Provincial legislation to fix outdated zoning rules and create more small-scale, multi-unit homes (row homes, triplexes and townhouses) has now been adopted into local bylaws, or will soon be adopted, by nearly 90% of communities throughout B.C., paving the way for more housing options for middle income people and families.
“People expect governments to work together to tackle the housing crisis and provide more homes for people,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “We are encouraged that the vast majority of local governments have worked hard to adopt much-needed provincial legislation to fix old zoning rules and deliver the types of homes that people need.”
Out of 188 local governments in B.C., 162 have now adopted the small-scale, multi-unit legislation by passing local bylaws, with another nine communities actively working to adopt the legislation.
Local governments were required to make changes to zoning bylaws by June 30, 2024, to allow either a minimum of one secondary suite or detached accessory dwelling unit; a minimum of three to four dwelling units; or a minimum of six dwelling units in areas near bus stops with frequent transit service, depending on location.
Fifteen communities have requested a formal extension on adopting the legislation beyond the June 30 deadline. Those requests are being reviewed by the Province. Two communities, the District of Wells and the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, have been granted an extension due to recent or current impacts of wildfire and evacuation orders.
One community, the District of West Vancouver, rejected passing by-law amendments and are currently not in compliance with small-scale multi-unit housing. This community has been sent 30-day non-compliance notice. At the end of that 30-days, a Ministerial order could be issued.
A full listing of bylaw compliance and requested extensions by community is available in Backgrounders 1-3.
In the coming months, the Province will evaluate the implementation of the legislation by local governments will to ensure its success in helping to deliver more small-scale, multi-unit homes, such as row homes, triplexes and townhouses, in communities throughout B.C.
In November 2023, the Province passed new housing legislation to help deliver more small scale, multi-unit housing in communities throughout British Columbia. In December 2023, the Province also provided local governments with regulations and a policy manual to support the implementation of the legislation with a deadline for local governments to amend local bylaws by June 30, 2024.
Small-scale multi-unit housing creates more options for the kinds of housing people are looking for, whether seniors looking to downsize while staying in their neighbourhoods, or young families searching for more attainable homes with outdoor spaces for pets, children and gardens.
This initiative is part of the Province’s Homes for People action plan to deliver more homes in B.C., building on its historic $19-billion housing investment. Since 2017, the Province has nearly 80,000 homes that have been delivered or are underway for people in B.C.
Quick Facts:
• There are 161 municipalities and 27 Regional Districts currently operating in B.C. As of July 23, 162 local governments have passed compliant bylaws and seven more are actively working towards compliance.
• If local governments were facing extraordinary circumstances like local states of emergency or needed to address pressing infrastructure deficiencies, they were able to apply for an extension to the June 30 compliance deadline.
• If extension applications are rejected, local governments will have 90 days from the date of the rejection letter to comply and implement updated bylaws.
• The Ministry of Housing retained a group of leading economic and planning experts to analyze what impacts the new framework for more SSMU homes and designed Transit Oriented Development (TOD) areas could have in B.C.
• The findings from the analysis anticipates small-scale, multi-unit and transit-oriented development could lead to between 216,000 and 293,00 additional net-new housing units for British Columbians over the next 10 years.
• It’s important to note that modelling of future scenarios cannot account for unforeseen circumstances, the changing nature of housing, real estate markets and other factors.
