Burnaby City Council has approved changes to the R1 Zoning Bylaw to reduce the height and size of small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) projects, aiming to protect neighbourhood character and livability.
“Increasing housing supply as legislatively mandated by the Province inevitably changes neighbourhoods,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “Our goal is to manage the Province’s changes thoughtfully, balancing new options with the qualities residents value.”
In 2023, the provincial government brought in new housing legislation that directs cities to significantly increase housing density in areas previously zoned for single and two family housing. The legislation requires the cities to allow up to 4 units on most lots. Near frequent transit service, as many as 6 units must be permitted.
To comply with provincial legislation, the City of Burnaby updated its zoning bylaw in 2024. In response to community feedback, City Council has used the limited powers available to make changes that reduce building heights, floor area and lot coverage. They have also made changes that require developers to provide more parking on site.
Height and size reduced
Under the City amendments, building heights will be reduced from a maximum of 4 storeys to 3 storeys (and 10 metres). Rear principal buildings will be limited to 2 storeys in height, and the achievable floor area of projects will be reduced 33-60% depending on the housing type, unit count and lot size.
Lot coverage reduced
Maximum lot coverage is reduced by 5% for all housing types and by 10-15% under certain conditions.
Parking requirements increased
Parking minimums will increase from 0 to 0.5 spaces per unit to 0.67 to 1 space per unit, depending on the housing type and overall unit count. However, Provincial legislation limits the City’s ability to enforce parking minimums on R1 lots located in transit-oriented areas, which accounts for approximately 57% of the City’s R1 lots.
While the initial changes aimed to streamline approvals and introduce “missing middle” housing, feedback from residents highlighted the need for refinements to ensure developments remain compatible with surrounding homes.
The City remains committed to its housing priorities, including expanding rental supply, supporting family-sized units, and complying with provincial SSMUH regulations.
“Each municipality has received housing targets from the Province and we remain confident that these goals will be achieved, even with the recent amendments,” said Coun. Pietro Calendino, chair of the City’s Planning and Development Committee. “The amendments reflect the current approach to ensure sustainable planning of our communities.