Question 1

Can a secondary suite share a laundry room with the main house in NB or does it need its own hookups?

Accepted Answer

Sharing laundry between a secondary suite and the main house is permitted under the National Building Code — there's no requirement that each unit have its own dedicated laundry hookups. However, the practical and code considerations around how that shared space is set up matter quite a bit.

The key issue isn't laundry specifically — it's fire separation. Under the NBC 2020 (now in effect for new applications in NB as of May 1, 2025), a secondary suite must be separated from the main dwelling b

Question 2

Does a Moncton garden suite need its own septic system?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, no — a garden suite in Moncton will connect to the existing municipal sewer system, not a private septic system. Moncton is serviced by municipal wastewater infrastructure across the vast majority of its developed areas, so a garden suite (a detached secondary dwelling unit built on the same lot as a primary home) would typically tie into the same sewer lateral that serves the main house.

That said, there are a few important layers to work through before you start planning.

The

Question 3

Can I put a garden suite on a Riverview lot?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

What egress does a New Brunswick basement apartment need?

Accepted Answer

A basement apartment in New Brunswick requires at least one dedicated egress window in each bedroom, plus a separate exit from the unit itself — these aren't optional, they're life-safety requirements under the National Building Code of Canada 2020 (now mandatory for new applications in NB as of May 1, 2025).

Here's what the NBC requires for each bedroom in the secondary suite:

- Minimum opening area: 0.35 m² (about 3.8 sq ft)
- Minimum opening height: 380 mm (15 inches)
- Minimum opening widt

Question 5

Can i put a garden suite on my lot in Moncton if i already have a basement apartment — is two units allowed?

Accepted Answer

In Moncton, having a basement apartment already in place doesn't automatically block you from adding a garden suite — but whether two accessory units are permitted depends heavily on your specific zoning designation and lot characteristics.

Moncton's zoning bylaw has been evolving, and the city has been generally supportive of gentle densification. Most residential zones in Moncton permit at least one secondary suite (like your basement apartment), but stacking a garden suite on top of that — g

Question 6

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

Secondary Suites & ADUs