Can I put a garden suite on a Riverview lot?

Garden suites (also called backyard suites or accessory dwelling units) are possible in Riverview, but whether yours qualifies depends entirely on your specific lot and zoning designation.

Riverview is an incorporated municipality, so building permits and zoning approvals go through the Town of Riverview Development Services — visit townofriverview.ca for current contact details and to confirm what's permitted on your property before you spend a dime on design.

The first thing to check is your zoning designation. Riverview has a mix of residential zones, and not all of them permit garden suites or secondary suites as-of-right. Some zones allow them with conditions; others may require a variance or may not permit them at all. Riverview's zoning bylaw has been evolving alongside New Brunswick's broader push to increase housing density, so it's worth calling Development Services directly to get a current answer for your specific civic address.

Assuming your zoning checks out, here's what you're looking at from a regulatory standpoint. A garden suite is a separate structure, which means you'll need a building permit from the Town of Riverview. Since May 1, 2025, all new construction in New Brunswick must meet the National Building Code of Canada 2020, Tier 2 energy efficiency — meaning higher insulation values, better air sealing, and improved windows are mandatory from the start, not optional upgrades.

Beyond the building permit, a garden suite triggers several other requirements:

• Electrical: A licensed electrical contractor must pull a wiring permit through NB Power (1-800-615-0522) before any wiring begins. Final inspection is done by NB Dept. of Justice and Public Safety — Technical Inspection Services (TIS) at 1-888-659-3222.
• Plumbing: If the suite has a bathroom or kitchen, a licensed plumber must obtain a plumbing permit through TIS.
• Septic/sewer: Connecting a new dwelling unit to an existing municipal sewer system may require a separate service connection approval from the town. If your lot is on a private septic system, adding a second dwelling unit almost certainly means upgrading your septic capacity — TIS handles sewage permits at 1-844-249-6533.

On the physical requirements, the NBC sets minimums for any secondary dwelling: minimum ceiling height of 1.95m (6'5"), egress windows in all bedrooms, interconnected smoke and CO alarms, and a minimum 45-minute fire separation between units if the suite shares any wall with the main structure. A freestanding garden suite simplifies the fire separation question considerably.

Cost-wise, a modest garden suite in the Riverview/Greater Moncton area typically runs $150,000–$300,000+ depending on size, finishes, and whether you're connecting new services or tying into existing ones. Site prep, foundation, and utility connections are often where costs surprise people. Prefab or modular garden suite options can reduce construction time but don't eliminate permit requirements.

One practical tip: talk to Riverview Development Services before hiring anyone. Get written confirmation that your lot and zone permit a garden suite, understand any setback requirements (from property lines, the main dwelling, and any easements), and ask about maximum square footage. That conversation costs you nothing and could save you from an expensive redesign.

Once you're ready to move forward, the New Brunswick Construction Network can connect you with licensed general contractors in the Riverview area who've navigated this process before.