Surrey to legalize basement suites

City councillors in Surrey, B.C., voted unanimously on Monday night to allow secondary suites in residential homes, heralding the end of one of the longest running civic debates in the city's history.

Councillor Judy Villeneuve said a poll of city residents showed most were in favour of a bylaw allowing basement suites, and other mortgage helpers

Council now expects the new bylaw will be introduced in the fall.

"This discussion has been in our city for close to 35 years. And I think we have come to a conclusion along with community support that everyone is happy about. And I think to that it is a policy and a bylaw that will allow tenants as well to be better protected," said Villeneave.