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 update or pass new bylaws 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.

Video From Mayor MacDonald: What the Legislation Means for our City

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 includes:
- 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 required 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. Pursuant with the legislation, the City updated the Zoning Bylaw and designated the two Transit Oriented Areas by bylaw.

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. Pursuant with the new provincial housing legislation, on June 25, 2024, the City updated the Zoning Bylaw to allow small-scale multi-unit housing on lots currently zoned for single-family and duplex and the following is now allowed:

up to three units on residential lots with an area 280m² (3,014 ft²) or less
up to four units on residential lots with an area greater than 280m² (3,014ft²)
up to 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 illustrative 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.

Please note: the map below is provided for illustrative/concept purposes only. Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2986, 2024 was adopted by City Council on June 25, 2024. In the event of a discrepancy between the map below and the Zoning Amendment Bylaw map, the Bylaw map prevails. Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2986, 2024 can be viewed in the May 14, 2024 Staff Report to Council.

Click on the map below to see an expanded version.

Small-scale, multi-unit housing describes a range of buildings and housing units that can provide attainable housing for middle-income families. Examples of small-scale, multi-unit housing include:
- Secondary suites
- Single family dwellings
- Detached accessory dwelling units like garden suites or laneway homes
- Duplexes
- Triplexes
- Townhomes
- House-plexes
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Learn more about small-scale multi-unit housing on the B.C. Government website.
The provincial government has designated Transit Oriented Areas (TOA) to require high-density, mixed-use development within walking distance from frequent transit services in order to promote the creation of complete, livable communities by building more homes near transit and services.
TOAs include lands zoned for residential use within 400 metres of a West Coast Express station (e.g. Pitt Meadows and Maple Meadows West Coast Express stations)
According to the provincial legislation, the City cannot require parking minimums for residential units in these TOAs.
Pursuant with the Provincial legislation, and using coordinates provided by the Province, on June 25, 2024, City Council designated the lands adjacent to the Pitt Meadows West Coast Express Station, and those lands in Pitt Meadows adjacent to the Maple Meadows West Coast Express Station.
The TOA designation bylaw can be viewed in the May 14, 2024 staff report.
Learn more about TOAs on the B.C. Government website.
As part of the new legislation, the City is no longer allowed to hold public hearings for residential projects that already comply with the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP). According to the Province, the purpose of this change is to speed up the building of homes for people and to reduce costs and delays during the rezoning process.
Learn more about the changes to public hearings on the B.C. Government website.
On April 30 and May 7, 2024, City Council updated bylaws and policies to comply with the new Provincial rules for public hearings.
ACCs are a new development finance tool for local governments that were introduced in late 2023 as part of Bill 46 – 2023: Housing Statues (Development Financing) Amendment Act. ACCs allow local governments to collect funds for amenities, such as community centres and recreation facilities, from new development that results in increased demand for services.
On June 25, 2024, City Council adopted an ACC Bylaw to help fund the costs of growth. The ACC Bylaw can be viewed in the June 4, 2024 Staff Report to Council.

What This Means for Your Property

Under the new legislation, your home—or homes in your area—may be rezoned to allow a variety of unit types ranging from secondary rental suites to townhouses, or other forms of small-scale multi-unit housing. View the map above to see if you live in a neighbourhood subject to this Provincial legislation and Zoning Bylaw changes.

What the City is Doing

The Province required Local Governments to update their Zoning Bylaws to allow small-scale multi-unit housing and to designate TOAs by bylaw by June 30, 2024. On June 25, 2024, Council of the City of Pitt Meadows adopted amendments to the Zoning Bylaw and designated the lands adjacent to the Pitt Meadows and Maple Meadows West Coast Express Stations as TOAs
The City adopted a new amenity cost charges (ACC) bylaw to help fund the costs of growth.
The City amended the Development Permit Areas Guidelines in the OCP to foster high-quality and well-designed buildings that incorporate thoughtful landscaping and contribute to a pleasant streetscape in Pitt Meadows.
The City is required to update its Housing Needs Report according to new provincial standards and adjust housing projections from five years to 20 years. This interim report must be completed by January 1, 2025.
The City must update the Official Community Plan (OCP) by the end of 2025 to ensure it aligns with the new zoning bylaws and policies as well as the projections from the interim Housing Needs Report.
The City will now be required to update the Housing Needs Report and the OCP every five years.

More Information

Resources from the Government of B.C.

Resources from the City of Pitt Meadows

FAQs

The Local Government Act requires that local governments update their zoning bylaws to implement the Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) legislation by June 30, 2024. Section 787 of the Local Government Act states that if a local government fails to adopt a zoning bylaw that complies with the SSMUH legislation by June 30, 2024, that the Minister of Housing may issue a notice to the local government to comply within 30 days. If the local government fails to comply with the order, the Minister has the authority to amend the bylaw.
The Local Government Act requires that local governments designate Transit Oriented Areas by June 30, 2024. If a local government fails to designate a TOA, or the bylaw is not satisfactory, the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure may issue a notice to the local government to comply within 90 days. Section 585.53 of the Local Government Act, states should a local government fail to comply with the order, on the recommendation of the Minister, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may designate a TOA.
No. The SSMUH legislation will allow secondary suites, however it will not legalize secondary suites which may have been built without a building permit. If a secondary suite was built without a building permit, the suite will need to be brought into compliance with the BC Building Code and other city requirements, or decommissioned. Please contact the Building Department at 604.465.2428 for more information on the building permit process and requirements.

Further Questions or Comments?

To learn more or ask questions about the Government of B.C.'s new provincial housing legislation, or the City's bylaws, contact us at info@pittmeadows.ca.

Zoning Bylaw