Your Guide to
ADUs in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Squamish & Gibsons
Laneway Houses • Coach Houses • Fast Modular Builds
Your ADU Guide
Practical, local guidance so you can plan the right ADU — and avoid the predictable surprises.
You’re probably here because you want more space without moving.
- a rental suite to offset the mortgage
- a place for parents
- a home for grown-up kids
- or a flexible space
And then the worry kicks in:
- Is my lot even eligible?
- How close can I build to the property line?
- Will I lose half my yard for a year?
- Is modular going to look like a big box dropped in my backyard?
We’re here to save you weeks of questions and help you avoid the few predictable issues that derail most ADU projects.
Quick rules by area
High-level starting points only. Always confirm zoning and servicing for your exact lot.
| Location | Common ADU type | High-level size rule | STR note (high-level) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | Laneway house | Floor area ≤ min(0.25 × site area, 186 m²) (Zoning By-law Section 11) | STR rules are strict; laneway houses, basement suites, or secondary suites: you can only rent these if you live in that specific unit (not the main house). (vancouver.ca) |
| Squamish | ADU / Carriage house | ADU gross floor area ≤ 90 m²; if above garage: structure ≤ 180 m², habitable ≤ 90 m² (squamish.ca) | Squamish states ADUs aren’t permitted for short-term rentals (squamish.ca) |
| City of North Vancouver | Coach house | Can be used for family or rental; cannot be stratified (CNV coach house page) | STRs can only be operated in your principal residence, plus one additional unit (e.g., an authorized secondary suite, or a coach house) on the same property. (cnv.org) |
| District of North Vancouver | Coach house | DNV has its own guide + variance pathway if you don’t comply (DNV guide) | STRs can only be operated in your principal residence, plus one additional unit (e.g., an authorized secondary suite, or a coach house) on the same property. |
| Gibsons | Garden suite | ≤ 14% of lot area, to max 90 m²; second storey limits apply (Garden Suite Guide) | Gibsons has a Residential Guest Accommodation program + licensing (gibsons.ca) |
VancouverLaneway • Size + STR▾
SquamishADU • 90 m² cap▾
City of North VancouverCoach house • process▾
District of North VancouverCoach house • guide▾
Type: Coach house
Process: Guide + variance pathway if you don’t comply
STR: Principal residence + one additional unit (program rules apply).
GibsonsGarden suite • 14%▾
Quick size conversion: 90 m² × 10.7639 = 968.75 sq ft → ≈ 969 sq ft
The 6 ADU issues that cause the most stress (and how we avoid them)
If these are handled early, approvals and construction are dramatically smoother.
1Windows near property lines▾
Fire exposure rules can limit windows/doors on walls close to lot lines.
Plain-English spatial separation explainer
2Electrical capacity▾
ADUs often trigger panel/service upgrades with modern loads (heat, hot water, EV).
3Sewer connection▾
Most tie into the existing building sewer, but slope/depth can require a lift station.
4Access & disruption▾
Backyard access, staging, and crane constraints can drive timeline and cost.
5“Modular = box” myth▾
Modern modular/panelized can do real architecture — rooflines, offsets, premium cladding.
6Skipping pre-construction▾
The fastest builds come from decisions made before permit submission and fabrication.
Proven expertise you can build on
ADUs work best when they’re designed and built by a team that understands complex sites, tight regulations, and high-performance construction.
-
10+ luxury custom homes completed
Delivered across the Sea to Sky region (2006–2024) -
5 carriage houses delivered
Integrated into existing residential properties -
Deep renovation & architectural concrete experience
Complex builds, constrained sites, and structural upgrades
-
Multiple construction methods
Traditional wood framing, prefab panelized, modular, and ICF construction -
Collaborations with award-winning architects
Design-driven projects that still pass approvals smoothly -
Local, long-term experience
Proudly delivering efficient, high-quality homes across the Sea to Sky region
The “low-stress” ADU path
If your goal is to avoid rework and surprise costs, this is the sequencing that works.
1Quick feasibility (remote)▾
- Likely size + placement options
- Early red flags: windows near lot lines, servicing, access
- Realistic build approaches: site-built vs panelized vs modular
2Pre-construction planning (where you save the money)▾
- Lock the siting strategy
- Lock the window / fire separation strategy
- Confirm servicing routes (power + sewer + water)
- Permit-ready direction so you don’t pay twice for design
3Build with the right method▾
Next step: a free remote lot assessment
We’ll answer:
- What’s likely allowed
- Where it can fit
- What could drive cost
FAQs
Quick answers to the most common questions homeowners ask.
How big can a Vancouver laneway house be?
How big can an ADU be in Squamish?
Why do ADU window layouts change near the property line?
Can I STR (Airbnb) an ADU in Squamish?
What is a garden suite in Gibsons?
Not sure what’s possible on your lot?
Before you spend time or money on design, start with a quick reality check.
Book a Free Remote Lot Assessment