vancouverarchitecture

Blog #1: Understanding R1-1 Zoning, A Simplified Guide - Multiplexes

Vancouver's Exciting Housing Changes:  

Hey there! Vancouver has made some really interesting changes to its housing rules, and it's kind of like a mix between a building game and real-life city planning. Let's dive into what's new in a way that's easy to understand: 

More Homes on One Lot: Imagine you're playing a building game. Before, you could only build one big house on your game plot. But now, with this new R1-1 rule, you can build several smaller homes on that same plot. It's like creating a mini-neighborhood in one spot! 

Use Every Inch of Your Land: In your game, you might have had to leave some space empty around your buildings. But now, in real Vancouver, you can use 100% of your land to build on. This means more room for homes and less wasted space. 

Less Lawn, More House: Think about the grassy area around houses in your game. Now, that lawn area can be smaller, so the houses can be bigger. It's like maximizing the fun parts of your game. 

Taller Buildings: Just like stacking blocks higher in a game, Vancouver now allows taller buildings. This means more space for people to live, especially in multiplexes, which are buildings with several homes inside. 

Faster Approval for Building: Getting permission to build in real life can be slow, but now it's quicker, kind of like when you quickly get a building permit in a game. This means less waiting and more doing. 

These changes are like updating the rules of a game to make it more exciting and practical. It's all about giving people more options for where they live and helping Vancouver grow in a smart, fun way. 

More info :  https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/multiplexes  

 

Understanding Vancouver’s New Housing Rules: A Simplified Guide 

Vancouver's housing rules have changed, and it's a bit like putting together a puzzle with different size pieces. Let's break it down so it's easier to understand: 

Small Lots (306 sqm): If you have a small piece of land, at least 306 square meters (think about the size of a basketball court), you can now build 3 to 4 homes on it. It's like fitting more pieces into a small puzzle area. 

Medium Lots (up to 464 sqm): For slightly bigger land, up to 464 square meters (like a large swimming pool area), the rules change a bit. Here, you can fit 3 to 5 homes. Imagine trying to fit more pieces into a medium-sized puzzle. 

Larger Lots (minimum 557 sqm): On larger lots, at least 557 square meters (about half the size of a soccer field), you can build 4 to 6 homes. This is like working with a bigger puzzle where you have more space to add pieces. 

Special Case: 8 Units for Rental Developments: There's a special scenario where you can build up to 8 homes, but this is mainly for rental housing projects. Think of it as a special puzzle section that has its own unique set of rules. 

More Homes, More Considerations: When you plan to build 5 or more homes, the puzzle gets a bit more intricate. There are extra rules and factors to think about, kind of like when a puzzle becomes more complex as you add more pieces. 

Professional Help: Just like you might need a friend to help with a tricky puzzle, in real life, you'll need professionals (like architects or city planners) to help figure out the best way to build on your land. They'll make sure everything fits together perfectly, keeping your budget in mind. 

These new rules are like a puzzle, making it more interesting and varied to create homes in Vancouver, giving people more options and helping the city grow in a smart way. 


In our effort to keep you informed about the R1-1 zoning changes in Vancouver, we've created a two-part YouTube video series for your benefit. We invite you to explore, engage, and stay connected with us on YouTube by liking, subscribing, and following our social media channels. This way, you'll stay up-to-date on the latest building bylaw updates in Vancouver.