Additional Dwelling Unit Charges for User Rates

FAQ for Additional Dwelling Unit Charges

• What does User Rates consider to be an additional dwelling unit?

  For billing purposes, an additional dwelling unit is defined as, "a habitable room consisting of a self-contained unit with a separate entrance for the residential accommodation of only one family and contains a cooking facility but excludes all accommodation for the travelling public”.  It will normally have a separate entrance and its own bathroom and cooking facilities that are utilized separately from the main dwelling. 

• If I am being billed additional dwelling unit charges on my user rates bill, does that mean my additional unit is considered to be officially legal or authorized?

  No, being billed additional charges does not confirm that a unit is considered to be legal or authorized.  To learn more about additional dwelling units, our Citizen's Guide to Secondary Suites can be viewed online. If you have questions regarding the status of your unit, you can contact Building Inspections by email at building.inspections@nanaimo.ca or phone at 250-755-4429.

• I am a new owner. How do I know if I’m being charged for an additional dwelling unit?

  When ownership changes on a property with a history of having an additional unit, a letter is sent to the new owner requesting confirmation of whether they intend to utilize the unit or not.  If no response is received by the deadline indicated in the letter, additional user rates charges will be started automatically.

  If you are being billed for an additional unit, your user rates bill will show charge lines indicating 2 or more units of sewer (if applicable) and garbage instead of 1 unit.

• I am not renting out the additional unit in my home, but a relative is living in it and using all of the amenities separate from the rest of the house. Can I apply to have the additional  charges removed?

  If an immediate family member resides in the additional unit, you may qualify for an exemption from additional dwelling unit charges by completing the Exemption From Additional User Rates Charges Form.  An "immediate family member" means a spouse, child, sibling, step-sibling, half-sibling, parent, or stepparent of the property owner living in the property as their principal residence.  

• If I am no longer utilizing my additional dwelling unit, can I keep the larger cart sizes?

  Please contact the User Rates office for more information about cart options. 

  Note: Additional exchange fees may apply for cart exchanges requested. Please see the cart exchange page for details.

• I am building a new house with a suite or adding a suite to an existing house. When are charges added?

  Garbage and sewer charges, including suite fees, are added when a new house passes the occupancy inspection.  For a suite addition, the extra garbage and sewer fees will start once it passes final inspection.