Secondary suite in North Vancouver

725
Lots where it is allowed: 11
Zones: 7,278 sq ft (676 m²)
Middle lot size: 300
Most in Lower Lonsdale

725 lots in the City of North Vancouver sit in a zone whose rules allow a secondary suite. Those 11 zones are One-Unit Residential (RS-1), One-Unit Residential (RS-2), Two-Unit Residential (RT-1), Ground-Oriented Residential 1 (RG-1), Ground-Oriented Residential 2 (RG-2), Ground Oriented Residential 2A (RG-2A), Ground-Oriented Residential 3 (RG-3), Ground-Oriented Residential 4 (RG-4), Medium Density Apartment Residential (RM-1), Medium Density Apartment Residential 2 (RM-2) and High Density Apartment Residential (RH-1).

The bylaw does not use the everyday word. It calls this Accessory Secondary Suite Use, and each zone's own section either permits that use or leaves it out. The counts on this page follow those sections, one zone at a time.

The middle lot among them is 7,278 sq ft (676 m²). They run from 2,029 sq ft (189 m²) to 294,480 sq ft (27,358 m²).

Look up your own lot

Where the zoning allows one

Each zone below lists Accessory Secondary Suite Use in its own section of the City of North Vancouver's zoning bylaw. A zone left off this list does not allow a secondary suite, whatever a neighbouring lot has on it already: a building put up under older rules can stay, and that does not make the same thing allowed today.

One-Unit Residential (RS-1) 175 lots, section 501(1)(a)

The City's one-unit residential zone. It allows one house, a suite inside that house, and one coach house at the back of the lot. Most lots in this zone became Ground Oriented in December 2025; these are the ones the change left out.
One-Unit Residential (RS-2) 2 lots, section 501(1)(a)

The City's one-unit residential zone. It allows one house, a suite inside that house, and one coach house at the back of the lot.
Two-Unit Residential (RT-1) 144 lots, section 502(1)(a)

The City's duplex zone: one building with two units, or a single house. Each duplex unit may hold a suite, and a house may add a suite and a coach house.
Ground-Oriented Residential 1 (RG-1) 3 lots, section 503(1)(a)

Low-rise ground-oriented units, with one unit allowed for every 2,225 sq ft (206.7 m²) of lot.
Ground-Oriented Residential 2 (RG-2) 2 lots, Figure 562-1, with a one-unit house

Townhouses, small rental apartment buildings, duplexes and houses, with floor space up to 0.75 times the lot.
Ground Oriented Residential 2A (RG-2A) 2 lots, Figure 562A-1, with a one-unit house

Townhouses, small rental apartment buildings, duplexes and houses, with floor space up to 0.75 times the lot and a lower height than RG-2.
Ground-Oriented Residential 3 (RG-3) 76 lots, Figure 563-1, with a one-unit house

The City's townhouse zone: townhouses, small rental apartment buildings, duplexes and houses, in areas the City's plan marks Residential Level 4A.
Ground-Oriented Residential 4 (RG-4) 3 lots, Figure 564-1, with a one-unit house

Townhouses, small rental apartment buildings, duplexes and houses, in areas the City's plan marks Residential Level 4B.
Medium Density Apartment Residential (RM-1) 282 lots, section 504(1)(a)

The City's three-storey apartment zone. Section 504 permits apartment buildings, rental apartment buildings, ground-oriented apartments, duplexes and houses.
Medium Density Apartment Residential 2 (RM-2) 12 lots, Figure 572-1, with a one-unit house

Townhouses and apartment buildings in areas the City's plan marks Residential Level 5, with floor space up to 1.6 times the lot.
High Density Apartment Residential (RH-1) 24 lots, section 504(1)(a)

The City's high-rise apartment zone. Section 504 permits apartment buildings, rental apartment buildings, ground-oriented apartments, duplexes and houses.

How big a lot it needs

The bylaw sets no smallest lot for a secondary suite. What fits still depends on the lot: the floor space, the lot coverage and the distances from the property lines below all scale with the lot's own size.

The rules that come with it

The figures below are the ones that decide what fits. Each zone's own page carries the rest, including how the floor space changes with the land use category the city's plan gives a lot.

One-Unit Residential (RS-1)

Height: up to 26 ft 3 in to the top of the wall, 33 ft 2 in with the roof.
Floor space: up to 0.49 times the lot area, so 2,615 sq ft (243 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 40% of the lot.
Distance from the property lines: 15 ft 1 in (4.6 m) at the front, 26 ft 3 in (8 m) at the back and 3 ft 11 in (1.2 m) at each side.
Permits: development permit and building permit, for a coach house.
It has to be inside the house itself, not a separate building.
It must be between 400 sq ft (37.16 m²) and 969 sq ft (90 m²), and at most 40% of the building's total floor space, whichever of the two is smaller.
One per house, and the owner has to live on the property.

One-Unit Residential (RS-2)

Height: up to 26 ft 3 in to the top of the wall, 33 ft 2 in with the roof.
Floor space: up to 0.49 times the lot area, so 2,615 sq ft (243 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 40% of the lot.
Distance from the property lines: 15 ft 1 in (4.6 m) at the front, 26 ft 3 in (8 m) at the back and 3 ft 11 in (1.2 m) at each side.
Permits: development permit and building permit, for a coach house.
It has to be inside the house itself, not a separate building.
It must be between 400 sq ft (37.16 m²) and 969 sq ft (90 m²), and at most 40% of the building's total floor space, whichever of the two is smaller.
One per house, and the owner has to live on the property.

Two-Unit Residential (RT-1)

Height: up to 26 ft 3 in to the top of the wall, 33 ft 2 in with the roof.
Floor space: up to 0.5 times the lot area, so 2,691 sq ft (250 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 35% of the lot.
Distance from the property lines: 15 ft 1 in (4.6 m) at the front, 26 ft 3 in (8 m) at the back and 3 ft 11 in (1.2 m) at each side.
It has to be inside the house itself, not a separate building.
It must be between 400 sq ft (37.16 m²) and 969 sq ft (90 m²), and at most 40% of the building's total floor space, whichever of the two is smaller.
One per house, and the owner has to live on the property.

Ground-Oriented Residential 1 (RG-1)

Height: up to 2 storeys, 25 ft.
Floor space: up to 0.49 times the lot area, so 2,637 sq ft (245 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 35% of the lot.
Distance from the property lines: 20 ft (6.096 m) at the front, 20 ft (6.096 m) at the back and 20 ft (6.096 m) at each side.
It has to be inside the house itself, not a separate building.
It must be between 400 sq ft (37.16 m²) and 969 sq ft (90 m²), and at most 40% of the building's total floor space, whichever of the two is smaller.
One per house, and the owner has to live on the property.

Ground-Oriented Residential 2 (RG-2)

Height: up to 39 ft 4 in building envelope.
Floor space: up to 0.5 times the lot area, so 2,691 sq ft (250 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 50% of the lot.
Distance from the property lines: 9 ft 10 in (3 m) at the front, 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at the back and 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at each side.
Floor space can rise to 0.75 times the lot area with an amenity contribution, a special setback dedication and a high energy step (Passive House or the BC Energy Step Code), sections 411 and 418 to 421.
Permits: development permit and building permit.
It has to be inside the house itself, not a separate building.
It must be between 400 sq ft (37.16 m²) and 969 sq ft (90 m²), and at most 40% of the building's total floor space, whichever of the two is smaller.
One per house, and the owner has to live on the property.

Ground Oriented Residential 2A (RG-2A)

Height: up to 27 ft building envelope.
Floor space: up to 0.75 times the lot area, so 4,036 sq ft (375 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 40% of the lot.
Distance from the property lines: 9 ft 10 in (3 m) at the front, 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at the back and 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at each side.
Permits: development permit and building permit.
It has to be inside the house itself, not a separate building.
It must be between 400 sq ft (37.16 m²) and 969 sq ft (90 m²), and at most 40% of the building's total floor space, whichever of the two is smaller.
One per house, and the owner has to live on the property.

Ground-Oriented Residential 3 (RG-3)

Height: up to 39 ft 4 in building envelope.
Floor space: up to 0.5 times the lot area, so 2,691 sq ft (250 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 60% of the lot.
Distance from the property lines: 9 ft 10 in (3 m) at the front, 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at the back and 7 ft 10 in (2.4 m) at each side.
Floor space can rise to 1.0 times the lot area with an amenity contribution, a special setback dedication and a high energy step (Passive House or the BC Energy Step Code), sections 411 and 418 to 421.
Permits: development permit and building permit.
It has to be inside the house itself, not a separate building.
It must be between 400 sq ft (37.16 m²) and 969 sq ft (90 m²), and at most 40% of the building's total floor space, whichever of the two is smaller.
One per house, and the owner has to live on the property.

Ground-Oriented Residential 4 (RG-4)

Height: up to 49 ft 3 in building envelope.
Floor space: up to 0.5 times the lot area, so 2,691 sq ft (250 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 60% of the lot.
Distance from the property lines: 9 ft 10 in (3 m) at the front, 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at the back and 7 ft 10 in (2.4 m) at each side.
Floor space can rise to 1.25 times the lot area with an amenity contribution, a special setback dedication and a high energy step (Passive House or the BC Energy Step Code), sections 411 and 418 to 421.
Permits: development permit and building permit.
It has to be inside the house itself, not a separate building.
It must be between 400 sq ft (37.16 m²) and 969 sq ft (90 m²), and at most 40% of the building's total floor space, whichever of the two is smaller.
One per house, and the owner has to live on the property.

Medium Density Apartment Residential (RM-1)

Height: up to 3 storeys, 42 ft 8 in.
Floor space: up to 1.0 times the lot area, so 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 50% of the lot.
Distance from the property lines: 20 ft (6.096 m) at the front, 20 ft (6.096 m) at the back and 15 ft (4.57 m) at each side.
Floor space can rise to 1.6 times the lot area with adaptable design under section 423.
It has to be inside the house itself, not a separate building.
It must be between 400 sq ft (37.16 m²) and 969 sq ft (90 m²), and at most 40% of the building's total floor space, whichever of the two is smaller.
One per house, and the owner has to live on the property.

Medium Density Apartment Residential 2 (RM-2)

Height: up to 49 ft 3 in building envelope.
Floor space: up to 0.5 times the lot area, so 2,691 sq ft (250 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 60% of the lot.
Distance from the property lines: 9 ft 10 in (3 m) at the front, 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at the back and 7 ft 10 in (2.4 m) at each side.
Floor space can rise to 1.6 times the lot area with an amenity contribution, a special setback dedication and a high energy step (Passive House or the BC Energy Step Code), sections 411 and 418 to 421.
Permits: development permit and building permit.
It has to be inside the house itself, not a separate building.
It must be between 400 sq ft (37.16 m²) and 969 sq ft (90 m²), and at most 40% of the building's total floor space, whichever of the two is smaller.
One per house, and the owner has to live on the property.

High Density Apartment Residential (RH-1)

Height: up to 100 ft.
Floor space: up to 1.2 times the lot area, so 6,458 sq ft (600 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 50% of the lot.
Distance from the property lines: 25 ft (7.62 m) at the front, 25 ft (7.62 m) at the back and 25 ft (7.62 m) at each side.
Floor space can rise to 2.6 times the lot area with adaptable design under section 423.
It has to be inside the house itself, not a separate building.
It must be between 400 sq ft (37.16 m²) and 969 sq ft (90 m²), and at most 40% of the building's total floor space, whichever of the two is smaller.
One per house, and the owner has to live on the property.

Where they are in the city

The 725 lots that allow a secondary suite sit across 7 of the neighbourhoods the City of North Vancouver maps. Lower Lonsdale holds the most, 300 of them, which is 41%.

Lots where the zoning allows one

24 of the 725 lots, taken across the city. Each address opens that lot's own page, with its zone, its size, the number of units allowed and the full breakdown. To check one address, use the box at the foot of this page.

Rufus Dr Zone RS-1 · 147,787 sq ft · 3 units
130 E 17th St Zone RM-1 · 9,788 sq ft
145 W 18th St Zone RM-1 · 22,147 sq ft
204 W 21st St Zone RT-1 · 6,036 sq ft · 4 units
229 W 15th St Zone RT-1 · 6,960 sq ft · 6 units
301 E 10th St Zone RT-1 · 8,549 sq ft · 4 units
1215 St. Georges Ave Zone RM-1 · 15,354 sq ft
2117 Chesterfield Ave Zone RT-1 · 4,790 sq ft · 4 units
506 E 19th St Zone RS-1 · 6,045 sq ft · 3 units
760 Grand Blvd Zone RS-1 · 6,016 sq ft · 3 units
1045 Grand Blvd Zone RS-1 · 7,792 sq ft · 3 units
1352 Grand Blvd Zone RS-1 · 7,280 sq ft · 3 units
1710 Grand Blvd Zone RS-1 · 7,541 sq ft · 3 units
104 E 5th St Zone RH-1 · 12,953 sq ft
140 W 5th St Zone RM-1 · 20,984 sq ft
170 E Keith Rd Zone RH-1 · 27,050 sq ft
225 W 3rd St Zone RM-1 · 20,997 sq ft
242 E 4th St Zone RT-1 · 6,995 sq ft · 6 units
267 E 4th St Zone RT-1 · 6,023 sq ft · 4 units
317 W 4th St Zone RM-1 · 2,999 sq ft
372 E 3rd St Zone RM-1 · 5,999 sq ft
427 E 2nd St Zone RG-3 · 5,992 sq ft
462 E 1st St Zone RG-3 · 5,988 sq ft
631 W 22nd St Zone RS-1 · 6,743 sq ft · 3 units

Every kind of property North Vancouver (City) allows , each with the zones that allow it and the sections of the bylaw behind them.

Questions

Can I build a secondary suite in North Vancouver?

On 725 lots, yes, because their zoning allows it. That is 11% of the 6,781 lots the City of North Vancouver records. Whether your own lot is one of them depends on its zone, so look the address up.

Which zones allow a secondary suite in North Vancouver?

One-Unit Residential (RS-1), under section 501(1)(a), One-Unit Residential (RS-2), under section 501(1)(a), Two-Unit Residential (RT-1), under section 502(1)(a), Ground-Oriented Residential 1 (RG-1), under section 503(1)(a), Ground-Oriented Residential 2 (RG-2), under Figure 562-1, with a one-unit house, Ground Oriented Residential 2A (RG-2A), under Figure 562A-1, with a one-unit house, Ground-Oriented Residential 3 (RG-3), under Figure 563-1, with a one-unit house, Ground-Oriented Residential 4 (RG-4), under Figure 564-1, with a one-unit house, Medium Density Apartment Residential (RM-1), under section 504(1)(a), Medium Density Apartment Residential 2 (RM-2), under Figure 572-1, with a one-unit house and High Density Apartment Residential (RH-1), under section 504(1)(a). Each zone's page lists its own height, floor space and setback figures.

What does the zoning bylaw call a secondary suite?

Accessory Secondary Suite Use. The bylaw uses its own names for kinds of housing, and a zone allows only the ones its section lists, so the name matters when you read the bylaw yourself.

How tall can a secondary suite be in North Vancouver?

It depends on the zone: RS-1 up to 26 ft 3 in to the top of the wall, 33 ft 2 in with the roof, RS-2 up to 26 ft 3 in to the top of the wall, 33 ft 2 in with the roof, RT-1 up to 26 ft 3 in to the top of the wall, 33 ft 2 in with the roof, RG-1 up to 2 storeys, 25 ft, RG-2 up to 39 ft 4 in building envelope, RG-2A up to 27 ft building envelope, RG-3 up to 39 ft 4 in building envelope, RG-4 up to 49 ft 3 in building envelope, RM-1 up to 3 storeys, 42 ft 8 in, RM-2 up to 49 ft 3 in building envelope and RH-1 up to 100 ft.

Which parts of North Vancouver have the most lots where a secondary suite is allowed?

Lower Lonsdale with 300, Central Lonsdale with 226 and Grand Boulevard with 161. Every neighbourhood with lots that allow it is listed on this page, each linking to its own page.

Where do these figures come from?

Every count on this page is worked out from the City of North Vancouver's own lot, zoning and land use records, downloaded on September 19, 2026, and every rule is quoted from the section of the zoning bylaw named beside it. Nothing here is an estimate. The city decides what it will approve, so treat this as a starting point and confirm with the city before you design.

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Where this came from

Lot outlines, addresses, areas, zones and land use categories for the City of North Vancouver come from the City of North Vancouver's public map , downloaded on September 19, 2026. Lot, zoning and overlay information comes from the City of North Vancouver's public mapping service. The City makes no guarantee about the accuracy or completeness of that information. Check anything that matters with the City before you spend money on it.

The rules for the Ground Oriented and Mid Rise zones come from Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700, Amendment Bylaw, 2025, No. 9137 , read on 2026-09-18.

The rules for the One-Unit Residential and One-Unit Residential zones come from Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700, RS-1 and RS-2 excerpt published by the City , read on 2026-09-20.

The rules for the Two-Unit Residential and Ground-Oriented Residential 1 and Ground-Oriented Residential 2 and Ground Oriented Residential 2A and Ground-Oriented Residential 3 and Ground-Oriented Residential 4 and Medium Density Apartment Residential and Medium Density Apartment Residential 2 and High Density Apartment Residential zones come from Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700, consolidated to March 2, 2026 (Part 1) , read on 2026-09-20.

This lookup is published by RealDream Contracting, a renovation contractor in North Vancouver, independently of the city. If something here is wrong, tell us and we will check it against the city's records.