Prepare for a paradigm shift in the landscape of British Columbia’s single-family neighbourhoods.

Currently occupying a significant 70% of land area but housing less than 20% of the population due to existing zoning bylaws, these neighbourhoods are on the brink of a transformative revolution.

In Vancouver, the metamorphosis of single-family neighbourhoods has been underway for the past two decades.

While basement suites have been a common addition, it wasn’t until 2004 that the city officially legalized them, a trend followed by other municipalities.

In 2009, Vancouver extended this evolution by allowing laneway homes on many lots, with an estimated 5,400 built since. Now, the next phase of transformation is looming.

September marked a pivotal moment as Vancouver City Council greenlit new zoning bylaw changes, ushering in the era of ‘multiplexes’ on single-family lots.

These changes also simplified regulations for all RS (single-family) zones.

Unlike the past, where only the main house, basement suite, and laneway house were permissible on a single-family lot, the new rules allow for up to six dwellings, and up to eight if all are designated as rentals.

Picture source: Canva

To incentivize the construction of multiple homes on these lots, the city increased the allowable floor space ratio (FSR) from 0.86 to 1.0.

This means that on a 5,000-square-foot lot, the total area of the dwellings can now reach 5,000 square feet.

Under the revamped zoning, three-storey buildings are now permitted, with a maximum allowable height of 36 feet.

Importantly, ownership and rental housing can coexist under the new multiplex zoning.

Dwellings may be strata-titled and sold, or some units may remain in affordable ownership or rental.

However, one of the most significant changes is the elimination of off-street parking requirements under the new multiplex zoning. While builders may opt to provide parking, it’s no longer a mandatory stipulation.

In terms of affordability, estimates suggest new homes could range from $2.8 million for a standard east side lot to $1.1 million for a fourplex unit.

The proposed provincial legislation, allowing secondary suites and laneway homes on every lot in smaller communities, will further expand the impact of this revolution.

This zoning overhaul isn’t just about changing buildings; it’s about reshaping communities, affordability, and the very fabric of living in British Columbia’s single-family neighbourhoods. The winds of change are blowing, and the future promises a more diverse and accessible housing landscape.

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Single-Family Neighbourhoods in British Columbia