How new Provincial Housing Legislation is Unfolding in the City.
The Provincial Government has enacted legislation aimed at increasing the supply of housing within BC. This includes legislation on Transit-Oriented Areas, Short-term Rentals, Development Financing Tools and Small-Scale Multi-Unit housing, and more. The City must now update its regulations to align with the legislation. For more information on how the City is responding to each of these topics, read on.
Growing Livable Neighbourhoods
In response to new provincial housing legislation changes, the City is considering updates to its Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw—the tools used to plan our communities. As we plan for future growth, we’re committed to keeping our city livable and vibrant.
We’re currently exploring two primary focus areas: low-density housing (for instance, duplexes or fourplexes); and higher density housing on City-owned lands (City Lands).
Learn more by visiting our Growing Livable Neighbourhoods webpage.
Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing
In 2023, the Government of British Columbia announced a range of new housing rules to increase housing supply across the province. One of those rules requires cities to allow up to 3, 4, or 6 dwelling units to be built on certain properties.
The City amended its Zoning Bylaw on June 9, 2025, to comply with the new Provincial rules. The changes affect 19 zones encompassing 35 properties. The bylaw also relaxed restrictions on where coach houses may be built. These changes allow impacted property owners the opportunity to add more units to their property, should they wish to do so. They do not set a minimum number of units that must be built.
More information may be found on the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing webpage.
Transit Oriented Area (Lonsdale Quay)
On June 24, 2024, Council adopted a Bylaw recognising the properties within 400 metres of the Lonsdale Quay Bus Exchange as a Transit Oriented Area. The deadline to do so as set by the Province was June 30, 2024. Review the adopted Bylaw.
Development Financing Tools
These changes to the Local Government Act are designed to enable municipalities to better fund community amenities. The City is undertaking a study to determine how best to implement this new community building tool. There is no mandated deadline for the completion of this work or for adoption of a bylaw to implement an amenity cost charge program; however, the City is working towards completing this project in mid-2025.
Housing Need
On December 9, 2024 , the City presented the 2024 Interim Housing Needs Report which provides an overview of current and anticipated housing needs in the City of North Vancouver. The report was completed in accordance with the new Provincial legislation and methodology for estimating the City’s housing needs over the next 20 years.
The City is required to update its planning tools (Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw) by December 31, 2025 to provide enough capacity to accommodate the 20-year housing need.
Provincial Resources
The Province has released Policy Manuals to provide further information on the implementation of the legislation.
To learn more about the Province of BC’s housing initiatives, please visit the following websites: