The Government of British Columbia is implementing changes to allow for more low-rise, multi-family residential developments. These changes override municipal government control over zoning and aim to reform review and approval processes. The new policy, termed “small-scale, multi-unit” buildings, will apply to municipal jurisdictions with a population of over 5,000 residents. It allows for up to three units on single-family lots smaller than 280 sq metres and up to four units on larger lots. Lots in close proximity to public transit stops may permit up to six units.

Municipalities must update their zoning bylaws to enable this densification. The provincial government’s policy will catalyze an estimated 130,000 additional homes over the next decade. Public hearings for rezoning applications will be eliminated, and input from the public will be sought during the Official Community Plan public consultation process. The legislation does not apply to the City of Vancouver, which is working on reforming its own public hearing procedures. The government has set aside funds to support municipalities in meeting the new density requirements. Additional legislation to support transit-oriented development and other housing measures will be announced in the future.

The Details of Up To 6 Homes On Single-Family Lots

The Government of British Columbia is making big changes to allow more low-rise, multi-family homes to be built. They call these types of buildings “small-scale, multi-unit” buildings, like townhomes, multiplexes, and laneway homes.

This is part of a plan to give the provincial government more control over zoning and approval processes that cities currently handle. They first proposed this plan earlier this year, and now they are introducing the legislation.

The new policy for small-scale, multi-unit buildings on single-family lots will apply to cities with more than 5,000 residents, which includes most of the province.

For lots that are currently zoned for single-family or duplex homes, if the lot is smaller than 280 square meters (3,014 square feet), it can have up to three units. If the lot is bigger than 280 square meters, it can have up to four units.

For bigger lots that are close to public transit stops with frequent service, up to six units may be allowed.

Municipal governments will need to update their zoning bylaws to allow for this type of development in their single-family neighborhoods. Some cities like Vancouver and Victoria have already made their own rules to allow more units on single-family lots, and those rules will still be valid. However, cities covered by this legislation cannot have rules that allow for fewer units than what the province requires.

Premier David Eby said that the current zoning rules make it hard for people to find a place to live in the communities they love. They are not building enough small-scale, multi-unit homes that fit into existing neighborhoods and give people more housing options. That’s why they are taking action to fix the rules and build more homes for people.

BC Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon added that this legislation will make communities stronger and help address the housing crisis.

By the end of 2023, the provincial government will release a policy manual with more information about the specific rules and requirements for building these types of homes. This will include things like how far the building needs to be from the property line and how tall it can be. It was also mentioned that there will be no minimum requirements for parking spaces if the property is within 400 meters of frequent public transit.

Municipal governments have until June 30, 2024, to update their rules. In September 2023, the City of Vancouver approved its own policy to allow up to six homes on a single-family lot.

It is estimated that this new policy could lead to the construction of 130,000 additional homes in small-scale, multi-unit buildings across BC over the next 10 years.

The legislation will also eliminate the need for public hearings for some rezoning applications. Instead, there will be more opportunities for the public to give their input during the process of updating the city’s long-term plan for development. This plan will now cover 20 years instead of just five, and it will have to include policies that encourage family-sized homes, rental homes, and affordable homes.

The government has set aside $51 million to help cities make the necessary changes, and $10 million for a program to support local governments with development approvals.

The new directives from the government will also help cities meet their targets for building new homes.

The government will announce more legislation before the end of 2023 to support development near public transit and other housing-related measures. They will also provide funding for infrastructure and amenities to support densification and population growth.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said that the city is excited to support the province’s initiative to build more homes for people who need them. The city has already simplified its zoning rules and reduced the time it takes to approve permits to encourage more housing. This new legislation is another step in the right direction.

Summary

The Government of British Columbia is introducing legislation to enable more low-rise, multi-family residential developments, including townhomes, multiplexes, and laneway homes. The policy will apply to municipal jurisdictions with a population of over 5,000 residents and will require municipal governments to update their zoning bylaws to enable gentle densification in their single-family neighbourhoods. The legislation’s covered municipalities may choose to allow higher densities, but their bylaws cannot have fewer allowed units than what the province mandates. The legislation will also eliminate public hearings for site-by-site rezoning or spot-rezoning that align with the municipality’s Official Community Plan. The policy could catalyze 130,000 additional homes within new small-scale, multi-unit buildings across BC over the next 10 years.

The provincial government of British Columbia in Canada has announced new legislation that will require municipalities to allow for more small-scale, multi-unit housing developments in residential areas. Municipalities will need to update their Official Community Plans and zoning bylaws by the end of 2025 to meet the new density requirements. The government has set aside a $51 million fund to support municipalities with the required changes. The City of Vancouver, which operates under a separate charter, will not be subject to the proposed changes but is working with the provincial government on reforming its public hearing procedures. The government will also announce more legislation to support transit-oriented development and other housing-related measures before the end of 2023.

The Government of British Columbia has introduced new legislation to encourage high-density, transit-oriented development in the areas surrounding major transit hubs, including SkyTrain stations and bus exchanges. This move aims to combat the housing affordability and supply crisis by increasing residential density and ridership on public transit. The legislation requires municipal governments to allow minimum residential building heights of up to 20 storeys within 200 meters of a SkyTrain station, with lower heights permitted at greater distances.

The legislation also establishes minimum floor area ratio (FAR) density requirements, with higher FARs closer to transit hubs. Municipalities must change their policies for transit-oriented development areas by June 30, 2024, and are encouraged to approve higher densities and heights. Additionally, the legislation eliminates minimum vehicle parking requirements within these areas to reduce construction costs, speed up development, and promote public transit ridership. The government expects this legislation to result in around 100,000 new homes near transit hubs over the next decade.

The Details of Up To 20 Storeys Close To Every SkyTrain Station & Up To 12 Storeys Close To Bus Interchanges

New legislation has been introduced in British Columbia to promote high-density, transit-oriented development. The Government of BC aims to increase residential density around major transit hubs, specifically SkyTrain stations and bus exchanges. This move is intended to address the housing affordability and supply crisis, as well as boost ridership on TransLink and BC Transit.

There are exceptions to the new regulations, which will only apply to residential or mixed-use residential land uses. Commercial, agricultural, and industrial land uses, as well as First Nations reserve lands and airports, are not included. The specifics of these policies were previously unknown but have now been clarified.

For SkyTrain stations in Metro Vancouver, municipalities will be required to allow minimum residential building heights of up to 20 storeys within 200 meters of a station, up to 12 storeys between 201 and 400 meters from a station, and up to eight storeys between 401 meters and 800 meters from a station.

The number of new homes that can be built near these transit hubs will also be determined by the floor area ratio (FAR) density, which is the calculation of a building’s total floor area in relation to the land it covers.

The minimum FAR will vary depending on the distance from the SkyTrain station, with a minimum FAR of 5. for distances up to 200 meters, 4. for distances between 201 and 400 meters, and 3. for distances between 401 meters and 800 meters.

Similar rules will apply to areas near bus exchanges in Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, and Kelowna, with slightly lower minimum FAR density requirements.

Municipalities will be required to change their policies for these areas by June 30, 2024, but can choose to approve higher densities and building heights if they meet the minimum requirements set by the provincial government. The legislation also eliminates minimum vehicle parking requirements within these transit-oriented development areas to lower construction costs, speed up construction, reduce emissions, and encourage public transit usage.

Municipalities can now determine the amount of residential vehicle parking needed based on demand. The provincial government anticipates that around 100 transit-oriented development areas will be designated by approximately 30 cities across BC in the first year of the new legislation, potentially resulting in the construction of 100,000 new homes near transit hubs over the next decade.

This legislation is seen as a way to make housing projects financially viable for builders and non-profit developers by offsetting high land costs. It will also support TransLink and the provincial government’s plans to develop under-utilized properties and acquired lands near public transit.

The legislation aligns with the provincial government’s efforts to meet new housing supply targets by providing municipalities with specific deadlines to change their policies and streamline the rezoning process. Overall, these measures aim to promote the development of affordable and connected communities while leveraging public lands for housing.

Wrapping Up

New legislation has been introduced by the British Columbian government to permit high-density, transit-oriented development in the vicinity of major transit hubs, including bus exchanges and SkyTrain stations. The minimum residential building heights that local governments permit will be up to 20 storeys for locations that are 200 meters or less from a station, 12 storeys for locations that are 201 to 400 meters from a station, and 8 storeys for locations that are 401 to 800 meters away from a station. With more people using TransLink and BC Transit, the bill seeks to address the affordability and supply issues in housing. Within the first year of the new law’s implementation, the provincial government anticipates that about 100 transit-oriented development areas surrounding transit hubs will be designated in about 30 cities throughout British Columbia.

The provincial government in British Columbia has introduced legislation to encourage transit-oriented development, which could lead to the construction of up to 100,000 new homes near transport hubs over the next 10 years. Municipalities will be required to meet minimum standards set by the government, but will be able to approve higher densities and building heights at their discretion. The legislation is expected to make projects financially viable for builders and non-profit developers, while also supporting TransLink’s real estate development division and the government’s $400m strategy of buying land next to public transport for housing.