Secondary Dwelling Units

Below is some general information about the addition for secondary / accessory dwelling units.

• The Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing” for Secondary Dwelling Units guide outlines the requirements for a secondary dwelling unit. 

Building Permit Information

• You may need to contact a BCIN Designer or Architect / Engineer to assist with the required documents & drawings to obtain a Building Permit.
• You will need to complete a building permit application
• You may need a Letter of Authorization. (If Required)  
• You will need a Plumbing Permit Application (To be filled out by the licensed plumber)
• You will need a site plan drawing showing and confirming the parking requirements outlined below. 
• You will need several drawings including proposed floor plans, building elevations & sections / details for the fire separations. (Your designer will be able to provide these required drawings)
• Depending on the method of Heating & Cooling (HVAC) we may require duct design layouts or a letter confirming the existing HVAC system is sufficient for the added area from an HRAI Qualified HVAC Designer.
• If one furnace is to serve both dwellings, you may require an inline duct smoke detector. (Discuss with your HVAC Contractor)

Planning / Zoning Information

• To qualify as accessory dwelling units / Secondary Dwelling Units, each accessory dwelling unit must be less than 40% of the area of the principal dwelling (which would not include any unfinished basement areas or garage);

• Required parking minimums are 2 parking spaces for the main detached dwelling unit, plus one space for each accessory dwelling unit.

• Additional provisions including setbacks to lot lines and rules for accessory dwelling units can be found in the following sections of the zoning by-law:
  • “6.5 Residential One” – setbacks to lot liens, maximum height, etc.
  • “6.3.1 Secondary dwelling units” – provisions specific to the accessory dwelling units and section 6.4.2 to 6.4.4 which relate to permitted locations and required dimensions for parking.
  • The minimum required parking is set out in section 5.3.

• The zoning by-law is available online here.

Development Charges

•  If the units proposed adhere to the provision for accessory dwelling units, they are exempt from development charges.
• If you want to do the accessory dwelling unit(s) as a larger unit, we can discuss the applicable provisions and development charges.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the building department.