Secondary Suites

Secondary suites provide an option for housing in our community. It is important to ensure that community members are fully informed about the regulations and uses of secondary suites.

The key to creating a stock of a good-quality legal secondary suite is the full cooperation and understanding of key groups of stakeholders in our community.

Secondary suites are now permitted within all low-density residential zones and must comply with the BC Building Code. Please contact the Development Services department for more information.

A legal suite in Fort St. John meets the following criteria:

  • Secondary Suites are permitted in all residential zones when a single family dwelling or a duplex are the principal dwelling;
  • No more than one Secondary Suite is permitted per principal dwelling;
  • The maximum floor area of a Secondary Suite must not exceed the lesser of 90 m2 or 40% of the habitable floor area of the principal dwelling unit;
  • The Secondary Suite must meet BC Building Code requirements for secondary suites;
  • Secondary Suites shall not be subdivided or strata-titled; and
  • Secondary suites are not permitted in detached suites

Enforcement of Illegal Suites:

The concern of illegal secondary suites and it's related impacts were raised to Council in 2015. Factors such as the number of new developments with semi-attached dwellings, uptake of these units for rent, and a strong economic climate have contributed to the increase of illegal suites were used and resulted in negative impacts to the neighborhoods that they are located in. In addition to secondary suites being illegally built, other concerns include traffic, safety, and unsightly properties and streets in those areas.

This set into motion a series of steps by the City such as a plan to educate and inform the community on secondary suites and staff recording complaints to initiate an enforcement approach. The intent of this enforcement approach is to reduce and resolve health and safety issues resulting from illegal secondary suites and convey it formally through legal notices on the property title. A list of current properties with illegal suites can be found here.