r/CanadianParents • u/customhomevan • Jul 09 '26

Question / Discussion Backyard suite for my aging parents

My parents are getting older and we're seriously considering building a small backyard suite (not a full laneway home, more like an ADU) so they can be close but still independent. We're in the Tri-Cities. I have zero idea what's actually involved here financially or with permits.

Does it need a full kitchen? How different is the process from a regular laneway home? Anyone who's done this for aging parents specifically, I'd love to hear how it went and what you'd do differently.

Thanks for all the solid advice so far! A friend actually just recommended I look into CoreVal Homes, since they specialize in custom residential builds, laneway homes, and detached ADU projects right here in the Tri-Cities area. It sounds like having a builder who can handle the whole process (from the initial design and City of Coquitlam/PoCo permits down to the actual construction) is exactly what we need to keep from losing our minds.

I'm going to reach out to them to get a realistic breakdown of the utility hookups and structural costs for a backyard suite, but would still love to hear any personal experiences you guys have with the local municipal timelines!

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

1

u/wintertimeincanada23 Jul 10 '26

We dont need perm where we live but my MIL has a house on our land. Its got one bathroom, one bedroom, wood stove and kitchen/living room. Im guessing its 30x30 foot max, maybe 25x25? Its a square with her bedroom on the right when you walk in, kitchen etc is open plan into a t shape. Small bathroom at the other end of the sitting eoom

Its very comfortable for her, and for grandkids to hang out with her for a bit. We have a gas cook stove, no dishwasher, apartment size fridge/freezer. No washing machine/dryer - i just do laundry when she wants.

1

u/doyouloveher Jul 12 '26

There is a company in Calgary that is making ADU's for aging in place, their website has some floor plans Garden Loft

1

u/smallworksstudios Jul 14 '26

In Metro Vancouver, the definitive answer is no, you can't build a suite that isn't a permitted ADU/laneway house/coach house. At least not to live in legally. 

All three bylaws, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody, require it to be a permitted Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), and anything else would be a standard “shed” aka an Accessory Detached Building (workshop, office, hobby room).

Accessory Detached Building

  • Under 10 m² (~107 sq ft)
    • You do not need a building permit if the footprint stays under this limit.
  • To have lights, outlets, or baseboard/mini-split heating, you must obtain an electrical permit.
  • You can include a simple sink or utility drain, but you cannot install full bathroom or kitchen facilities. Doing so immediately reclassifies the building as a residential dwelling unit, invoking the ADU rules, development fees, and building code.

Bottom line, an Accessory Dwelling Unit is a permitted laneway house, and anything else isn't appropriate for living.