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Secondary suites now legal without a license

Kelowna city council approved and adopted changes to the secondary suites process Monday.
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Secondary suites now legal without a license

The new process does not require a business license and permits a secondary suite in single-family dwellings in most residential zones without needing to rezone the property, including Quail Ridge, Tower Ranch, Kettle Valley, hillside zones and bare land stratas.

“This change will help provide more affordable housing stock in Kelowna with minimal impact to neighbourhoods by adding more rental options and can act as mortgage helpers to families,” said Terry Barton, urban planning manager. “No new infrastructure is required because the secondary suites are contained within existing single-family homes.”

A secondary suite must have an occupancy permit to be legal and must provide an additional off-street parking stall which can occur on the driveway apron.

Suites are still prohibited in the Gallagher’s Canyon neighbourhood and the adjacent Eastwood subdivision. Bare land stratas can restrict suites within their strata bylaws if they choose.

For more information, visit kelowna.ca.