Kelowna Home Renovations Contractor

Basement Finishing

How to build a legal Secondary suite

  Let’s start with a definition of exactly what a secondary suite is. A Secondary suite is a form of rental housing that is typically affordable, ground-oriented and market-based.

 

  To build a Legal Secondary suite the first step would be a visit to your local municipal building department. Or call ahead and arrange an appointment with a planner.  They can provide information on your property and its zoning and tell you if a L.S.S. is allowed in your area. They can provide guidance if your basement is already partially finished as to what can be retained and what areas need to be remediated to meet fire code.

 

  There is a Standard set by the British Columbia Building Code however each municipality is free to enforce the code to its own needs. Some municipalities may feel in some situations extra measures must be taken on a residence or that certain rules in the code need not be followed because of site situations. It Is always best to request a site inspection in the case of finished basements that are being converted or Illegal suites that are being brought up to legal standards.

  In my region when undertaking a Kelowna secondary suite, or Kelowna home renovation, like basement finishing.I recommend the same steps. If you are aware of the regulations, today’s basement finish can easily be converted into a secondary suite tomorrow.

 

The main focus of the British Columbia Building Code and its regulations has always been life safety. The regulations regarding secondary suites are no exception.  The floor system needs a certain fire rating. The walls and doors separating the suites also have requirements. The bedroom windows must be sized for egress in case of fire. The smoke alarms must be of the new photo electric type. These are examples of some of the requirements. There are also parking regulations and access requirements to allow the tenants safe and ease of use. The regulations are available as handout from your municipality or at   thttp://www.housing.gov.bc.ca/pub/secondary_suites.pdf from BC housing. I would strongly suggest you check with your own municipality. You own building department will have simplified the information for you, to just what you require.

 

 

 

 

 Once you have the rules and regulations I strongly suggest the hiring of a licenced contractor with experience building these suites and following these guidelines. You will be getting inspected by electrical, plumbing, and building inspectors and what you are building now is seen as a public space. So be prepared for them to be picky.

 

I get calls every day from home owners who have been caught with illegal suites. Don’t let it be you. To rebuild a suite is much more expensive than doing it right the first time.

 If you are in the Kelowna area give me us a call. Greenwave Construction specializes in the construction of Kelowna legal secondary suites and basement finishing. The building code is there to keep our families safe lets follow it.