Thursday, September 28, 2023

At a glance (2 minute read)

  • Burnaby now allows laneway homes and secondary suites in semi-detached homes as part of the Housing Choices program.
  • These housing options can't be stratified or sold separately from the main dwelling.
  • The decision followed a year-long period of public engagement and consultation with various stakeholders, ensuring that the regulations reflect community feedback.

On September 18, the City of Burnaby began accepting applications for laneway homes and secondary suites in semi-detached homes.

Both laneway homes and suites can’t be stratified or sold separately from the main dwelling.

The city amended Burnaby’s zoning bylaw to add housing to Burnaby while also preserving character in single-family neighbourhoods, according to Burnaby mayor Mike Hurley. 

Burnaby approved these new forms of housing as the first phase of Burnaby’s Housing Choices program, a city initiative to bring new, flexible forms of housing to residential neighbourhoods. Burnaby is one of the last of the Lower Mainland’s larger local governments to enable laneway homes and secondary suites to be built.

Public consultation

Burnaby’s regulations and guidelines for these housing types were refined over a year-long period of public engagement, beginning in spring 2022.

During this process, city staff consulted extensively with residents living in single/two-family home neighbourhoods, housing advocacy groups, prospective builders, and transportation organizations.

City staff also conducted public surveys, hosted open houses, and convened resident workshops.

The city advises that bylaw amendments reflect feedback collected during this process.

What types of housing are allowed?

Laneway homes are smaller homes that can now be built in the backyard of a main house, facing the lane or road that runs behind the property. Laneway homes can provide space for families, or as a new source of rental housing.

Semi-detached homes are homes with two units built side-by-side. Under Burnaby’s new bylaw updates, a semi-detached home may have two secondary suites, one for each unit.

Semi-detached homes with suites that incorporate SAFERhomes Society universal design standards will receive a height bonus, with maximum building heights up to 10.5 m (34.4 ft.) depending on roof style.

If you have questions about regulations governing laneway homes or secondary suites, contact Harriet Permut, director of government relations at hpermut@rebgv.org.