British Columbia

North Vancouver’s Zoning Overhaul: Streamlining Approvals for Gentle Density
With a 10% population increase between 2016 and 2021, the City of North Vancouver faces mounting housing supply challenges. In response, the City has expanded gentle density options, allowing secondary suites in single-family and duplex zones, and coach houses in most single-family zones.

As demand for rezonings grows, staff and Council are exploring solutions through a 2023 Zoning Bylaw overhaul, including creating better base zones or pre-zoning to speed approvals.

See how zoning reform can help meet demand for gentle density housing in high-growth communities.

Keywords: North Vancouver zoning reform; gentle density housing; secondary suites; coach houses; small-scale multi-unit housing; housing supply solutions; pre-zoning; rezoning process; affordable housing North Vancouver; zoning bylaw overhaul

Surrey’s Fee-Simple Rowhouses: Expanding Housing Choice Without Strata
Fee-simple rowhouses offer full ownership of both the building and land, eliminating strata fees and rules while giving owners greater control over their properties. Amendments to the Land Title Act in 2012 introduced Party Wall Agreements to manage shared components.

Despite early concerns about noise and privacy, Surrey’s fee-simple rowhouses have thrived, providing a popular alternative as the market shifts from detached homes to townhouses — and inspiring similar projects in other neighbourhoods.

Discover how this ownership model is diversifying housing options in Surrey.

Keywords: Surrey fee-simple rowhouses; gentle density housing; fee-simple ownership; small-scale multi-unit housing; rowhouse development; housing market transition; party wall agreements; missing middle housing; affordable housing Surrey; non-strata housing

The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is working to make gentle density housing easier to build by removing barriers and lowering costs. A Regional Housing Needs Assessment identified affordability and supply as urgent challenges across the housing spectrum, with pressures expected to grow.

Through its Regional Housing Strategy, the RDNO is exploring actions to boost supply, including pre-approved plans for secondary dwellings — a tool aimed at reducing costs and accelerating delivery.

See how regional strategies can fast-track gentle density housing solutions.

Keywords: North Okanagan gentle density; pre-approved housing plans; secondary dwellings; small-scale multi-unit housing; affordable housing North Okanagan; housing supply solutions; regional housing strategy; missing middle housing; housing affordability BC; infill housing policy

Squamish’s Expanding Gentle Density: From Duplexes to Cottage Clusters
With a 22% population increase since 2016, the District of Squamish has long permitted duplexes in much of the community. Since 2015, zoning changes have added accessory dwelling units and secondary suites, with recent expansions to triplexes and cottage clusters.

Neighbourhood planning processes are opening more missing middle housing options through infill, while future strategies may include density bonuses to further diversify housing supply.

Discover how Squamish is scaling gentle density across neighbourhoods.

Keywords: Squamish gentle density; duplex housing; triplex housing; cottage clusters; accessory dwelling units; secondary suites; small-scale multi-unit housing; infill housing Squamish; missing middle housing; density bonus housing policy

Burnaby’s Secondary Suites and Housing Choices Program
With a 7% population increase between 2016 and 2021, Burnaby has seen strong demand for secondary suites, driven by family ties and housing pressures. This demand led to thousands of unauthorized suites by 2014, prompting the City to adopt a policy that supports authorized suites for safety and compliance.

Today, Burnaby has nearly 1,800 permitted suites and over 4,000 unpermitted units, with new initiatives like the Housing Choices program exploring options between single-family homes and apartments.

See how Burnaby is formalizing suites and broadening gentle density options.

Keywords: Burnaby secondary suites; gentle density housing; in-law suites; laneway homes; housing choices program; small-scale multi-unit housing; unauthorized suites; housing policy Burnaby; missing middle housing; infill housing solutions

This Small Housing Guidance Paper examines the viability of redeveloping houses in single family neighbourhoods with more homes on the same property, presenting recommendations that will assist various actors involved in setting financial and cost recovery policies as it relates to new gentle density development.

Key policy considerations explored include:

Enabling Tenure Options (Rental & Ownership)

Allowing individual ownership, or strata-titling, for each home on a lot will encourage more new units to
be constructed versus requiring that a property have a single owner (i.e. the owner rents out the additional units, or all residents share a single mortgage).

Leveling the cost playing field and reducing risk

Constructing multi-unit buildings is more complex and costly than single family homes; by offering standardized designs and simplifying approval processes it is possible to reduce the uncertainty and costs involved.

Building in affordability

Given the small number of units involved in these projects, it is administratively simpler and more financially viable to take any affordability requirements or financial contribution (if required) and combine them for affordable housing on a larger site.

For the comprehensive suite of Small Housing Guidance Papers, check them out in the Toolbox Resource Library. Simply search for “Guidance Paper”.