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

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 per dwelling unit, meaning your primary residence plus the secondary suite would need at least two off-street spaces total on the property. Relying solely on street parking for your tenant would likely put you offside with the Town's development requirements.

That said, the exact number can depend on a few variables — the specific zoning designation your property falls under, the size of the suite, and whether your lot can physically accommodate additional parking without encroaching on required setbacks or green space. Riverview has been updating its planning framework as part of New Brunswick's 2023 Local Governance Reform, so it's worth confirming the current bylaw language directly rather than assuming older rules still apply.

The practical concern here goes beyond just compliance. If you rent a secondary suite without meeting parking requirements, you could face issues when the Town discovers the suite during a routine inspection or a neighbour complaint — and that could put your ability to rent the unit at all in jeopardy.

Your best move is to call Riverview Development Services directly (check townofriverview.ca for current contact info) and ask two things: first, whether your property's zoning permits a secondary suite at all, and second, what the off-street parking requirement is for your specific lot. Bring your civic address — they can look up your zoning on the spot. If you're close to meeting the parking requirement but need to add a gravel or paved pad, that's a relatively straightforward project a local contractor can handle quickly.

Once you've confirmed zoning and parking compliance, you'll also need a building permit from Riverview for the suite itself if it hasn't been formally permitted yet — and the suite will need to meet NBC requirements for egress, fire separation, smoke and CO alarms, and minimum ceiling height (1.95m). Find licensed contractors to help with any suite upgrades through the New Brunswick Construction Network directory.