lets say you have the kitchen/suite ... aside from "bringing it up to code/legalizing it" is there the option of going reverse? i.e. remove the stove plug and put in a cover plate...uninstall the hoodfan and plate it off...then you're left with a couple of rooms with a bathroom and a sink.

or would the inspector/city be like uh ya ... we know you're just going to put it back in after they leave so legalize it and bring it to code.

When I did my kitchen reno (completely stripped to subfloor and drywall, deleted a wall, moved almost all the electrical) the first inspector was in and out within 5 minutes (I assume they can tell from the drawings if a wall is structural since they didn't want to come til after it was demo'd) and the final inspection was less than 30 seconds (only thing he cared about was that I mudded the ceiling where the wall has been). Those could've been flukes or all inspections might be that basic, idk.

It means it's not a legal suite. A summer kitchen is supposed to be used by the same people that use the regular kitchen, it's just in the basement so using the oven isn't so hot etc. Whether anyone ever did that or if it was just a sneaky way to build an illegal suite I'm not sure. Same deal with "in-law" suites, legal for your family to stay in it, illegal to rent to tenants.

Can confirm.
That article is on point, I want to know who was in COV's pocket to get these ridiculous requirements instituted.
My wife works for a small shop here in Victoria that manufactures heritage style wood windows. If you have a heritage style house that isn't designated/registered heritage and you new a window or something, you're SOL to get a new one that matches your old.

Man, how pissy do your neighbors have to be to report window replacements?
I must be lucky, out in Saanich here no one seems to give a shit, people are easy going. I fed and wired my garage without a permit (Done 100% to code though, just didn't want the hassle)

I know it's not very helpful now but why didn't you ask yourself this question when the realtor was giving you his "summer kitchen" sales pitch...

i figure when you see only 1 address and 2 or 3 kitchen/suites you kinda know it's illegal...especially if it's in vancouver

just wait for the day your neighbor has a burned out tail light, and call em im.

maybe if your lucky, it will open a can of worms on their car. "cough" inspection "cough"