On Wednesday, Nov. 1, B.C. Premier David Eby announced the introduction of new housing legislation that promises to deliver more small-scale, multi-unit housing for people, including town homes, triplexes and lane-way homes, and fix outdated zoning rules to help build more homes faster.
鈥淎nyone looking for a place to live in a community they love knows how hard it is - and outdated zoning rules are making that even harder,鈥� said Eby. 鈥淐onstructing mostly high-rise condo towers or single-family homes means B.C. isn鈥檛 building enough small-scale multi-unit homes that fit into existing neighbourhoods and give people more housing options that are within reach. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e taking action to fix zoning problems and deliver more homes for people, faster.鈥�
Historical zoning rules in many B.C. communities have led most new housing to be built mostly in the form of condos, or single-family homes that are out of reach for many people, leaving a shortage of options for the types of housing in between. Zoning barriers and layers of regulations have also slowed down the delivery of housing, making people go through long, complicated processes to build much-needed housing in communities.
The proposed legislation and forthcoming regulations will permit one secondary suite or one lane-way home (accessory dwelling unit) in all communities throughout B.C.
In most areas within municipalities of more than 5,000 people, these changes will also require bylaws to allow for:
* Three to four units permitted on lots currently zoned for single-family or duplex use, depending on lot size;
* Six units permitted on larger lots currently zoned for single-family or duplex use and close to transit stops with frequent service.
Municipalities covered by the legislation may permit additional density if desired, but cannot have bylaws that allow for fewer permitted units than the provincial legislation.
Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells
While the City of Courtenay already allows for secondary suites on the majority of residentially zoned properties, some of the city bylaws will have to be amended.
鈥淥ur zoning bylaw (will need amending) and there may be other bylaws like our subdivision servicing bylaw or building bylaw and development cost charge bylaw, but (we won鈥檛 know) until the provincial regulations related to the legislation are released,鈥� said Courtenay Mayor, Bob Wells.
He said the new changes will potentially produce a lot of new accommodation options.
鈥淐ourtenay has a large number of zones, parcel sizes and building forms as a result of our historical development and the proposed changes will permit a significant amount of infill development in the community. We don鈥檛 know yet what the potential is but it results in very significant potential for new units.鈥�
The legislation will also speed up local housing development approvals, by shifting local planning and zoning processes to happen upfront. It will require municipalities throughout B.C. to expedite and streamline permitting by updating community plans and zoning bylaws on a regular basis, to ensure that they have enough housing to meet the needs of both their current and future residents. This will help create more certainty for both community members and home builders.
Comox Mayor Nicole Minions
The Town of Comox will have to make significant changes to its bylaws in order to be compliant.
鈥淎ll of our residential zoning bylaws will need to be changed along with our subdivision and servicing bylaws,鈥� said Mayor Nicole Minions. 鈥淲e are also going to have to update our OCP in order to ensure that we have pre-allocated enough land to meet anticipated housing needs in the region.
鈥淭his is a bold change that will help create some diversity in market housing options that may make the cost more obtainable for young families, seniors and individuals. It is also a vast sweeping change that will make it more difficult for municipalities to choose where density will take place and ensure proper amenities and infrastructure (are) obtained for small and larger developments.鈥�
Cumberland Mayor Vickey Brown
鈥淭his new housing legislation is one step forward in addressing our housing shortage,鈥� said Cumberland Mayor, Vickey Brown. 鈥淏y introducing small-scale, multi-unit housing options we can create more diverse housing opportunities for Cumberland. Building density in a single-family zoning not only allows property owners to generate income from their properties - potentially through rentals 鈥� it also adds housing on existing infrastructure, keeping costs down for local governments and thus their taxpayers.鈥�
鈥淲e have had good success with most of these measures in our community thus far and are currently working on updating our OCP so it is good timing for us to look at these changes. We appreciate the province鈥檚 encouragement with this new legislation and look forward to future announcements that will address housing affordability.鈥�
Cumberland will have minimal adjustments to its zoning bylaw.
鈥淭he Cumberland OCP already includes policies supporting missing middle housing for much of the residential areas within a 10-minute walk of the commercial core,鈥� said Courtney Simpson, manager of development services for the Village of Cumberland. 鈥淭he new legislation means we will need to expand the area where up to four units are allowed on a residential lot.鈥�
In Cumberland, secondary suites throughout the village, and accessory dwelling units close to the commercial core.
鈥淚n some areas, three units are allowed per lot (secondary suite and an accessory dwelling unit). The zoning bylaw will need to be updated to allow up to four units in much of the single residential zones in the village,鈥� said Simpson.
New proposed changes will also phase out one-off public hearings for rezonings for housing projects that are consistent and aligned with the official community plans.
鈥揥ith files from the Government of BC
