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Pre-Zoning for Social Housing


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On 2026-September-21, Council adopted the "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.256" (Social Housing Zone). The Social Housing Zone forms part of Zoning Bylaw No.4500 and allows an increase in density and building height when social housing is provided on eligible parcels. Social housing means multiple family dwelling units that are subsidized to be lower than the average cost of market housing (excludes supportive housing and shelters). To be eligible for the Social Housing Zone, certain ‘conditions of use’ must be met, which are outlined in the "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.256" (Social Housing Zone).

Thank you to everyone who participated in this initiative. If you have any questions about the Social Housing Zone, please contact Current Planning staff at planning@nanaimo.ca or by calling 250.755.4429 ext. 4509. 

About This Initiative

The Pre-Zoning for Social Housing project explored pre-zoning land in certain areas to accelerate the delivery of social housing, by removing the requirements for a rezoning. This initiative was identified as a Council priority action in the 2023 Version of the Integrated Action Plan (Priority Action #69).

The initiative responds to challenges non-profit housing providers have with the timelines associated with rezonings, impacting their ability to secure funding. By streamlining the approval process, this initiative helps projects move forward more quickly.

WHAT IS SOCIAL HOUSING?

Illustration showing a 6 storey building with commercial on the ground floor and a mix of social and market housing units, On the right, the caption reads

WHAT IS PRE-ZONING?

Pre-zoning is a planning tool used by local governments to proactively change zoning to align with long-term land use plans, like City Plan, the City’s Official Community Plan. This means developments would not require a rezoning, but still be subject to development permit, works and services agreements and building permit approvals.

GOAL OF PRE-ZONING FOR SOCIAL HOUSING

To pre-zone land to expedite the delivery of social housing, by removing the requirement for a rezoning, where social housing is provided. This initiative responds to a gap in the supply of affordable housing and the challenges non-profit housing providers have in securing fundings to build social housing. By removing the need for a rezoning, projects can move forward more quickly.

This initiative is optional, and incentive based. A property owner can develop under current zoning, or choose to develop under the ' Social Housing Zone'.

HOUSING NEEDS IN NANAIMO

This initiative responds to housing needs identified in the City of Nanaimo's Housing Needs Report (2024): 

  • The City of Nanaimo will need 12,962 new housing units for 2021-2031 (10-years).
  • 7,001 (54%) of the units will need to be non-market housing units.
  • Of the 54% of non-market units, 5,784 units (45%) need to be social housing, and 1,217 units (9%) supportive housing.

HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

Please reach out to staff if you have any questions on this project.                 

Community Planning
250-755-4464
communityplanning@nanaimo.ca

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