Cranbrook council approved an extension to the secondary suite grace period until 2027.
The grace period was originally allowed in 2023 due to external factors including COVID-19 and its impacts on material costs and supply chains.
The city still isn’t seeing a large uptake of secondary suites and decided to extend it for another two years.
The policy requires a building permit and occupancy permit to legalize secondary suites and they will enforce compliance.
Mayor Wayne Price says whether a suite is legal or not, the homeowner still has to meet code requirements.
“A word to building owners that are out there that do have illegal secondary suites, there are BC building code requirements,” he said.
“Whether or not you’re legal or illegal, if something serious happens in your suite you will be liable whether we know about it or not. The city has been more than fair to work with you.”
Landlords and owners will be exempt from paying building permit fees, development charge fees and utility fees during this grace period.
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