Benefits of Secondary Suites Secondary suites are one way to increase the supply of affordable rental housing in without affecting neighborhood character or the need for a government program or subsidy. Canada Mortgage and Housing Secondary suites can also help Corporation (CMHC) offers financial homeowners to offset costs, which can assistance for the creation of a be especially helpful for first time Secondary Suite for low-income seniors homebuyers. Homeowners can apply or adults with a disability — making it the rental income towards their possible for them to live independently mortgage payments while seniors on in their community, close to family and fixed incomes can use the rental friends. income to help them maintain their and standard of living.

www.cmhcschl.gc.ca/en/co/prfina s/prfinas_001.cfm

Development Services Dept. 5003 Graham Avenue

250-615-4000

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The BC Code defines a secondary suite as an additional dwelling unit which: • Has a total space of not more Construction 2 2 than 90 m (968 ft ) in area; In October, 2012, the City of • Has a floor space less than 40% of Requirements Terrace amended the zoning bylaw the habitable floor space of the to allow secondary suites in the building; R1 – One Family Residential zone. • Is located within a building of With this amendment, secondary suites residential occupancy containing are now permitted in all Rural and only one other dwelling unit; and is Residential zones except in the R1-A and located in and part of a building BC Building Code Section 9.36 R7 zones. which is a single real estate entity.

The Secondary Suite regulations of the BC Building Code were drafted for In 2010, the City of Terrace the construction of safe, affordable amended the zoning bylaw for accommodation within existing A secondary suite is a legal the AR1 and AR2 rural zones to . rental suite located within a permit “carriage ” type single family dwelling. The intent of the requirements of secondary suites. In this scenario The suite can include common areas the unit is permitted in a small stand- Section 9.36 is to provide flexibility in with the rest of the house, such as alone building, as well as above a the construction of Secondary Suites laundry facilities and storage, but it or in an accessory building. while not compromising the basic must be a separate living area safety of residents. protected from the spread of fire. At minimum the suite must contain a separate and .

The owner of a secondary suite is Before starting construction associated considered a landlord. For information with installing or upgrading a secondary on the role and responsibilities of a suite, the homeowner needs to contact landlord, contact the Rental Owners the building department. A permit is and Managers Society of BC (ROMS required for all new suites installed in a BC) at (250) 382-6324 or visit single family dwelling. Home builders www.suites-bc.com who don’t want a suite at the point of construction might want to consider making a home “suite ready” (fire separation, wiring and roughed Please speak with your contractor, in etc.) In addition, existing illegal suites visit the City of Terrace Public works in the R1 zone may now be eligible to be office or purchase a copy of the BC occupied, through the permitting process. Building code online @ For more information on the building www.bccodes.ca 2 permitting process or to upgrade/legalize to learn more about the construction a suite please contact the building requirements. department at (250) 615-4000.