Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing Legislation (Bill 44- Housing Statutes)

All Areas

The Province of British Columbia has enacted Bill 44-2023 Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023 (Bill 44) as part of the overarching Homes for People action plan to address the housing crisis.  It sets out new requirements for local governments with respect to small-scale multi-residential housing (SSMUH). Local governments must adopt zoning bylaws that align with the SSMUH legislation by June 30, 2024. It should be noted that public hearings are prohibited with respect to zoning bylaws associated with the implementation of the SSMUH legislation. The SLRD has been granted $121,296 to assist with SSMUH implementation.

For more information about the SSMUH legislation, visit: 

Small-scale, multi-unit housing - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

SLRD staff will be working to implement the SSMUH legislation through a variety of zoning bylaw amendments as outlined in this staff report:

Bylaw Amendments

April 24, 2024, SLRD Board meeting reports:

June 26, 2024 SLRD Board meeting report:

At the June 26, 2024 SLRD Board meeting the amendment bylaws necessary for compliance with the SSMUH requirements (as presented above) were adopted. 

 

Additional SSMUH Amendments

The Province has since determined that the SLRD Master Planned Communities of Britannia Beach, Furry Creek and Porteau Cove are not subject to the additional densities (3-6 dwelling units) as they are not considered within an urban containment boundary for the purposes of the SSMUH legislation. As such, the North Britannia extension is no longer required. The Electoral Area D Zoning Bylaw also requires an amendment to remove additional densities that were added to the Furry Creek Neighbourhood – specifically the FCR3 and CD3 Zones.

Staff Reports

SSMUH (Bill 44 Housing Statutes Amendment Act) Electoral Area D Zoning Amendments & North Britannia Extension Update - January 29, 2025 SLRD Board Meeting [PDF/210KB]

The SLRD Board gave three readings and adoption of Amendment Bylaw No. 1887-2025 at the January 29, 2025 SLRD Board meeting.