Did you know? The Province of BC currently has an incentive program to encourage the development of affordable secondary suites. The program will provide money to help homeowners create a new secondary suite on their property to be rented out for below market value. Homeowners who qualify will receive up to 50% of the cost of renovations, up to a maximum of $40,000. The program will provide a rebate in the form of a forgivable loan—a loan that does not need to be repaid if the homeowner follows the terms of the program. For the loan to be forgiven, the new unit must be located on the same property where the homeowner lives and must be rented out at below market rates, set by BC Housing, for at least five years.
More Information On Provincial Subsidy Program
Regulation of Secondary Suites in Prince Rupert
The City of Prince Rupert encourages residents looking for a mortgage helper to consider putting in a secondary suite. Secondary suites are a great way for our community to create additional housing with minimal impact on the character of local neighbourhoods, and also increases the affordability of housing for people looking to buy-in to the housing market.
Secondary suites, attached and detached from the principle dwelling, can be permitted in all residential zones, assuming you can meet the requirements below. Applicants can apply for a variance for Council to consider varying regulations in particular circumstances if requirements cannot be met.
For additional information on requirements for a secondary suite in Prince Rupert, see below.
- Only one accessory dwelling unit permitted for each principle dwelling
- One off-street parking space
- A fire separation having a fire resistance rating of not less than 45 min
- Hard wired interconnected smoke detectors with a battery back-up. One in each bedroom and one serving the rest of the suite
- An egress-able window in each bedroom, with a minimum window size of .35 square metres (3.8 square feet) with no dimension less than 380 millimetres (15 inches)
- Access to the electrical panel
- Exterior metal entrance door with weather-stripping and a door viewer or transparent glazing or a sidelight.
- A kitchen sink, lavatory, bathtub or shower and a water closet
- Minimum ceiling height is 6 foot 11 inches
- The area of the suite cannot exceed 40% of the total living floor space of the building in which it is located and cannot exceed 970 square feet
- All accesses must connect to dedicated roadways designed and constructed to MMCD Standards
A Building Permit is required prior to commencing work on the suite. Addressing will be done after final inspection.