Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing

NEW PROVINCIAL HOUSING LEGISLATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

In the fall of 2023, the B.C Government adopted new housing legislation aimed at aggressively closing the gap between housing supply and demand. The legislation affects all municipalities in BC and arises from the Homes for People plan. The Plan focuses on addressing B.C. urgent housing crisis through four priorities: 

• unlocking more homes faster;
• delivering better, more affordable homes;
• helping those with the greatest housing needs; and
• creating a housing market for people rather than speculators.

The legislation institutes a broad series of changes to the City of Nanaimo’s planning and development framework and the way the public provides input. Key changes include:

• Regulating short-term rental accommodations;
• Changing when the public can provide input;
• Allowing a minimum of 3 to 4 units on any lot currently zoned for a single-residential home or duplex;
• New and expanded tools to finance growth and community amenities; and
• Locating high-density, mixed-use development within walking distance to bus exchange.

Four new Provincial Bills:

• Bill 35 – Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act
• Bill 44 – Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing (Regulation 673)
• Bill 46 – Development Financing
• Bill 47 – Transit-Oriented Areas (Regulation 674)

Visit the individual project pages for more information on the changes, and how they impact the City of Nanaimo.

Local governments have a series of upcoming deadlines over the next two years to update existing regulation to align with these new provincial requirements. As the City works through the changes needed to comply with these initiatives, we want to ensure Nanaimo residents and businesses are aware of the related impacts and how they will affect our community. Provincial information on the new housing legislation requirements can be found here. Questions about the provincial mandates can be directed to the B.C. Planning and Land Use Management Branch email: PLUM@gov.bc.ca.