Families with children are key to a diverse and vibrant society. Making sure we have the right kinds of housing to support families is important to the success of the city.
We're taking action to ensure new housing meets the needs of families. The Family Room: Housing Mix Policy for Rezoning Projects PDF file (300 KB), requires that new residential developments that are rezoned include a certain percentage of family-sized units such as two and three bedroom units.
The High Density Housing for Families with Children Guidelines PDF file (308 KB) influences the design of new projects by providing guidance on design features that support livable units and buildings for families, for example, the inclusion of children’s play areas.
Both the policy and guidelines are currently being reviewed and modernized to help support better housing options for families in Vancouver.
On this page
What's happeningUpdating apartment design requirements
We are exploring changes to design requirements for new apartments in Vancouver to make them easier to build and to improve livability for the diverse range of households that will live in them. This includes modernizing and streamlining our zoning rules, as well as aligning with new BC Building Code adaptability requirements.
Potential changes being explored include:
- Unit sizes
- Room dimensions
- Proportion of 2- and 3-bedroom apartments
- Storage
- Common amenity spaces
This work is part of implementing the Housing Vancouver Strategy and new 3-year action plan. It is being coordinated with a range of other initiatives, including the Permitting Improvement Program. A report to Council with recommended changes is currently being targeted for late 2025.
Family Room: Housing mix policy for rezoning projects
The Family Room: Housing Mix Policy for Rezoning Projects (2016) PDF file (300 KB) provides the requirements and targets for family units in rezoning projects for residential strata housing and secured market rental housing.
This policy raised the targets for family units (units with two or more bedrooms) in rezoning projects from 25 to 35% to ensure Vancouver’s housing stock makes room for families.
High-density housing for families with children
The High-Density Housing for Families with Children Guidelines PDF file (308 KB), published in 1992, provide direction on project planning, project design, unit design, and amenity areas to improve the livability of high density housing for families with children.
Review of family housing policy and guidelines
As part of the Housing Vancouver strategy: Three-year action plan, the family housing policy and guidelines are being reviewed and modernized to improve the supply of family housing and the living experience of families with children at high density.
The update will seek to address today’s family housing design and supply challenges, taking into account the impact of any new requirements on the cost of family homes.
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Stay informed about how we carry out the Housing Vancouver strategy.
Email: housingpolicy@vancouver.ca