What are the affects of Vancouver’s new Laneway Housing regulations? Here is a simple bullet point summary:

• Increases the permitted floor area to 0.16 of the lot size, up to a max. of 900 square feet

33’ lot: increase of 141 sf. (plus 40sf. of storage)

50’ lot: increase of 150 sf. (plus 40sf. of storage)

• Allows an additional 40 square feet for storage space (either for closet space or a separate storage room, e.g. for bike storage

• Increases the permitted footprint of a one storey home by allowing it to extend into the rear yard up to 6 feet so that all floor area can be built at grade (a two storey home must stay within the regular footprint)

• Continues to require a 16 foot separation between a LWH and the main house to maintain backyard open space.

• Limits the height of one storey units to the maximum allowed for a garage (12 to 15 feet depending on roof form)

• Allows a 5 percent increase in site coverage (area that buildings can occupy on a site) to a maximum of 45 percent, for single storey homes

• Allows 10% side yards setbacks, and a 2-foot setback (without windows) on one side, for single storey LWHs, regardless of zoning

• 1.5 storey LWH follows the same zoning setback requirements as their individual zoning allows

• LWH can be situated on sites at least 32.15′ wide

• Main entry door when at the lane must be set back 5 feet

• On corner site main door must face street

• Lane elevation: at least 10% of the face must include windows at least 1.1m sq (i.e. 30×48 windows)

• Wall cladding materials have to be consistent and wrap around building corners 4-6 feet before changing to something else

• One external parking space for both one and 1 1/2 storey LWH is mandatory

• Continued use of permeable materials for surface parking is still required

See Smallworks New 2.0 Laneway House Designs and Floor Plans

Our newest models accommodate the changes made by the City of Vancouver to its Laneway Housing Regulations.