Policy Manual Document: Policy # 900.37 Decommissioning of Unauthorized Secondary Suites

POLICY MANUAL

PURPOSE

To describe the procedures required to decommission unauthorized secondary suites in the Town of View Royal.

DEFINITIONS

“Secondary Suite” means an additional dwelling unit that is entirely contained within a residential single family use building and is located on the same legal parcel as the residential single family use with which it is associated, such that the building containing the suite is a single real property entity.

POLICY

Secondary suites are permitted provided they meet the proper zoning and lot size set out in Land Use Bylaw, 1990, No. 35.

Secondary suites found in dwellings through either complaints from the public, real estate ads or employees attending properties for other purposes must be decommissioned in a manner approved by the Town of View Royal.

PROCEDURES

To decommission a secondary suite, the kitchen facilities must be removed as per the “Guide to Decommissioning Secondary Suites”. The owner may also elect to remove the bathroom facilities and/or create a permanent opening between the space and the principal dwelling.

To permanently remove the cooking facilities

The requirements are:

• Permanent removal of the hood fan and all cooking facilities (including, but not limited to stoves, microwaves, convection ovens, cook tops, hot plates, camping stoves, barbeques, crock pots, electric fry pans, rice cookers, woks, grills and griddles)
• For gas cooking facilities, a gas permit must be obtained from the BC Safety Authority. The stove is to be removed as well as all associated gas piping. A copy of the gas permit and the inspection report is to be submitted.
• For electrical cooking facilities, an electrical permit is required. The stove, hood fan and all associated wiring is to be removed. Proof of electrical permit and inspection is to be submitted. A building permit will be required for the re-sealing of the vapour barrier and building envelope.
• Removal of all kitchen plumbing and cabinetry.
• Please confirm with Building Inspections which permits are required.

Option 1: Permanently remove bathroom facilities

The requirements are:

• Permanent removal of all bathroom fixtures, including toilet, shower, bathtub, sink and vanity,
• A plumbing permit is required,
• All piping is to be properly capped and inspected.
• If the bathroom was installed without permits and the owner elects to keep the facilities, the owner must demonstrate that the construction is code compliant and permits must be obtained.

Option 2: Create opening(s) between the suite and principle dwelling

The requirements are:

• Permanent removal of any door(s) and door frame(s) between the suite area and the principle dwelling,
• Ensure the new opening has a minimum opening of 860 mm or is equal to the width of the existing corridor.
• Finish the opening with a finish material (drywall, wood or other code acceptable material). Any exterior walls will require the vapour barrier to be properly repaired and inspected.
• A smoke alarm will be required as per the BC Building Code.
• A building permit is required.

ATTACHMENTS: The Guide to Decommissioning Secondary Suites

RECORD OF AMENDMENTS