Last month, the BC government officially passed legislation (Bill 44) mandating multiplex zoning on all single-family lots and high-density development next to transit.
Single-family zoning has now ended throughout the province of BC in areas with a population greater than 5,000 people. It doesn’t mean you can’t build single-family houses anymore, it means you can’t restrict multiple units on a single-family lot.
Here’s a summary of the legislation:
- Municipalities have until June 30, 2024 to update their zoning bylaws to comply with the legislation.
- All single-family zoning must allow one secondary suite and/or an ADU (accessory dwelling unit, also known as a coach house or laneway)
- All single-family zoning must now allow a minimum of 3 units on a lot size 3,000 sq ft or less
- Allow a minimum of 4 units on lots larger than 3,000 sq ft
- Allow a minimum of 6 units if within 400 meters of a bus stop and the lot must be larger than 3,025 sq ft.
- Minimum of 3-storey building height
- Sets out recommended legislation for minimum site coverage depending on lot size
- Sets out recommended legislation for maximum parking requirements
Transit-oriented development (TOD) sets out minimum density requirements around sky train stations, bus exchanges, and the West Coast Express. It also eliminates any parking requirements in these areas.
The province of BC has mandated a minimum building height of 8 stories or more depending on proximity to a transit station. For example, if you’re within 200 meters of a skytrain station, it will be a minimum 20 storey building.
Over the coming year, the province will designate around 100 TODs. Skytrain accounts for over 70 TODs. The remaining TODs will be set near bus exchanges, which are deemed as any stop with 2 or more connections.
