The District of Highlands will be seeking public input on how to regulate the growing number of secondary suites popping up throughout the municipality.
Council voted earlier this week to host an open house on potential regulations for secondary suites.
“We’re going to take it to the public and get their input,” Mayor Ken Williams said. “It’s going to be high level to start, mostly land use. How many people per lot? How many [secondary suites] will be allowed? Those kinds of ideas.”
Secondary suites (not to be confused with short-term vacation rental such as AirBnB) are an additional dwelling unit located in a residential building with only one other dwelling, located in a building that is a single-family home, and/or has a total floor space of not more than 968 square feet.
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Secondary suites are not permitted under current zoning regulations. However, a staff report estimates approximately 30 to 50 per cent of properties have some form of unauthorized secondary suite or additional unapproved dwellings.
Williams noted with housing prices around the West Shore skyrocketing, many families are getting creative with their living situations – whether that be through multi-generational units or aging in place – as well as secondary suites.
“Council’s major concerns are safety standards and health standards,” he said.
“Families are dealing with the new reality of the cost of housing … The whole discussion was around a greater flexibility socially and economically for people being that the investment costs are so cumbersome for most people.”
The open house will hopefully take place before or after summer.
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