B.C. grants extensions to 21 communities to pass new housing density bylaws

Seven requests were turned down, including by the Township of Langley and Maple Ridge

Published Sep 16, 2024  •  3 minute read

The B.C. government has granted extensions to some communities, giving them more time to pass local bylaws to support new provincial housing density regulations. Photo by OCTAVIO JONES/Reuters

The B.C. government has granted extensions to nearly two dozen local governments, giving them more time to adopt new housing density regulations on single-family lots issued last year.

The regulations require municipalities with at least 5,000 residents to change their zoning bylaws to allow four to six units on a standard lot by June 30, 2024. The legislation was intended to increase housing density and the supply of triplexes, townhouses and row homes across the province.

Article content

But it has been criticized by many mayors and councillors, who say the one-size-fits-all approach runs roughshod over local community planning and does not take into account specific needs of a municipality.

Some municipalities or regional districts have sought extensions beyond the June 30 deadline.

Ten were given new deadlines ranging from next year to 2030, while 11 were granted extensions for specific areas that needed infrastructure upgrades, said the housing ministry on Monday.

In Metro Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver has until June 1, 2025, to comply with the new rules, while Coquitlam was given a June 30, 2025, deadline.

New Westminster received an extension for the Queensborough neighbourhood, as did Port Coquitlam’s Lougheed/Shaughnessy Block neighbourhood and a portion of Richmond’s Steveston area.

Seven extension requests were turned down, including from the Township of Langley and Maple Ridge in Metro Vancouver, and from Sooke, View Royal and the Nanaimo Regional District on Vancouver Island. These communities will have 90 days since they were notified to amend their bylaws.

Article content

The province said 172 of 188, or 91 per cent, of local governments in B.C. have passed local bylaws to support the new legislation.

These local governments were granted an extension:

• 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)
• 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)

These local governments were granted extensions for specific areas: 

• Chilliwack — parts of Proper neighbourhood and surrounding Hazel Park (New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2030)
• Comox — Western Foreshore and Kye Bay area (New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2030)
• Hope — Silver Creek and East Kawkawa Lake (New compliance date: Dec. 30, 2030)
• Kamloops — Rayleigh Waterworks district; various areas across city (New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2030)
• Kitimat-Stikine Regional District — Electoral Areas B, C, E and F (New compliance date: Dec. 30, 2030)
• Ladysmith — Malone Rd. subdivision; Lot 5 Holland Creek; Forest Field Area; south area (New compliance date: Dec. 30, 2030)
• Ladysmith — 4th Avenue extension (New compliance date: Dec. 30, 2026)
• New Westminster — Queensborough neighbourhood (New compliance date: May 4, 2029)
• Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District — Okanagan Falls; Faulder and Heritage Hills areas (New compliance date: Dec. 30, 2030)
• Port Coquitlam — Lougheed/Shaughnessy Block (New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2025)
• Richmond — portion of Steveston (New compliance date: Dec. 30, 2030)
• Sunshine Coast Regional District — various areas (New compliance date: Dec. 31, 2025)

[email protected]

Recommended from Editorial

1. 

   B.C.'s higher housing density plan's 'blanket' approach raises concerns among Metro mayors

2. 

   B.C. NDP housing bill oversight could cost municipalities tens of millions: mayors

3. 

   West Vancouver council grudgingly approves multi-unit housing bylaws after province's ultimatum

4. 

   B.C. government gives Burnaby, Langley Township transit hub density ultimatum

Article content