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BC local reference

British Columbia: secondary suites and ADUs need two rule checks.

Use the provincial framework, then the local zoning and permit route for each property. Browse 72 municipality guides.

Jump to a local guide

Major city suite and ADU rules

Select the actual municipality for the property. Provincial rules alone do not confirm a project can proceed.

Interactive property lookup

Enter your address and see what your property may allow.

Select a B.C. property to check the parcel, available zoning and suite-planning data.

Enter a house number and street name to see matching B.C. addresses.

No sign-up, name, phone number or email required.

Can’t find your address?

Use the manual property check below.

Start with the municipality and parcel area. The manual check stays open here, but the questions are split into 4 short steps so you do not have to scroll through everything at once.

Manual property check

Check the lot using what you know.

Four short steps. Answer what you know and choose “Not sure” for anything you have not checked.

Step 1 of 4Property basics
Step 1: Property basics

Use the parcel area from your property record, assessment or municipal mapping tool.

This does not change the provincial unit-count math. It only tailors the next-step checklist in your result.

Step 2: Basic zoning checks

If you do not know the zoning, choose Not sure.

What does this mean?

If you have never checked this on a municipal map or plan, choose Not sure.

Why are we asking?

Think houses, duplexes or small multiplexes. If you only know the zone code, choose Not sure.

Step 3: Possible exceptions

This is about subdivision rules, not the size of your current lot. Choose Not sure unless you know.

A TOA is a special mapped area around major transit. If you have never checked the map, choose Not sure.

Choose Yes only if the municipality has specifically confirmed it. Otherwise choose Not sure.

Step 4: Frequent bus check

If you have not checked an official map, choose Not sure.

Private by default: the calculation runs in your browser. No name, phone number or email is required.

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Provincial starting point

Province-level minimums

B.C.: province-level housing minimums plus local site rules.

Secondary suite / ADU layer: in single-family residential zones where the 3–6-unit rules are not required, the Province says secondary suites and/or accessory dwelling units must be allowed province-wide, subject to the legislation, exemptions, local site standards, building code and permits.

3 / 4 / 6-unit SSMUH layer: qualifying restricted zones in the statutory urban/population area must permit at least 3 units on parcels up to 280 m², 4 on parcels over 280 m², and 6 on qualifying parcels at least 281 m² within 400 m of a prescribed frequent bus stop. Bill 25 expanded and clarified the restricted-zone definition; local-government bylaw compliance for those amendments is due June 30, 2026 unless an extension applies.

A designated transit-oriented area is a separate framework: the 3/4 and 6-unit SSMUH provisions do not apply there. Heritage, hazard, servicing, large-lot and other statutory exemptions can also change the result.

B.C. SSMUH overview ↗Local Government Act ss. 481.3–481.4 ↗B.C. Reg. 262/2023 ↗

Provincial framework reviewed September 20, 2026. Use the local city guide for the property-level zoning and permit route.

AbbotsfordDedicated property guideAnmoreDedicated property guideArmstrongMunicipal guideBarriereResearch in progress — verify locallyBelcarraDedicated property guideBowen IslandDedicated property guideBurnabyDedicated property guideCampbell RiverDedicated property guideCastlegarResearch in progress — verify locallyCentral SaanichResearch in progress — verify locallyChaseResearch in progress — verify locallyChilliwackDedicated property guideCity of North VancouverDedicated property guideColdstreamResearch in progress — verify locallyColwoodResearch in progress — verify locallyComoxResearch in progress — verify locallyCoquitlamDedicated property guideCourtenayDedicated property guideCranbrookResearch in progress — verify locallyCrestonResearch in progress — verify locallyCumberlandResearch in progress — verify locallyDawson CreekResearch in progress — verify locallyDeltaDedicated property guideDistrict of North VancouverDedicated property guideDuncanResearch in progress — verify locallyElkfordResearch in progress — verify locallyEsquimaltResearch in progress — verify locallyFernieResearch in progress — verify locallyFort St. JamesResearch in progress — verify locallyFort St. JohnResearch in progress — verify locallyFraser Valley Regional DistrictDedicated property guideGibsonsResearch in progress — verify locallyGoldenResearch in progress — verify locallyHarrison Hot SpringsDedicated property guideHopeDedicated property guideKamloopsDedicated property guideKelownaDedicated property guideKentDedicated property guideLadysmithResearch in progress — verify locallyLake CountryResearch in progress — verify locallyLangleyDedicated property guideLions BayDedicated property guideMaple RidgeDedicated property guideMissionDedicated property guideNanaimoDedicated property guideNelsonResearch in progress — verify locallyNew WestminsterDedicated property guideNorth VancouverResearch in progress — verify locallyOak BayResearch in progress — verify locallyParksvilleResearch in progress — verify locallyPentictonDedicated property guidePitt MeadowsDedicated property guidePort CoquitlamDedicated property guidePort MoodyDedicated property guidePowell RiverResearch in progress — verify locallyPrince GeorgeDedicated property guideQualicum BeachResearch in progress — verify locallyRevelstokeResearch in progress — verify locallyRichmondDedicated property guideSaanichDedicated property guideSalmon ArmResearch in progress — verify locallySecheltResearch in progress — verify locallySookeResearch in progress — verify locallySquamishDedicated property guideSurreyDedicated property guideTerraceResearch in progress — verify locallyTownship of LangleyDedicated property guideVancouverDedicated property guideVernonDedicated property guideVictoriaDedicated property guideWest VancouverDedicated property guideWhite RockDedicated property guide
BC lot-density tool: use the 3 / 4 / 6-unit SSMUH checker to understand the provincial baseline before opening the municipal city guide.