In 2019, the BC Building Code was amended to remove floor area restrictions on secondary suite (e.g. 90 m² or 40% of the habitable space of the building).  The intent of this change was to “to remove barriers to the creation of more affordable housing.”

The 2019 BC Building Code changes also expanded the forms of dwellings which a secondary suite could be constructed within to include side-by-side duplexes and row homes. Prior to these changes, secondary suites could only be constructed within single detached dwellings.

This project seeks to update zoning regulations pertaining to secondary suites as part of the Regional District's work to modernize its development approvals process, reduce administrative burdens, provide greater flexibility to home owners, increase housing availability and provide support for multi-generational housing.

Under the Okanagan Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 2800, 2022, secondary suites are permitted as an accessory use within most low density residential zones, with the exception of the Low Density Residential West Bench (RS5) and Small Holdings West Bench (SH5) Zones within the Greater West Bench, and the Low Density Residential Manufactured Home Park (RSM1) Zone.

The Zoning Bylaw also sets out various regulations pertaining to the siting and size of secondary suites, and establishes maximum density allowances per zone.

Siting Requirement: Secondary suites are only permitted within a single detached dwelling.

Floor Area Allowance: Secondary suites can only be built to a maximum floor area of 125 m².

Density Allowance: On parcels greater than 1.0 hectare in area, the maximum density of accessory dwelling units is generally limited to either one secondary suite or one accessory dwelling.

Amendment Bylaw No. 2800.59, 2026 proposes a number of changes to the secondary suite regulations under Okanagan Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 2800, 2022, including the following:

Siting Requirement: It is being proposed to permit secondary suites in single detached dwellings and duplex dwellings.

Floor Area Allowance: It is being proposed to remove the 125 m² floor area cap (i.e., no restrictions on floor area).

Density Allowance: It is being proposed that the maximum number of dwellings per parcel be:

• Resource Area (RA), Agriculture (AG1, AG2, AG3), and Large Holdings (LH1, LH2) Zones: one principal dwelling unit, one secondary suite, and, depending on parcel size, up to four accessory dwellings*;
• Small Holdings Three and Four (SH3, SH4): one principal dwelling unit, one secondary suite, and one accessory dwelling*;
• Low Density Residential Duplex and Low Density Residential Apex (RD1, RD2) Zones: two principal dwelling units provided they are within one residential building (i.e., a duplex), and one secondary suite per single detached dwelling/duplex dwelling.

(NOTE: Accessory dwellings are only permitted on parcels greater than 1.0 ha in area, unless connected to a community sewer system)