New design catalogue offers plans for homeowners looking to add duplexes, multiplexes to their lots
British Columbia is taking steps to make it easier for homeowners to add more housing units to their properties, with a new design catalogue that aims to speed up and simplify the process.
The province hopes this tool will help increase “gentle density” in communities by offering pre-approved designs for adding multiplexes, duplexes, and coach houses to existing single-family lots.
The catalogue comes as part of the BC government’s broader housing reforms, which require municipalities to allow up to four units per lot, with up to six units permitted near transit hubs. With housing affordability a growing issue in BC, officials are hoping the new designs will help address the shortage of homes in a way that doesn’t drastically change the look of established neighbourhoods.
“We see huge potential in this, and what’s vital is that every year we continue to expand the opportunity on these catalogues so we see a variety of types of homes in our communities,” housing minister Ravi Kahlon said at the launch of the catalogue.
The catalogue, developed by Vancouver-based Leckie Studio Architecture + Design, features customizable designs that homeowners can use to turn their property into a multi-unit development.
Homeowners can mix and match "building blocks" to create their desired configuration, choosing floor plans, stories, and roof shapes. The homes are designed with BC’s building and energy codes in mind, making the approval process quicker for municipalities.
Kahlon highlighted that the standardized designs should help streamline the construction process. Features like the absence of basements, which can be costly and time-consuming to build, and the use of prefabricated components can reduce construction time and disruption in neighborhoods.
The catalogue includes designs for five common lot sizes in BC, making it easier for homeowners across the province to find a plan that fits their property.
Gentle density
Dan Winer, executive lead of Small Housing, a non-profit advocating for multiplex developments, sees this as a win for homeowners and communities.
“I think that gentle density presents the greatest opportunity for British Columbians who have lived here for some time,” Winer said.
Winer highlighted potential benefits for seniors wanting to downsize while staying in their neighbourhoods and multi-generational families who want to live in close proximity with each other, but with increased privacy.
The government hopes these designs will help ease the province’s housing crisis, particularly for seniors looking to downsize, multi-generational families, and others who want to increase density on their properties.
“So, there’s an economic benefit, there’s a social benefit, there’s the benefit that these homes are more environmentally sustainable using new building practices,” Winer added. “It just seems to check so many boxes.”
While the new design catalogue has been welcomed by many housing advocates, Winer believes more could be done to unlock the full potential of these projects. He suggested allowing homeowners to strata-title the units they build, enabling them to sell individual units. Currently, all units remain part of the original property, limiting the financial flexibility of homeowners.
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Winer also pointed out that access to financing remains a challenge. Banks have been hesitant to offer loans for small-scale densification projects, even though such projects could benefit homeowners and provide more rental options.
“These are fantastic tools because they don’t cost a lot of money,” he said. “[It only needs a] political stroke of the pen.”
Election uncertainty
As BC approaches a provincial election, the future of the housing reforms—and the design catalogue—could be uncertain. Opposition parties have criticized the BC NDP’s approach to zoning, arguing that the province is overriding the authority of municipalities.
Conservative Party of BC leader John Rustad has stated that, if elected, his party would repeal the NDP’s housing reforms, calling them undemocratic.
"[The province] is taking away the democratic right and the democratic vote," Rustad said in a May radio interview, voicing concerns that the reforms could strain local infrastructure.
Despite the political debate, Winer remains hopeful that the push for gentle density will continue, regardless of the election outcome.
“This is a real opportunity for those within the field of politics and whomever they represent to advocate for housing affordability solutions,” Winer said.
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