BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Province has granted extensions to 21 B.C. local governments to provide them more time to amend zoning bylaws and upgrade infrastructure for some, or all, of their community.
This will give the local governments time to comply with the new actions to allow for more row homes, triplexes and townhomes.
The list of communities and specific neighbourhoods follows below.
The Province set new requirements for local governments to fix outdated zoning rules and create capacity for more row homes, triplexes and townhouses, paving the way for more housing options for people and families with middle incomes. Local governments were required to make changes to zoning bylaws by June 30, 2024, to allow: either a minimum of one secondary suite or detached accessory dwelling unit; a minimum of three to four dwelling units; or a minimum of six dwelling units near bus stops with frequent transit service, depending on location and population.
Communities were able to request an extension on adopting the legislation beyond the June 30 deadline for parts, or all, of their community where the requirements apply, depending on need.
Seven requests for extensions were declined and can be found below also.
Applications for extensions were required to demonstrate that the local government is in the process of upgrading infrastructure that services the specific area or lots for which the extension was requested; the infrastructure for the area, or areas, where the zoning changes would apply was such that compliance was likely to increase a risk to health, public safety or the environment; or extraordinary circumstances exist that prevent compliance.
Some local governments have already amended their bylaws for most areas of their community, but were granted an extension for certain areas or neighbourhoods where infrastructure upgrades are needed or underway.
As of Sept. 16, 2024, 172 of 188, or more than 91% of local governments in B.C., have now adopted the small-scale, multi-unit housing (SSMUH) legislation by passing local bylaws for all areas where an extension was not requested.
The Province will continue to evaluate the implementation of the legislation by local governments to ensure its success in helping to deliver more row homes, triplexes and townhouses in communities throughout B.C.
These changes create more options for the kinds of housing people are looking for, whether seniors looking to downsize while staying in their neighbourhoods, or young families searching for more attainable homes with outdoor spaces for pets, children and gardens.
The Province has granted extensions to 21 local governments to provide them with more time for final amendments to their zoning bylaws to comply with the new provincial small-scale, multi-unit housing (SSMUH) legislation.
The following local governments have been granted an extension for all zones in their community where the SSMUH requirements apply:
- Coquitlam
- New compliance date: June 30, 2025
- Fraser Valley Regional District
- New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2025
- Greenwood
- New compliance date: March 31, 2028
- Kitimat
- New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2030
- City of North Vancouver
- New compliance date: June 1, 2025
- Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
- New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2024
- Osoyoos
- New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2029
- Peace River Regional District
- New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2026
- Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality
- New compliance date: June 30, 2027
- Wells
- New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2024
Some local governments have amended their bylaws for most areas of their community, but were granted an extension for certain areas and neighbourhoods where infrastructure upgrades are needed or underway. These include:
- Chilliwack
- New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2030
- Areas/neighbourhoods: part of Proper neighbourhood and surrounding Hazel Park
- Comox
- New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2030
- Areas/neighbourhood: Western Foreshore and Kye Bay Area
- Hope
- New compliance date: Dec. 30, 2030
- Areas/neighbourhoods: Silver Creek and East Kawkawa Lake
- Kamloops
- New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2030
- Areas/neighbourhoods: Rayleigh Waterworks District; various areas across city
- Kitimat-Stikine Regional District
- New compliance date: Dec. 30, 2030
- Areas/neighbourhoods: Electoral Areas B, C, E and F.
- Ladysmith
- New compliance date: Dec. 30, 2030
- Areas/neighbourhoods: Malone Rd. subdivision; Lot 5 Holland Creek; Forest Field Area; south area.
- Ladysmith:
- New compliance date: Dec. 30, 2026
- Areas/neighbourhoods: 4th Avenue extension
- New Westminster
- New compliance date: May 4, 2029
- Areas/neighbourhoods: Queensborough Neighbourhood.
- Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District
- New compliance date: Dec. 30, 2030
- Areas/neighbourhoods: Okanagan Falls; Faulder and Heritage Hills areas.
- Port Coquitlam
- New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2025
- Areas/neighbourhoods: Lougheed/Shaughnessy Block
- Richmond
- New compliance date: Dec. 30, 2030
- Areas/neighbourhoods: portion of Steveston
- Sunshine Coast Regional District
- New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2025
- Areas/neighbourhoods: various areas
Seven requests for extensions were declined. Communities that did not receive an extension have 90 days from the date they were first notified to adopt the new bylaws. These communities are:
- Ladysmith
- New compliance date: Dec. 16, 2024
- Area/neighbourhood: Lot A/Upper Hannington
- Township of Langley
- New compliance date: Oct. 23, 2024
- Maple Ridge
- New compliance date: Dec. 16, 2024
- Area/neighbourhood: Various areas
- Mount Waddington Regional District
- New compliance date: Oct. 23, 2024
- Nanaimo Regional District
- New compliance date: Dec. 16, 2024
- Area/neighbourhood: French Creek Water Service Area; Fairwinds Neighbourhood Centre
- Sooke
- New compliance date: Dec. 16, 2024
- View Royal
- New compliance date: Dec. 16, 2024
- Area/neighbourhood: Esquimalt Harbour; Portage Inlet; various areas
Source: Province of BC News
