Modern duplex (Photo 88004222 © Lawcain | Dreamstime.com)

By Kevin Rothwell

Currently not allowed

Vernon reviews secondary suites in duplexes

Mar 9, 2021 | 1:54 PM

Vernon councillor Brian Quiring is looking for clarification on allowing secondary suites in duplexes.

The B.C. building code changed in 2019 to allow for secondary suites in semi-attatched buildings provided there is a vertical separation allowing for a suite on each side of a duplex.

“Somebody I know built a duplex up around the hospital, and built it according to the new code, and was in the process of trying to get occupancy and found out that the new code doesn’t align with our secondary suite bylaw,” Quiring said. “Could we consider moving that up the priority list and adding that as an option?”

Planning and building staff are currently reviewing the secondary suite bylaw to remove barriers in an effort to add more housing inventory as part of addressing a one per cent vacancy rate.

Currently anyone building a new duplex is required to place a restrictive covenant on title stating they will not have a secondary suite.

phoney cop calls

Fraudsters use police number for scam calls

5m ago

Pride Week

Vernon Pride Week to run in June

11m ago

Assault, Uttering Threats

Sentencing in assault with a weapon trial pushed back

5h ago

“I think our timing is wrong on this. Secondary suites in duplexes should be moved up the food chain, as long as that conforms to the 2019 amendments to the B.C. building code,” Quiring added.

Staff note the covenant is worded in such a way that if zoning bylaws are changed it would no longer apply, and that secondary suites in duplexes is on the work plan, but not a top priority item.

“Like any zoning change, there are ripple effects, typically parking being a big one,” Craig Broderick, Manager of Current Planning and Approving Officer said.

Administration will report back on the subject at a future council meeting.