Secondary suite
- Secondary suites are generally permitted in R-I, RM-1, RM-2, CD-1A1, CD-1A2, CD-1A3, LS-R, RU-1, RU-2 and RU-3, subject to the complete Zoning Bylaw.
- A valid building permit is required for a secondary suite to be considered legal.
Campbell River, BC suite & ADU rules
Permission first. Construction second.
Campbell River’s dedicated suite guidance says many residential properties can accommodate secondary suites following provincial housing changes, but a building permit is still required. Zoning and the city’s mapping tools determine whether the specific property works.
Main home
Secondary / ADU
One property · more than one approval layerInteractive 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.
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.
Can you build here?
What to verify before building in Campbell River.
This is the simple build-direction summary. The exact property still has to meet its zoning, site, servicing and permit requirements.
Internal additional unitConditional — verify
Detached garden / backyard unitUse BC property check
DuplexUse BC property check
TriplexUse BC property check
FourplexUse BC property check
Before you build: confirm the exact property, zoning and permit path with Campbell River.
Municipal rules · reviewed September 20, 2026
Campbell River: secondary suite and detached ADU rules
Campbell River’s June 2024 zoning changes created the R-I Residential Infill zone and changed both unit counts and parking. The page now uses those current rules instead of older single-family zoning assumptions.
Garden / carriage / detached ADU
- Additional detached dwelling forms are permitted only where the applicable zone allows them; the current R-I zone is framed around total dwelling units rather than a universal “garden-suite” size cap.
- For rural and limited-service zones, use the specific zone because SSMUH permissions and servicing conditions differ from R-I.
Parking, size & site limits
- R-I lot size: minimum 350 m² with 10 m minimum frontage.
- R-I coverage: maximum building lot coverage 50%; maximum impermeable surface coverage 70%.
- Parking: current rules for 1–4 dwelling units require 1 stall per dwelling unit.
- Height: R-I uses a 10 m / 3-storey maximum, whichever is less.
Campbell River suite / ADU FAQ
Do I need a permit?
Yes. A new secondary suite or detached dwelling needs the applicable Campbell River approvals and building permit before construction/occupancy. Existing work may require a legalization or existing-building review rather than simply a new-build permit.
Can I rent the unit?
A permitted suite can be rented as a dwelling. The City distinguishes residential suites from short-term accommodation/business-licence uses, so verify the intended rental use separately.
Is an old or “grandfathered” suite automatically legal?
No. Age or long-standing occupancy does not by itself prove municipal approval. Check Campbell River permit/property records and, where relevant, whether a lawful non-conforming status actually exists before describing a suite as “grandfathered.”
Can I have both an internal suite and a detached ADU?
Potentially, if the total number and form of dwelling units comply with the applicable zone. Do not use the presence of a suite as proof that a detached unit is also allowed.
Optional project planning
After the rule check: budget and contractor scope
Use these tools only after confirming the municipal path. Cost planning and contractor matching do not establish zoning, code compliance or permit approval.
1 · BudgetEstimate renovation costs in Campbell RiverOpen Home Cost Canada’s national calculators, then choose the closest available market and adjust the project scope.Open cost planner →2 · ContractorFind a local BC contractorBC Quote is a separate contractor-matching service. Use it after the zoning and permit path are understood.Start contractor match →
Current municipal rule checkpoint
Campbell River says its June 2024 zoning update replaced several earlier zones with the Residential Infill (R-I) zone, which can allow three or four dwelling units per lot where requirements are met. Other zones have separate secondary-suite provisions. The municipality also publishes an interactive zoning map and permit information; the R-I rule cannot be assumed for every parcel.
Source review: October 9, 2026. This is an informational bylaw checkpoint, not a parcel-specific approval. Verify enacted amendments, zone maps, registered title constraints, servicing and permits with the municipality.
How this guide was verified
Guide verification: Targeted official-source check (12 October 2026). The key claim below was compared with a linked primary municipal source; this is not a complete up-to-date bylaw, zoning-map or parcel approval review.
Property confidence: Not assessed. City-wide guidance does not confirm permission for a particular parcel. Check official zoning, overlays and permits. How verification works →
Official Campbell River sources
Campbell River residential & rental zoning ↗Campbell River secondary suites ↗B.C. Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing ↗
Reviewed September 20, 2026. This is a planning summary, not a permit decision. Confirm the current zoning, registered title constraints, servicing and permit requirements for the specific property before design or construction.
Primary-source check · 12 October 2026: R-I replaced specified zones June 2024; 3/4-unit zoning framework; other zones allow suites with building permit. Official evidence ↗ Verification limit: Current map and latest Zoning Bylaw 3250 amendments not fully cross-checked for any parcel.