As mentioned in previous updates, on June 9th, Council gave three readings and final adoption to the proposed Zoning Bylaw amendment to implement Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) to comply with Provincial legislation. The Zoning Bylaw amendment amends 19 zones to achieve SSMUH compliance for 35 properties. The amendments to each of the restricted zones will increase the permitted number of residential units to 3, 4 or 6, depending on their location and size, and will remove minimum parking requirements for those properties that are within 400 metres of a prescribed bus stop. In addition, a change to general provisions will relax restrictions on where coach houses may be built.  

Staff were also directed to continue refining a draft zone that would enable more diverse forms of housing within low-density areas, consider standards that are in keeping with existing neighbourhood character, and return to Council with the refined zone and recommendations for areas of the City that are most suitable for its implementation.

Additional information can be found in the  full report by City staff. 

May 13, 2025

At their regular meeting on May 5th, Council referred the proposed bylaw to implement the Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Zone to comply with Provincial requirements back to staff. In late 2023, the Provincial Government adopted legislation requiring all municipalities in BC with a population of greater than 5,000 people to rezone certain properties with “Restricted Zones” to allow greater densities of 3, 4 or 6 units by no later than June 30, 2024. The City of North Vancouver was successful in receiving an extension to the deadline and is required to implement a new zone no later than June 1, 2025.  

The referral motion included the following:  

• That the Zoning Amendment Bylaw be referred back to staff for consideration of standards that are more in keeping with the existing character of the effective neighbourhoods while achieving the legislative requirements of the provincial unit requirements as outlined in the Local Government Act.
• That staff scan other municipalities who have already implemented SSMUH to consider how cities are implementing the right areas for low density as well as for townhomes and six storey apartments.  
• That staff be directed to undertake a public consultation on the new standards and gather feedback on the SSMUH zone policy changes.
• That staff report back to Council with the findings, and
• That the Chief Administrative Officer write a letter to the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs to advise them of the revised timing of implementing the SSMUH zone.  

Additional information can be found in the  full report by City staff.