New Provincial Housing Legislation

As part of the Government of British Columbia’s Homes for People Action Plan, in November 2023, the Province passed legislation intended to increase the supply, diversity, attainability, and affordability of housing in all B.C. municipalities.

The new legislation requires B.C. municipalities to allow for more housing density as well as different types of housing, particularly in single-family neighbourhoods and near transit hubs and transit corridors. As a city, we want to ensure that residents are aware of these mandated provincial changes and how they may affect growth, development, and change in Pitt Meadows neighbourhoods. 

Learn more about the new local government housing initiatives on the Government of B.C.’s website.

Key Changes

• The City is required to allow new housing in the form of small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) to increase density on single-family and duplex lots, within the urban containment boundary. This will include:
  • Secondary suites 
  • Single family dwellings
  • Detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs), like garden suites and laneway homes
  • Triplexes
  • Townhomes
  • House-plexes
• In most Pitt Meadows neighbourhoods, this new legislation will allow up to three or four small-scale units per single-family or duplex lot, depending on lot size. Properties within 400 metres of a frequent transit stop are allowed up to six units per lot.
• The Province has identified Transit Oriented Areas (TOA), an approach to land use planning that locates high-density, mixed-use development within walking distance from frequent transit services. This will included TOAs with minimum residential densities and heights near transit hubs, such as West Coast Express stations (e.g. Pitt Meadows Station and Maple Meadows Station). The City of Pitt Meadows is required to designate TOAs by bylaw.
• As part of the new provincial housing legislation, municipalities are no longer allowed to hold public hearings for residential projects that fit with the City’s Official Community Plan.
• The Province requires the City to update the Zoning Bylaw to allow three to six units in its single family and duplex zones, and designate by bylaw the TOAs by June 30, 2024.

What This Means for Pitt Meadows

Over the coming years, City residents will likely see a larger variety of housing types built in neighbourhoods that were primarily known to have single-family-homes. According to the new provincial housing legislation, the City will be required to allow small-scale multi-unit housing on lots currently zoned for single-family and duplex :

• A minimum three units on residential lots with an area 280m² (3,014 ft²) or less
• A minimum four units on residential lots with an area greater than 280m² (3,014ft²)
• A minimum six units on residential lots with an area greater than 280m² (3,014 ft²) and within 400m of bus stops with frequent service (15min or less).  According to the legislation, the City cannot require that parking be provided in these areas.

The draft map below shows preliminary housing densities that will be allowed in Pitt Meadows—although the legislation does not apply to heritage properties, properties that are larger than 4050 m² (one acre) in size, or properties that are not connected to water or sewer. Restrictions related to the Pitt Meadows Regional Airport height limitations, Agricultural Land Reserve, environmental areas, and restrictive covenants will still apply throughout the community. Agricultural properties and properties with existing multi-family housing are not pictured on this map.

Click on the map below to see an expanded version.

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