site visit to your property. Once staff's review of the application is complete, staff will provide comments. If necessary, revisions may be required. If a variance is required, staff must refer the application to Council for their review and approval.
  8. Once staff have approved the delegated development permit, please contact Building Services at buildingpermits@viewroyal.ca if you have any questions or need help with submitting a building permit application.

Upon obtaining your development permit and building permit you are ready to build!

Resources 

Example Site Plan