WCEL > Issues > Urban Growth and Development > Smart Bylaws Guide > Part 5 > Secondary Suites > Victoria

Smart Bylaws Guide – Secondary Suites – Victoria

Victoria has a “conversion policy” to allow secondary suites and duplexes in pre-1970’s homes in single family neighbourhoods.  The City permits a wide variety of conversion uses - duplexes, apartments, boarding houses, rooming houses, rest homes and kindergartens - to allow its aging stock of quality housing to adapt to changing social and economic conditions while continuing the appearance of an attractive single family neighbourhood. The rules that apply for duplexes and secondary suites place a strong emphasis on keeping the original architectural appearance of the house and keeping good neighbour relations in terms of privacy, landscaping and parking. 

Most of the City's neighbourhoods are zoned either "R-2" (duplex) or "R1-B" (single family dwelling). Both zones permit duplexes or secondary suites subject to meeting a number of qualifications, such as lot and building size and parking space availability.  If the lot size and other regulations for a duplex are met, the dwelling can be strata titled.  If these requirements cannot be met but the Building Code requirements for secondary suites can be met, then a secondary suite is allowed.  Secondary suites cannot be strata titled.

Basic requirements for a duplex zone (R-2) include:

• Minimum 555-square metre (5975 square foot) lot;
• Minimum 15-metre (49.3 foot) lot width;
• Minimum 46 square metres (500 square feet) private floor area for each of the two separate dwelling units;
• Paved space for independent parking of two cars somewhere on the lot other than the front yard;
Maximum building height of 7.6 metres (24.9 feet); 
• Total lot coverage of 40%;
• Setbacks of 7.5 metres (25 feet) from the front, the greater of 35% of the lot depth or 10.7 metres (35.2 feet) from the rear property lines, the side yards must be at least 10% of the lot width and the total of the two side yards together must equal at least 4.5 metres (15 feet). 

Basic requirements for the single family zone (R1-B) include:

• Single family dwelling constructed prior to 1970;
• Minimum 150 square metres (1615 square feet) of habitable floor space;
• Ceiling clearance of 2.13 metres (7 feet) or more;
• Private floor space of at least 46 square metres (500 square feet) for each of the dwelling units; 
• Paved space to park two cars independently somewhere on the lot other than the front yard;
• Surface parking has to be separated from the back lot line by a landscape screen at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) wide by 1.8 metres (6 feet) tall;
• Minimum 30% of the lot landscaped (including one-third of the rear yard); 
• No changes are permitted for additions like dormers, sundecks, porches or balconies. 

There are appeal processes available if a property cannot meet some of the minor conditions for conversion. The Board of Variance is empowered to deal with architectural changes to a facade facing a street, as well as additions of balconies and sundecks.

The City enforces the standards for secondary suites by complaint only.  If City staff discover an illegal suite, they will inspect it to determine if it complies with the zoning.

City of Victoria Zoning Bylaw No. 80-159 (R-2 or R1-B zone) 

Add A Suite to Your House

Gonzales Area Neighbourhood Plan (Policy 1.4.1.2, p.2 - Permit “Secondary Suites” in houses of any age to provide more affordable housing and retain diversity of housing in the neighbourhood)

For More Information

Brian Sikstrom, Planner, (250) 361-0285, brians@city.victoria.bc.ca