There continues to be a lack of rental housing on the Sunshine Coast. The recent housing needs assessment indicates a predominance of single-family homes, with few apartment buildings, a small percentage of accessory dwelling units, and a significant housing cost-to-income ratio for renters.

Local government is working to support the development of secondary suites and accessory dwelling units to provide more affordable and diverse housing on the Sunshine Coast.

TYPES OF ACCESSORY DWELLINGS

Secondary Suites

A secondary suite is a separate living area contained within a single-family home, often a basement suite or an upper floor suite. It is a self-contained living unit with a kitchen, bathroom, and at least one bedroom. The suite must have at least one access door leading directly outside the suite. A secondary suite does not have its own Certificate of Title, and it cannot be stratified, similar to a duplex or townhouse. A secondary suite will be assigned a separate address at the building permit.

Carriage House

A carriage house is an attached house located in conjunction with an accessory building (e.g. a garage). A carriage home is located on the same property as the principal dwelling. A carriage home requires access to a main frontage road and must not rely on a laneway. It does not have its own Certificate of Title, cannot be strata titled, and requires a separate address.

Secondary Dwelling

A secondary dwelling is a freestanding detached single-family home located on the same parcel as the principal dwelling (sometimes referred to as a coach house or laneway house). These dwellings can be constructed through a building contractor or acquired through a modular housing or a mobile home provider. Secondary dwellings differ from carriage homes because they are freestanding and not attached to an accessory building like a garage. A secondary dwelling does not have its own Certificate of Title, cannot be strata titled, and requires a separate address.

TYPES OF ACCESSORY DWELLINGS

Secondary Suites

A secondary suite is a separate living area contained within a single-family home, often a basement suite or an upper floor suite. It is a self-contained living unit with a kitchen, bathroom, and at least one bedroom. The suite must have at least one access door leading directly outside the suite. A secondary suite does not have its own Certificate of Title, and it cannot be stratified, similar to a duplex or townhouse. A secondary suite will be assigned a separate address at the building permit.

Carriage House

A carriage house is an attached house located in conjunction with an accessory building (e.g. a garage). A carriage home is located on the same property as the principal dwelling. A carriage home requires access to a main frontage road and must not rely on a laneway. It does not have its own Certificate of Title, cannot be strata titled, and requires a separate address.

Secondary Dwelling

A secondary dwelling is a freestanding detached single-family home located on the same parcel as the principal dwelling (sometimes referred to as a coach house or laneway house). These dwellings can be constructed through a building contractor or acquired through a modular housing or a mobile home provider. Secondary dwellings differ from carriage homes because they are freestanding and not attached to an accessory building like a garage. A secondary dwelling does not have its own Certificate of Title, cannot be strata titled, and requires a separate address.