Secondary Suite Permit and Basement Suite Legalization in Vancouver BC

Legalize a suite 

Many Vancouver homeowners discover a permit is required when creating or legalizing a basement suite. A secondary suite is a self contained dwelling unit within a single family house and must meet life safety provisions of the Vancouver Building By law before it can be recognized by the municipality.

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Even when a suite already exists, the City may require a building permit to verify exiting, ceiling heights, fire separation, interconnected smoke alarms, and emergency escape windows. This commonly occurs during property sale, refinance, inspection complaint, or renovation.

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Archivolt prepares as built drawings, reviews existing conditions, and submits the permit application on behalf of the homeowner. We respond to plan review comments and revise drawings until the permit can be issued.

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What the City reviews for a secondary suite

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•Emergency egress windows
* Minimum ceiling heights
* Fire separation between floors
* Interconnected smoke alarms
* Independent cooking facilities
* Heating and ventilation
* Separate exterior access or exit path

 

When a permit is typically required

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* Converting a basement to a rental unit
* Legalizing an existing unauthorized suite
* Renovating a house with an existing suite
* Selling a property with a non registered suite
* After a City inspection notice

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What we provide

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* Existing condition measurements
* Architectural permit drawings
* Code compliance review
* Submission to the City of Vancouver
* Coordination with engineers where required
* Responses to plan checker comments

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Common issues we resolve

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* Insufficient window size for egress
* Low ceiling areas due to beams or ducts
* Stairs not meeting geometry requirements
* Missing smoke alarm interconnection
* Unverified previous renovations​​​​

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Serving Vancouver and the Lower Mainland

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* City of Vancouver
* North Vancouver

* West Vancouver 
* Burnaby
* Surrey
* Richmond
* New Westminster
- Coquitlam  & Port Coquitlam 

- Port Moody 

- Abbotsford & Fraser Valley ​

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Explore the possibilities with Archivolt.ca ...