Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. set to table housing law requiring small-scale and multi-unit zoning

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Nov, 2023 04:24 PM
  • B.C. set to table housing law requiring small-scale and multi-unit zoning

The British Columbia government is introducing legislation aimed at easing the housing crisis by spurring the development of small-scale and multi-unit homes.

The new law would require local governments to update zoning bylaws to permit multi-unit buildings on lots typically used for single-family detached homes.

Cities are to allow at least three units on lots up to 280 square metres in size, while at least four units are to be permitted on larger lots, and at least six units will be allowed on larger lots that are close to transit stops with frequent service.

The changes are set to apply within urban containment boundaries and municipalities with populations over 5,000.

The law would also require at least one secondary suite or laneway home to be allowed on lots zoned single-family or duplex in communities throughout B.C.

A statement from Premier David Eby says "outdated zoning rules" are making it harder for people in B.C. to find a place to live in their own communities.

"Constructing mostly highrise condo towers or single-family homes means B.C. isn't building enough small-scale multi-unit homes that fit into existing neighbourhoods and give people more housing options that are within reach."

Local governments will be expected to update their bylaws to accommodate the new zoning requirements by the end of June next year, the province says.

The B.C. government says it will release $51 million along with a policy manual in order to support the implementation of the required changes.

Similar policies have already been introduced in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and Kimberley, a provincial statement adds.

A preliminary analysis indicates B.C. could see more than 130,000 new small-scale homes over the next 10 years as a result of the changes, the statement says, although it notes that modelling can't account for unforeseen circumstances or the changing nature of housing and real estate markets. 

The proposed changes also require official community plans to be updated every five years with public engagement.

The legislation set to be introduced Wednesday comes ahead of an upcoming provincial pilot project to provide forgivable loans of up to $40,000 for homeowners to build a secondary suite and rent it out below market rates.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canadian military preparing for possible evacuation from Lebanon

Canadian military preparing for possible evacuation from Lebanon
The Canadian Armed Forces said Friday it is getting ready for the possibility that it will need to help bring Canadians out of Lebanon, as Israel began evacuating a large town near its own northern border with that country. Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah, which has a massive arsenal of long-range rockets, has been trading fire with Israel along their shared border since the latest Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7.  

Canadian military preparing for possible evacuation from Lebanon

Visa processing in India will be impacted: Canadian Immigration Minister

Visa processing in India will be impacted: Canadian Immigration Minister
Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said that visa processing in India will be "inevitably impacted" after Ottawa evacuated 41 of its diplomats following a diplomatic spat with New Delhi over the killing of pro-Khalistani hardliner Hardeep Singh Nijjar. With India maintaining that it seeks parity in diplomatic presence, Canada said that only 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents would be stationed in India from now onwards.

Visa processing in India will be impacted: Canadian Immigration Minister

Premiers ask federal government for COVID-19 small business loan extension

Premiers ask federal government for COVID-19 small business loan extension
Canada's premiers have sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking the federal government to extend the repayment period for a year for interest-free loans given to small businesses and non-profits during the pandemic. The federal government's Canada Emergency Business Account offered interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Premiers ask federal government for COVID-19 small business loan extension

Canada 'firm and steadfast' in call for two-state solution for Israel, Palestinians

Canada 'firm and steadfast' in call for two-state solution for Israel, Palestinians
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada remains "firm and steadfast" in its commitment to a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. He says the Middle East, and the world, needs both a Palestinian state and Israel to exist alongside each other in peace, safety and prosperity.

Canada 'firm and steadfast' in call for two-state solution for Israel, Palestinians

Trudeau says India's move against Canadian diplomats should concern the world

Trudeau says India's move against Canadian diplomats should concern the world
India's move to reduce the presence of Canadian diplomats in its country are "contrary to international law," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday, and the rest of the world should be concerned about its consequences. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Thursday that Canada had removed most of its diplomatic presence from India after New Delhi threatened to strip diplomatic immunities from them and their families.

Trudeau says India's move against Canadian diplomats should concern the world

Hit and run in North Vancouver

Hit and run in North Vancouver
Mounties in North Vancouver say they are looking for witnesses and footage as they investigate a hit-and-run that left a pedestrian with serious injuries on Wednesday night. North Vancouver R-C-M-P say they were called to the scene after passersby found a North Vancouver man in his late 40s lying injured on the road. 

Hit and run in North Vancouver