Coach House Builder in Burnaby (2026)
The Benefits of Building a Secondary Home?
Suppose you are looking to create a bit more space on your property. In Burnaby, having a coach house built on your property can provide a number of different opportunities. For some homeowners, this means providing a home for their parents. For others, this means providing a home for an adult child or generating long-term rental income.
These homes are often referred to as coach houses, carriage houses, and laneway houses. Regardless of the name, the important questions are always the same. What can you build on your property? How much will it cost? And will the home meet your family's needs?
If you are considering hiring a coach house builder in Burnaby, it helps to know the new rules that took effect in 2026, in order to plan your design accordingly.
What is a Coach House?
A coach house is defined as a smaller detached house on a property that also has a larger, or main, house. Coach houses are usually located on the rear of a property.
In Burnaby, the city no longer uses the term "laneway home" in their zoning regulations. Instead, they now refer to these homes as principal residential buildings. The city allows these types of building forms on lots that do not have a rear lane.
This only affects the way you plan your project. The name you give a building does not necessarily determine if it can be built on a specific property.
What Changed for Coach Houses in Burnaby in 2026?
The new Burnaby Zoning Bylaw came into effect on July 1, 2026. Changes were made to incorporate amendments to the provincial housing legislation and to create a new framework for small-scale multi-unit housing.
One of the important changes for homeowners is the ability to have a greater range of options to create a more varied residential building on eligible lots.
As per the R1 Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing District regulations, allowed uses can include detached homes and other multi-unit housing, cottage courts and clusters, and rowhouses. The regulations also provide for other multi-unit housing forms and building designs at the rear of a lot, subject to the relevant regulations.
The changes do not necessarily mean that coach houses and other multi-unit housing can now be built on all residential lots.
The permitted use, design, and width of buildings and the total number of housing units will be determining factors, along with other site constraints.
Reasons to Build a Coach House
There are many reasons to build a coach house. One of the most practical reasons is to keep family members close while enabling everyone to have some degree of independence.
Adult children may no longer want to share a kitchen and living room with their parents. A growing family may want to provide housing for an elder relative, and another family may want to provide housing for an adult child who has returned to live with them.
A detached dwelling provides a level of privacy that may not be possible with a suite within the main house.
A detached dwelling may provide a number of features including:
- A private entrance.
- An independent kitchen and bathroom.
- Independent living and sleeping areas.
- Outdoor seating.
- A design suitable for a single or two occupants.
When planning a detached coach house, there are a number of elements to consider. In addition to the number of rooms, consideration needs to be given to the separation of sounds, storage, and the degree of privacy between the two dwellings.
A well-planned coach house should provide the occupant with the sense that they have their own home.
Rental Income
Some homeowners see a coach house as a way to provide long-term rental property. A detached coach house may suit tenants who want to rent a separate living area and an independent entrance without having to rent a large, detached house. For homeowners, the rental income may help to subsidize the costs of building and maintaining the property.
While rental income can help offset construction costs, it shouldn't be expected to cover the entire cost.
There are a number of other expenses that you must take into account. These include but are not limited to: the costs associated with the design and obtaining of building permits; the costs of construction financing; the costs of connecting the property to utilities and of insuring, maintaining and operating the property. You should also consider how the construction of the additional dwelling could impact your property taxes and insurance.
Burnaby has specific rules and regulations regarding secondary suites and rental properties. It is important to confirm the applicable rules and regulations that relate to the proposed use of the building.
You should prepare a realistic rental budget, instead of relying on an optimistic budget, to determine the rental income that you can expect to receive.
Could You Build Without a Rear Lane?
This is an important question for homeowners whose properties do not back onto a lane.
Under Burnaby's R1 Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing District framework, qualifying housing forms can be constructed on properties that do not have a rear lane. This means that building forms that are commonly referred to as Laneway Housing are still permitted, subject to the relevant regulations.
Changes to the district regulations mean homeowners shouldn't automatically discard the idea of building a separate home if their property doesn't have lane access.
A number of design and site servicing constraints still need to be considered. The most appropriate design and site constraints can be determined by a qualified design professional, in conjunction with an experienced and qualified builder.
You should start with a site assessment to determine the physical limits of your property before you commit to a floor plan.
Setbacks, existing buildings and trees, and easements can all impact the buildable area of the backyard. Drainage and required access ways may also affect the buildable area.
Other considerations may include:
- The maximum number of dwelling units permitted on the lot.
- Height and lot coverage of the buildings.
- Separation distance between the buildings on the lot.
- Servicing for sewer, water and other utilities.
- Protection of trees on the site and landscape.
- Site access during construction.
- Any environmental or heritage limitations.
Burnaby recommends property owners confirm their site's zoning and identify any site constraints prior to construction. The City's website provides information for those considering the construction of a new home, including details on the process and important factors to consider for a specific property.
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This early consideration can help save time. It is better to locate constraints during the planning stage rather than during the detailed design or construction stage.
Design the Main Home and Coach House Together
A coach house is more than a second building on the lot. The placement and design of the coach house can impact the use of the entire property.
Exterior design takes the new structure into account as well. The new building should compliment the main residence, but not replicate it.
At 88 Homes, building planning means considering the integration of buildings and spaces outside, as well as the daily movement and connections of people within a development. This is particularly valuable with a multi-family property.
All 88 homes are built to be comfortable, energy efficient, and durable.
B.C.'s climate makes moisture management an important consideration when building. The design and construction of roofing, windows, and exterior walls should be combined with flashing and drainage to help protect a building from the elements.
Ventilation and the overall building envelope should be designed and constructed to work in conjunction with each other to create a comfortable indoor environment.
Homeowners should discuss applicable energy and carbon performance with their design and construction team to help reduce their home's carbon footprint.
While incorporating and meeting current guidelines to help the home adapt to changing regulations, there are many other material choices and building techniques that can not only improve the air quality but also the comfort of the home as well.
88 Homes takes a similar approach to building practices and materials. Emphasis is placed on comfort and sustainability with buildings that meet current building codes and regulations, going beyond the norm to produce homes that serve the occupants and the community in a positive way for many years.
A coach house project requires an understanding of construction costs and zoning by-laws.
The overall cost will be impacted by several factors, including the design, size, site preparation and location of the building, type of foundation, the materials and systems selected, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, utility connections, and the level of finish. Difficult access or on-site conditions can increase the cost of the project.
Your project budget needs to include costs for professional design and engineering services, permitting, construction, inspections, and site improvements/landscaping.
Burnaby requires residential building permit applications to be submitted electronically via their My Permits Portal. Your project may also require other development approvals and reviews. The construction of a new home may require additional inspections, and approvals before it can be occupied.
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Ask your builder to provide you with a detailed written agreement to explain payment terms and provide a projected construction timeline. The agreement should explain how design changes and other project changes will impact the cost and schedule.
Choose the Right Coach House Builder in Burnaby
It is a good idea to meet with several potential builders to learn how they assess a site and schedule a project and how they handle quality control, communication, and the coordination of various trades on your project.
88 Homes offers home construction services in Burnaby and Vancouver, specializing in custom design-build construction with a focus on planning and sustainability. The first step in creating the built environment is understanding the client's goals and the site. This provides a clear path from the first concept to the final finished building.
Is a Coach House Right for You?
A coach house provides great flexibility and can be used for extended family or additional living space or to generate rental income. The best solution for you also depends on your housing form and what is permitted under Burnaby's current zoning laws.
The main things to consider before deciding on a design are what you can build on your lot, coming up with a realistic budget, and considering the impact the new coach house will have on the main residence and your backyard.
Homeowners in Burnaby interested in a coach house in 2026 should start with a site assessment, understand what is permitted under Burnaby zoning, and have a discussion with a reliable construction team. With good planning, an addition to your property can serve your family for many years.
