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Secondary suites in Nanaimo: checking existing permits and preparing new plans

Separate an existing suite’s approval status from a proposal to create or upgrade one.

VITD editorial team · Sources reviewed September 12, 2026

Utility charges do not prove a suite is authorized

Nanaimo’s secondary-suite permit page covers creating a suite and upgrading an existing one. It says owners can ask the building office whether a suite was permitted, and that paying additional utility charges does not establish that it is legal. The page also flags that its older suite guide is being updated.

Use the current application page and ask staff to confirm requirements for your property. Bring existing floor plans and identify any proposed changes to entrances or windows. Request quotes that distinguish confirmed work from allowances for changes identified during the City’s review, and clarify the inspection milestones before planning occupancy.

City of Nanaimo — Secondary suite permit ↗

A practical order of work

  1. 01

    Check feasibility first

    Collect existing drawings and ask the City about the property and proposed use. Record whether the project is a new suite or legalization of an existing space.

  2. 02

    Coordinate the design

    Ask the designer and relevant trades to identify building, plumbing, electrical and ventilation work before finishes are selected.

  3. 03

    Price the reviewed scope

    Get a written estimate showing confirmed work, allowances, exclusions and how changes will be authorized. Agree on inspections and completion milestones.

What should the quote include?

These are comparison headings, not a published local price estimate. Ask each business to separate the same costs and identify allowances and exclusions.

  • Drawings and permit fees
  • Building and access alterations
  • Plumbing and fixtures
  • Electrical and ventilation
  • Kitchen, bathroom and finishes
  • Contingency for concealed conditions

Three questions worth asking

  • Which items depend on approval or further investigation?
  • Who coordinates the trades and inspections?
  • What must be complete before the suite can be occupied?

Who can help in Nanaimo?

These are local directory matches by trade. Confirm experience with this specific type of project before hiring.

General Construction

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Plumbing Contractors

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Electrical Contractors

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Hvac Mechanical

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More planning guides for Nanaimo

Retaining wall permits in Nanaimo: height, foundations and design documents →Poly-B replacement in Nanaimo: plumbing permits, access and water downtime →

Sources and scope

This guide helps you prepare questions and compare work. Your municipality determines approvals for the property and proposed scope; confirm current requirements before starting.