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COW-50-23DevelopmentActiveFollow Matter

Secondary Suite Bylaw Amendments

First seen: October 10, 2023
Last seen: October 17, 2023

Lifecycle Timeline

October 17, 2023Council
Full Recording

Secondary Suite Type 1 and Type 2 Permits

"Council discussed the rationale behind the amendments, focusing on addressing the safety implications of Type 2 suites (pre-Sept 2007, non-compliant with BC Building Code) and encouraging owners to upgrade them. The discussion touched upon the fairness of fees and ensuring owners had information about compliance options, addressing concerns raised during the Public Participation period."
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT: i. Secondary Suites Permit Bylaw No. 601, 2005 be amended as follows: a. Deleting section 2.1 in its entirety and replacing it with the following: In this bylaw, a Type 2 Permit is a permit issued before September 1, 2007, for a secondary suite that does not comply with the B.C. Building Code. b. Deleting section 3.1 in its entirety and renumbering the remaining sections and subsections sequentially. c. Deleting section 4.1 in its entirety and renumbering the remaining subsections sequentially. d. Deleting section 5.1 in its entirety and renumbering the remaining subsections sequentially. e. Deleting section 6.1 in its entirety and replacing it with the following: Every Type 2 secondary suite permit holder must post a copy of the permit at a conspicuous location in the suite. ii. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016 be amended as follows: a. Deleting the following row from the Development Services table: Secondary Suite Permit - $150 As per Bylaw No. 601. b. Deleting the following row from the Development Services table: Secondary Suite Permit renewal - $100 As per Bylaw No. 601. c. Adding the following row to the Development Services table: Secondary Suite Type 2 Permit Renewal - $100 As per Bylaw No. XX. iii. Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 643, 2007 be amended as follows: a. Deleting the following item under Columns 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Schedule 2 in its entirety: Failure to obtain annual Secondary Suite Permit. b. Deleting the following item under Columns 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Schedule 18: No annual secondary suite permit obtained. c. Adding the following item under Columns 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Schedule 18: No annual Type 2 secondary suite permit obtained. AND THAT renewal notices for Type 2 permit holders include information on where to learn more about making their secondary suite BC Building Code compliant."
Moved by: Don Brown
Seconded by: Gery Lemon
Sid Tobias
Don Brown
Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Ron Mattson
John Rogers
October 10, 2023Council
Full Recording

Secondary Suite Type 1 and Type 2 Permits

"Staff proposed eliminating compliant Type 1 permits (as legalization is redundant with the building permit process) and doubling the renewal fee for non-compliant Type 2 permits (from $100 to $200) to incentivize homeowners to upgrade to Type 1 status for tenant health and safety. The fee increase was highly contested, with Councillors Brown and Lemon arguing the increase was not a strong enough incentive and should remain at $100. Councillors MacKenzie and Rogers emphasized the need to promote health and safety standards, especially as the municipality carries liability for non-compliant suites. The first motion (to keep the fee at $100) failed on a 3-3 tie. The second motion (to approve staff recommendation, including $200 fee) carried 4-2."
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT the Committee recommend to Council that: i. Secondary Suites Permit Bylaw No. 601, 2005 be amended as detailed in the staff report; ii. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016 be amended as detailed in the staff report (including Type 2 renewal fee increase to $200); and iii. Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 643, 2007 be amended as detailed in the staff report."
Moved by: John Rogers
Seconded by: Alison MacKenzie
Sid Tobias
Don Brown
Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Alison MacKenzie
John Rogers
Formal MotionFailed
"THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Secondary Suites Permit Bylaw, Fees and Charges Bylaw, and Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw be amended as proposed by staff, with the exception of retaining the renewal fee for Type 2 Secondary Suites at $100."
Moved by: Don Brown
Seconded by: Gery Lemon
Sid Tobias
Don Brown
Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Alison MacKenzie
John Rogers