Laneway Houses are Coming to Burnaby

Burnaby’s Housing Choices Program is introducing new housing options into our city, which bridge the gap between single-family homes and apartments or condos.

 

The first new options we’re making our priority are Laneway Homes and Secondary Suites in Semi-Detached Homes (“Suites in Semis”). During the consultation for Burnaby’s HOME Strategy, many people told us these were important new housing types for us to bring to our single and two-family home neighbourhoods. We heard you loud and clear, and now we’re taking action to finalize the requirements for these housing types as they become available in Burnaby.As part of this process, we will also be exploring additional housing choices for Burnaby’s single and two-family neighbourhoods. These include permitting single-family homes to have two suites and fourplexes on two-family properties.

| City of Burnaby

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What are laneway homes? Laneway homes are smaller homes built in the backyard of the main house, facing the lane. Laneway homes can provide additional space for families, or serve as a new source of rental housing—while also providing income for the homeowner. What are “suites in semis”?“Suites in semis” are secondary suites in semi-detached homes. Semi-detached homes are residences with two units located side-by-side. A semi-detached home may have two secondary suites, one in each unit. Secondary suites are not allowed in stacked duplexes. The laneway homes program will include:

• Modelling different types and sizes of laneway homes on different Burnaby lot types to help us in developing the right requirements for setbacks, height limits, and other regulations.
• Preparing architectural design examples and guidelines for public review.
• Reviewing off-street parking regulations and the potential capacity of neighborhoods to accommodate additional on-street parking demand.
• Reviewing our capacity for water and sanitary servicing and garbage/recycling services, and preparing recommendations for any service changes, upgrades, and fee schedules.
• Reviewing existing and future lane infrastructure as it relates to laneway homes, identifying guidelines for laneway design, development, and use.
• Reviewing third-party infrastructure requirements and preparing guidelines for the postal delivery, emergency services, and electrical and natural gas services.

What’s happening now?

Our Housing Choices survey is now closed and we’re reviewing the feedback we have received. Thank you to all who responded. To read up on what we found and what we’re recommending for the next steps on Housing choices, check out our report to Burnaby City Council’s Planning and Development Committee

| City of Burnaby

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Questions about Housing Choices Program?

» Find answers to some frequently asked questions.

For more information about Housing Choices Program in Burnaby call Geoff Jarman at 604-313-7280

For more information on Geoff Jarman and his services click here