Accessory Dwelling Units (Garden Suites)

This engagement is now complete. Find current information about Garden Suites in Colwood at www.colwood.ca/GardenSuites.

Colwood Council will be considering changes to the city’s regulations for Garden Suites.

Please take a moment to read the information provided here about proposed changes, benefits, and trade-offs, and then share your thoughts about this issue in the survey below. The survey is scheduled to be open until February 20, 2023.

Your input is valuable in helping Council understand citizen needs and expectations along with other technical, environmental, and economic considerations.

What is a Garden Suite?

A Garden Suite is an independent living space that is located in the backyard of a single family detached house. A Garden Suite may also be referred to as a coach house or carriage house.

Current Regulations

Proposed Changes

1. Permit Garden Suites in a yard of a duplex or a townhouse
2. Allow Garden Suites to have an area up to 970 sq. ft.
3. Exclude the area of a Garden Suite from the area calculation of all accessory buildings located on a lot (e.g., garages, sheds)

Why is the City considering changes?

These changes are intended to address some of the barriers residents face when contemplating a new accessory dwelling unit that will help achieve some of the benefits noted above.

Reviewing these regulations was a recommended action of the 2018 Official Community Plan and the City’s 2020 Housing Needs Assessment.

If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please fill out the survey below and join us at a public hearing on March 2, 2023 at 6:30pm.

For more information, please email planning@colwood.ca