Question 1

Do i need to provide off-street parking for a secondary suite tenant in Riverview or is street parking enough?

Accepted Answer

Parking requirements for secondary suites in Riverview are set by the Town's zoning bylaw, and in most cases at least one dedicated off-street parking space is required for a secondary suite — street parking alone typically doesn't satisfy the bylaw.

Riverview's zoning rules generally require that any additional dwelling unit on a residential property be supported by adequate off-street parking. The standard residential requirement in most NB municipalities is a minimum of one off-street space

Question 2

What fire separation upgrades are required to make an existing basement apartment legal in a Saint John home?

Accepted Answer

Converting an existing basement apartment to legal status in Saint John requires significant fire separation upgrades to meet National Building Code requirements. The city's building inspection department will require a building permit and full code compliance review before issuing occupancy approval.

The most critical upgrade is fire-rated separation between the units. You'll need minimum 45-minute fire-rated assemblies for all walls, floors, and ceilings that separate the basement suite from

Question 3

Does a secondary suite need its own electrical meter in New Brunswick or can i just split the NB Power bill?

Accepted Answer

You don't need a separate electrical meter for a secondary suite in New Brunswick — many landlords split a single NB Power bill between tenants or include electricity in the rent. However, installing a second meter is often worth considering for fairness and property value.

Single Meter Arrangements

Most secondary suites in New Brunswick operate on the main home's electrical service with one NB Power account. You can handle billing several ways: include utilities in the rent (most common), es

Secondary Suites & ADUs

Do i need to provide off-street parking for a secondary suite tenant in Riverview or is street parking enough?

What fire separation upgrades are required to make an existing basement apartment legal in a Saint John home?

Does a secondary suite need its own electrical meter in New Brunswick or can i just split the NB Power bill?