The Provincial Government has embarked on a new housing plan that aims to make sweeping changes to zoning bylaws to increase the supply of so-called missing-middle housing. Province said it’s new housing plan will speed up delivery of new homes, increase housing supply, fight speculation, and create more affordable housing.
The engine for this change may well be the new legislation the government plans to bring this fall. The legislation would apply to many areas of the Province and will allow up to 4 units on a traditional single-family detached lot, or 3 depending on the size and type of lot. More density may be permitted in areas well-served by transit.
These units include townhomes, duplexes and triplexes.
“People want to build these homes, people want to live in these homes, and communities want to grow while retaining the character people love, but these outdated policies make that difficult, and in some places impossible. That’s why we are acting to change this restrictive zoning approach and make it easier for people to build small scale, multi-unit homes,” the province said.
Over the coming months, the Province says it will work with municipalities and partners on this zoning change, taking into consideration the different types of lots, building setbacks, and height requirements. The province will also work with local governments towards creating effective inclusionary zoning processes.
The legislative change will reduces costs and delays associated with the time-intensive re-zoning processes, and makes more efficient use of existing infrastructure, amenities, roads and services, Province said.
Here are some other changes being planned as part of the housing plan:
1, Starting later this year, legislation will be introduced to make secondary suites allowed in every community across the province.
2, By mid-2023, housing targets will be established in approximately eight to ten municipalities with the greatest need and highest projected growth and will build on existing requirements for local governments to create Housing Needs Reports that identify housing demands and supply factors.
3, In 2023, a newly dedicated single window application process will be launched for all housing related permits overseen by the province. BC is also asking municipalities to build faster and approve housing developments more quickly.
4, In order to create more rental homes, BC says it will explore new opportunities and ways to build new rental buildings, as well as expanding and maintaining existing purpose built rental buildings
5, BC will offer forgivable loans for homeowners to build and rent secondary suites to increase affordable rental supply faster.
6, BC will introducing a flipping tax to discourage short term speculation.
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