Council enacts bylaw amendments
On October 30, 2018, Council enacted changes to the Zoning and Development Bylaw to simplify the laneway home regulations, make it easier and more cost effective to build laneway houses, and improve the livability of new laneway houses.
Key changes include:
- Introducing an outright review process for 1.5 storey laneway houses
- Changing the method of measuring height
- Increasing maximum allowable heights
- Relaxing dormer regulations to allow greater design flexibility on the second floor
- Introducing minimum room size requirements
- Providing more flexibility for siting one-storey laneway houses
With the updates to the zoning regulations, the former Laneway Housing Guidelines document has been repealed.
Council approves amendments to laneway home regulations
On July 24, 2018, Council approved amendments to the Zoning and Development Bylaw. These amendments simplify the laneway home regulations, make it easier and more cost effective to build laneway houses, and improve the livability of new laneway houses.
Staff report introducing proposed amendments
On June 19, 2018, Council received a staff report introducing proposed amendments the Laneway Housing Program to simplify the laneway home regulations, reduce processing timelines, and improve livability of laneway homes.
The report was referred to a public hearing in July 2018, where the public will have an opportunity to speak to Council on the report recommendations.
Laneway housing review: Survey and industry workshop summaries
In early 2018, more than 600 laneway house occupants and owners responded to our survey. We also held two meetings with laneway house builders, designers, and architects to draw on their experience.
The feedback was incorporated into the review of the laneway housing program and helped shape opportunities to improve new laneway houses in Vancouver, and the process of building them.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts and experience!
Council approves Laneway Housing Review and Innovation Challenge work as part of the Housing Vancouver strategy
November 29, 2017 – Council approved the Housing Vancouver strategy and 3 Year Action Plan 2018-2020, which include direction to launch a Laneway Housing Review and Innovation Challenge to improve efficiency and affordability of laneway housing options.
Since 2009, when the laneway housing program was adopted, over 3,000 permits have been issued for laneway houses across the city.
Looking forward, the Housing Vancouver strategy sets new targets to ensure our city has the right supply of homes, including a diversity of rental and ground-oriented options in low-density areas. These include a target for an additional 4,000 new laneway houses by 2028.