Building a NEW Secondary Suite Are you thinking of a new Secondary Suite in your ? The new 2016 Zoning Bylaw provides more flexibility in regards to the construction of secondary suites in certain zones and with conditions.

What are Secondary Suites?  A secondary suite is dwelling unit within building of single family dwelling use and occupancy that contains only one other dwelling unit.  With regard to on-site parking the property owner has a choice to provide a least one onsite parking spot exclusively for the residents of the Suite OR can pay the cash-in-lieu amount.  Building a new secondary suite requires Building and Permits.

What additional Village fees will I incur? In the Village of Cumberland water is metered to the property (not to the individual units), so water costs will increase with the increased water usage. Sanitary sewer and garbage pickup is charged for each dwelling unit on the property, so these charges will double with the construction of a second unit. The new Zoning Bylaw provides flexibility for meeting any additional on-site parking requirements required for a new secondary suite. If the parking stall cannot be accommodated Plumbing: A separate Plumbing Permit may be required if it appears onsite, the owner will pay the cash-in-lieu amount of $3,800. that modifications have been made to facilitate a secondary suite. Note: All Where are Secondary Suites permitted? plumbing must conform to the Secondary Suites are permitted in the following zones: current BC Plumbing Code.  R-1...... Standard Residential Zone (Section 7.1)  R-1A ...... Infill Residential Zone (Section 7.2)  R-2 ...... Small Lot Residential Zone (Section 7.3)  R-3 ...... Large Lot Residential Zone (Section 7.4)  R-4 ...... Carlisle Lane Zone (Section 7.5)  MU-1 ...... Mixed Use Residential Zone (Section 7.10)  RU-1 ...... Rural Zone (Section 8.1)  IMU-3 ...... Interchange Mixed Use Three (Section 12.3)  IHR-1 ...... Interchange Highway Residential One (Section 12.7)  ICR-1 ...... Interchange Comprehensive Residential (Section 12.9)

Wood Stoves/ Inserts: Where existing woodstoves/inserts have not been installed and approved under a building permit, they must be WETT (Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc) certified or removed.

Regulations from Bylaw No. 1027, 2016 Secondary Suite means a separate dwelling unit located within a building of residential use and occupancy containing only one other dwelling unit and located in and part of a building which is a single real estate entity, established and operating in accordance with Section 4.10 (below) a) Secondary suites may only be located within a single family dwelling. b) Unless a Zone specifically provides for otherwise, only one secondary suite is permitted per lot. c) Where a lot is not serviced by the Village’s sanitary sewer system, written confirmation from the applicable licensing body that the capacity of the lot’s sewer system will not be compromised by the presence of a secondary suite is required. d) Secondary Suites must have a total GFA of not more than 90.0square metres (968.8square feet). For the purposes of this section, GFA does not include areas used for common storage, common laundry facilities, or common areas used for egress. e) Secondary Suites must have a GFA of less than 40% of the GFA of the residence. For the purposes of this section, GFA calculation does not include attached garages). f) Secondary Suites cannot be subdivided from the building of which it is part under the Strata Property Act.

Floor Area, Gross means the sum of all of a building, as measured to the interior , or (GFA) to the centre line of the common walls, as calculated in accordance with Section 3.7. means a separate dwelling unit located within a building of residential use and occupancy containing only one other dwelling unit and located in and part of a Secondary Suite building which is a single real estate entity, established and operating in accordance with Section 4.10,

Single Family means a residential use building that contains only one principal dwelling unit. Dwelling

Building Permit Process for NEW Secondary Suites

1. Apply for a Building & Plumbing Permits Homeowner applies for Building & Plumbing Permits to build a secondary suite. (Applicant discusses process with staff to receive initial clarification if needed). Application forms for Permits are available at the office and online. The application fee (non-refundable) is based upon the estimated cost of construction and would typically be between $50 and $250. Plumbing Permit applications for this type of construction are $50 each.

2. Review of Application The Building Inspector receives the application and plans and discusses with the applicant what more may be needed. Once the plans are satisfactory, the Building Inspector issues the Permit. Permit fees are based upon estimated cost of construction and would typically be between $50 and $250 with a $250 damage deposit (which is refundable).

3. Building Inspection New builds must have their first inspection within six months AND the Permits expire after two years. Each Permit may be extended one time for an additional year, but the extension must be requested BEFORE the Permit expires.

Section 9.36 Secondary Suites Excerpt from BC

9.36.1 General Building Code 2012

9.36.1.1 Application 1) This Section applies to the construction of a secondary suite and the alterations to an existing building to accommodate a secondary suite. (See Appendix A.) 9.36.1.2 Construction Requirements 1) The construction of a secondary suite or those alterations to an existing building to accommodate a secondary suite shall conform to the requirements in this Part except as provided in this Section. (See Appendix A.)

9.36.2. Specific Requirements

9.36.2.1 Heights of or Spaces 1) The minimum height of rooms or spaces in a secondary suite over the required minimum area as indicated in Table 9.5.3.1 shall be not less than 2.0metres (6.6feet). 2) It shall be possible to travel from the required area of one to the required areas of all other rooms within a secondary suite without reduction of the room height as required in Sentence (1).

9.36.2.2 Solid Blocking 1) Solid blocking may be omitted for described in Sentence 9.7.5.2(9) where the interior finish adjacent the is in place prior to the construction of a secondary suite.

9.36.2.3 Exit 1) Exit stairs within or serving a building that contains a secondary suite shall have a minimum width, measured between wall faces or guards, of not less than 860millimetres (2.8feet). (See Appendix A.)

9.36.2.4 Dimensions of Landings Excerpt from BC 1) Landings for exterior stairs serving both suites in a building containing a secondary suite need not Building Code 2012 exceed 900millimetres (3.0feet) in length.

9.36.2.5 Handrails and Guards 1) Handrails and guards shall conform to the requirements of Subsections 9.8.7 and 9.8.8 as if serving only one dwelling unit.

9.36.2.6 Means of Egress 1) The width of every public corridor and exit corridor that serves a building that contains a secondary suite shall be not less than 860millimetres (2.8feet). (See Appendix A.)

9.36.2.7 Fire Separations for Exits 1) Except as permitted in Sentence (2), every exit other than an exit doorway shall be separated from adjacent areas by fire separation: a) having afire resistance rating of 45minutes, or b) having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 30minutes where the dwelling units are equipped with smoke alarms as referenced in Article 9.36.2.19. 2) A fire resistance rating is not required for fire separation that separates an exit from adjacent floor areas where the building is sprinklered.

9.36.2.8 Openings Near Unenclosed Exit Stairs and Ramps 1) Where an unenclosed exterior exit stair or ramp provides the only means of egress from a dwelling unit in a building that contains a secondary suite and the stair is exposed to the hazards of fire from unprotected openings in the exterior wall of another fire compartment, the openings shall be protected in conformance with Articles 9.10.13.5 to 9.10.13.7 (See Appendix A.)

9.36.2.9 Doors in a Means of Egress 1) Every exit door or door that opens into or is located within a public corridor or other facility that provides access to exit from a suite shall: a) be not less than 1,980millimetres (6.5feet) high, b) have a clear opening width of not less than 800millimetres (2.6feet), and c) be permitted to swing inward.

9.36.2.10 Travel Limit to Exits or Egress Doors 1) In a building that contains a secondary suite, the travel limit from a floor level in a dwelling unit to an exit or egress door may exceed 1 storey provided the floor level within the dwelling unit is served by an operable conforming to Article 9.9.10.1.

9.36.2.11 Shared Egress Facilities 1) Except as provided in Article 9.9.7.3, where Excerpt from BC an egress door from a dwelling unit opens onto a public corridor or exterior passageway Building Code 2012 it shall be possible from the location where the egress door opens onto the public corridor or exterior passageway to go in opposite directions to 2 separate exits unless the dwelling unit is served by a second and separate means of egress or an opening window conforming to Article 9.9.10.1. 2) Each dwelling unit shall be provided with a second and separate means of egress or an opening window conforming to Article 9.9.10.1 where the egress door from either dwelling unit opens onto a) an exit stairway which serves both suites: a) a public corridor serving both suites and served by a single exit stairway, b) an exterior passageway serving both suites and served by a single exit stairway, or c) a serving both suites and served by a single exit stairway.

9.36.2.12 Exit Signs 1) Exit signs are not required within a building that contains a secondary suite.

9.36.2.13 Structural Fire Resistance 1) Table 9.10.8.1, Required Fire-Resistance Ratings for Structural Members and Assemblies, does not apply to a building which contains a secondary suite.

9.36.2.14 Combustible Drain, Waste and Vent Piping 1) Combustible drain, waste and vent piping is permitted to be located within or penetrate a fire separation required to have a fire-resistance rating provided: a) except for the permitted penetration in Clause (b), the combustible piping is located within an assembly protected by a membrane of a minimum 12.7millimetres (½inch) gypsum board b) the permitted penetration through the gypsum board membrane is limited to a size of the diameter of the penetrating pipe, and c) the combustible piping does not penetrate the gypsum board protection membrane on the underside of a horizontal fire separation. 2) Combustible drain, waste and vent piping enclosed in an assembly or protected as described in Sentence (1) is permitted on both sides of a fire separation. (See Appendix A.)

Continuous Rated fire separations are required on 9.36.2.15 Separation of Residential Suites Fire both sides of a wall and the underside Separation of separating the from 1) Dwelling units in a building which the secondary suite. contains a secondary suite shall be House Side separated from each other by: a) a fire separation conforming to Article 9.10.9.14

b) a fire separation having a fire- House Side resistance rating of not less than 30minutes where the dwelling units are equipped with smoke alarms conforming to Article 9.36.2.19, or c) a fire separation having no required fire resistance rating where the building is sprinklered. (See Appendix Note A-9.36.2.17) Board over combustible pipes in ceilings that 9.36.2.16 Separation of Public Corridors drop below floor joists 1) A public corridor serving a building which contains a secondary suite shall be separated from the suite by: a) are conforming to Article 9.10.9.15, b) a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 30minutes where the dwelling units are equipped with smoke alarms conforming to Article 9.36.2.19, or Openings or penetrations for combustible pipes, fans, power panels, plastic laundry baskets or any other c) a fire separation having no required fire openings shall not interrupt the integrity of the fire resistance rating where the building is separation. The fire separation shall be maintained by sprinklered. (See Appendix A) using the appropriate gypsum board or other fire-stop material or product. All gypsum board in a fire separation 9.36.2.17 Air Ducts and Fire Dampers shall be mudded and taped, and screws shall be mudded over. 1) Where a heating or ventilation duct system serves more than one suite, the system shall be designed and installed to prevent the circulation of smoke upon a signal from a duct-type smoke detector.

Fire dampers 2) Ducts penetrating fire separations need not be Continuous shall be tight- equipped with fire dampers in conformance with Fire fitted and Separation Article 3.1.8.9. provided they are non-combustible sealed. with all openings in the duct system serving only one fire compartment. (See Appendix Note A-9.36.2.17)

Excerpt from BC Building Code 2012

Excerpt from BC

9.36.2.18 Exposing Building Face of Building Code 2012 1) Except as required in Article 9.10.15.3, in that contain a secondary suite, the requirements of Article 9.10.14.5 do not apply provided: a) the exposing building face has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45minutes where the limiting distance is less than 1.2metres(3.9feet), and b) the exposing building face is clad with noncombustible material where the limiting distance is less than 0.6metres (2.0feet). 2) Window openings in the exposing building face referred to in Sentence (1) shall: a) not be permitted if the limiting distance is less than 1.2metres (3.9feet), and b) be limited in conformance with the requirements for unprotected openings in Article 9.10.14.4 where the limiting distance is 1.2metres (3.9feet) or greater.

9.36.2.19 Smoke Alarms 1) Except as permitted in Sentence (3), an additional smoke alarm of photo-electric type conforming to CAN/ULC-S531 "Standard for Smoke Alarms," shall be installed in each suite. 2) Smoke alarms required in Sentence (1) shall be wired so that the activation of the additional alarm in one suite will cause the additional alarm in the other suite to sound. 3) An additional interconnected smoke alarm is not required to be installed in each suite provided: a) The fire separations required in Articles 9.36.2.15 and 9.36.2.16 have a fire resistance rating of 45minutes or greater, or b) the building is sprinklered. (See Appendix A.)

9.36.2.20 Sound Control 1) The assemblies separating the residential suites need not comply with the sound control requirements of Subsection 9.11.2. (See Appendix A.)

9.36.2.21 Space Access 1) An attic space access hatchway not less than 0.32metres2 (3.4feet²) in an area with no dimension less than 545millimetres (1.8feet) may serve both suites in a building that contains a secondary suite.

9.36.2.22 Garages and 1) Section 9.35 is applicable to garages and carports serving a building that contains a secondary suite.