Secondary Suites | City of Delta

Secondary suites provide rental housing and contribute to the amount and diversity of housing available in Delta, while preserving the character of residential neighbourhoods.

What You Need to Know

Secondary suites must meet the regulations of Delta's Zoning Bylaw and the BC Building Code, but are permitted in most single detached houses in Delta.
Only one secondary suite may be permitted per single detached dwelling. Secondary suites cannot be strata-titled or sold, but can be used for family or as long term rental units.
Every secondary suite must be provided with an on-site parking space.
Secondary suites are not allowed in duplexes.
Some properties may have prohibitions for secondary suites on title within a restrictive covenant or land use contract. Owners considering applying for a secondary suite should review all documents on title. A pre-requisite development application may be required to amend or discharge a covenant or land use contract.
If you have questions about eligibility for or how to legalize a secondary suite, contact the Application Centre at cpd@delta.ca or 604-946-3380.

Constructing or Legalizing a Secondary Suite

All applications to install or legalize an existing secondary suite will require a building permit issued through the Community Planning & Development Department. Secondary suites may also require a rental permit or a non-rental annual declaration.

The requirements to legalize a secondary suite through a building permit application to the Community Planning & Development Department include:
- Site plan including calculations for front yard landscaping and impermeable area
- Floor plans
- Elevations if exterior sides affected
- Cross-section
See the Building Permit Application Guide for Renovations for a Secondary Suite for more detailed information.
Owners who are generating rental income from their secondary suite are required to hold a rental permit. A rental permit will only be issued once all applicable permits required in legalizing the suite have been obtained. To submit a Secondary Suite Rental Permit Application, see the Secondary Suite Rental Permit Application Form.
Please note that rental permits are non-transferable, non-refundable and void on change of ownership.
Properties that have a secondary suite are required to have a water meter installed, as this is the most equitable way to charge for utility usage, on a user pay-as-you go basis. Almost all of Delta’s industrial, commercial and agricultural properties now have water meters installed. Once a water meter is installed, water and sewer will be charged quarterly based on consumption, rather than being charged annual flat rates for water and sewer.
Delta accepts Secondary Suite Non Rental Annual Declarations for properties with secondary suites that meet both of the following criteria:
- the property owner lives on the property as their principal residence; and
- the property is not generating rental income of any kind.
By signing the declaration, a property owner is acknowledging that they have a secondary suite on their property, but are not generating rental income from their property. If you are generating rental income from the property, you are not eligible to sign a Secondary Suite Non Rental Annual Declaration. Once a declaration is signed and approved, Delta’s Finance Department waives the flat rate utilities for the secondary suite.
Declarations are not processed before the flat rate utility bills are generated. Allow at least four to six weeks for us to process your declaration. Due to large call and email volumes, we are not able to notify you when the declaration has been processed. Please log into your MyCity account to see when the processing is completed. If you do not have a MyCity account, please visit Delta Online to register for one.

Unauthorized Secondary Suites

Secondary Suite Search

Use the tool below to search for Delta properties with a valid Secondary Suite Permit to rent the Secondary Suite.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided by this inquiry is for general information and convenience purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, the City of Delta makes no representations or warranties about the completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability of the information for your purposes.