Secondary & Garden Suites

• Fill out and submit the Suite Registration Application Form and pay the $125 fee
• Submit a Building Permit Application and pay the required fees (variable based on project)
• Pass the departmental reviews
• Maintain an Annual Suite Licence of $56 payable at time of registration and then renew by the end of each calendar year
• Pay an additional 40% of base rate for water and/or sewer on the quarterly utility invoice

If an existing suite can meet all of the criteria, a building permit and final inspection is all that is required to register the suite before occupancy can be granted. If an existing suite cannot meet all of the criteria, it will be considered a new construction and will be subject to all the necessary inspections prior to final inspection and occupancy.

The Suites Licencing Program is guided by the Secondary Suite and Garden Suite Policy with the specific requirements found in the Zoning Bylaw.

Be sure to review the following documents and any other Municipal Bylaws that may apply.

• Building Bylaw 2273
• Driveway Permit Information
• Suite Appendix A (This is a helpful document summarizing some important information to be aware of when registering your Secondary Suite or Garden Suite in Peachland.)

• A Garden Suite is a secondary dwelling contained within an accessory building other than a mobile home, located in the rear or side yard of a lot containing a principal dwelling.
• A Secondary Suite is one (1) or more habitable rooms within a single detached dwelling, used as a separate dwelling, with self-contained sleeping, living, cooking, and sanitary facilities, and direct access to the exterior, without passing through any part of the principal single detached dwelling unit.

An unregistered or "illegal" suite is one that was built without the proper permits. Prior to the adoption of Zoning Bylaw 2100 in late 2016, secondary and garden suites were not permitted anywhere in Peachland, except through council approval of a property specific rezoning application. This means that if your existing secondary or garden suite was built in 2016 or earlier, it is probably an unregistered suite. If you own or live in an unregistered suite, there is reason for concern, as the suite was not constructed with the appropriate permits and inspections and may not meet the proper specifications for fire and life safety.

In most cases, it is possible to register an existing suite. A contractor familiar with Peachland's bylaws can determine whether any upgrades are needed for the suite to become compliant with bylaw and building code requirements. In rare cases, it may not be possible for an existing suite to be upgraded to meet the requirements for registration. In these cases, the suite will need to be decommissioned.

Registering your suite can provide the following benefits to a homeowner: 

Safety:

For a suite to be registered, it must meet the fire and life safety requirements set out in the BC Building Code, which are intended to protect the safety of both tenants and landlords. These features include smoke detectors, appropriate access and egress, and fire separations.

Value:

A registered suite with a valid suite licence can increase property value and provide assurance to potential buyers that the suite is properly constructed and in compliance with building codes and municipal bylaws.

Security:

An unregistered suite could negatively impact your home insurance. The suite could violate the terms of your insurance policy, which could leave you on the hook for the full cost of damages or repairs related to an insurance claim.

Compliance:

Registered suites have the appropriate permits and are in compliance with municipal bylaws and building codes. Unregistered suites are not in compliance with municipal bylaws. After the end of the “grace period” in December 2019, owners of unregistered suites may be subject to bylaw enforcement up to and including required decommissioning of the suite.