Vancouver: a city of towering glass skyscrapers, sweeping mountain and ocean vistas, and laneway houses! These tiny homes are a quintessential part of the city's character, but what are the regulations for building one? Let's take a look.
First things first: what's a laneway house, you ask? Think of it as a tiny home that's built in the space between the main house and the back alley. They're typically around 500-750 square feet, may include an attached garage, and they're perfect for adding some extra housing stock to the city without taking up more green space.
Now, the regulations. Here are the basics:
You have to own a house that's already on the property. Sorry, apartment-dwellers, you're out of luck on this one. But if you're a homeowner looking to add some extra rental income or a place for grandma to stay, they are a great option. You can include an ADU or Laneway House as part of a development of a new house.
You have to have a back alley. This one should be pretty self-explanatory, but just in case you were thinking of paving over your backyard to make a "faux" alley -- don't. Laneway houses have to face onto an actual city-owned laneway.
Your lot has to be at least 32 feet wide. Sorry, skinny lot owners, but you need a bit more space to make a laneway house work. The lot also has to be at least 3,000 square feet in size.
You have to follow size and design regulations. According to the City of Vancouver’s Laneway Housing How To Guide “Laneway housing regulations allow for a range of architectural approaches and building forms, from traditional to contemporary. Special design considerations apply to upper storeys, windows, landscaping, and lane frontages to enhance neighbourliness and liveability.” Laneway houses can't be bigger than the main house on the property, and they can't be taller than 17 feet with a sloped roof or 14 feet if the roof is flat. They also have to be set back at least 16 feet from the main house, and they have to fit into a certain aesthetic style that matches the neighbourhood. Think of it as a tiny design challenge!
A laneway house should be located and designed to preserve existing trees, including those on neighbouring properties and City property. The city requires an arborist report as part of the permitting process to ensure trees are protected.
Unfortunately, a parking space is required which doesn’t make sense in a dense and expensive city like Vancouver that has good public transit options and bike infrastructure. But even a progressive city like Vancouver can make bad regulations. So as you consider your ADU project, just remember that you will most likely have to slide a parking space next to your Laneway house.
You have to get a permit and pass an inspection. This one shouldn't come as a surprise, but it's worth mentioning. You'll need to get a permit from the city before you start building your laneway house, and you'll have to pass an inspection before it's deemed habitable.
All of these regulations might seem like a lot, but don't worry -- they're there to make sure that laneway houses are safe, functional, and fit in with the character of the city. It is recommended that you hire a designer to assist with the project - even the City of Vancouver’s Laneway Housing How To Guide recommends hiring someone. Plus, once you've navigated the rules and built your own little laneway oasis, you'll be the envy of all your neighbours.
So, there you have it: the regulations for building a laneway house in Vancouver. It's a bit of a process, but the end result is a charming, functional little home that can provide extra income, increase your property value, and housing options for the city.
If you have any additional questions about how to get started with a Laneway house or would like us to help guide you through the design process, please reach out through the button below.
Concept design for two story laneway house with a roof deck over a garage.