Victoria 2050, the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP), recognizes that residential areas will evolve in the coming decades to meet current and future housing needs. Lower-density housing will make way for higher-density forms through residential infill and intensification.
The OCP enables ground-oriented and low-rise buildings of generally four storeys in all of Victoria’s residential areas, which include house conversions, houseplexes, townhouses, small apartment buildings and similar residential infill, often considered part of missing middle housing forms.
Developing Residential Infill
Development of any building must comply with the City’s zoning. The General Residential Zone in the City’s Zoning Bylaw 2018 applies to properties in most residential areas and permits housing of up to four storeys, provided the zoning district regulations are met.
In addition to obtaining a building permit, development may require a development permit or heritage alteration permit, based on the requirements of the relevant development permit area or heritage conservation area. A development permit is generally required for residential development with more than three primary units and is subject to the General Urban Design Guidelines.
A development permit is also required for any redevelopment where tenants will be displaced from their rental unit and is subject to the Tenant Protection During Redevelopment Bylaw.
You can use VicMap to help determine your property’s zoning and any applicable development permit areas. If you are unsure, contact Development Services.
Garden Suites and Secondary Suites
A garden suite is a legal, detached, ground-oriented suite in the backyard of a single-family home. A secondary suite, is defined under the British Columbia Building Code.
Garden suites and secondary suites are designed to be long-term rental housing. A building permit is required to create a garden suite or secondary suite.