How many homes can I build in Chilliwack?
What BC's housing laws and Chilliwack's own zones allow on house lots, counted lot by lot from public data. To check one lot, find it on the map and open its card.
What BC law requires
Under BC's Bill 44 (2023), lots zoned for houses or duplexes inside the urban containment boundary must allow at least 3 homes on lots up to 280 m², 4 homes on larger lots, and 6 homes on lots of at least 281 m² near a frequent bus stop. Under Bill 47, land near SkyTrain stations and bus exchanges is a transit-oriented area where the city can't refuse taller buildings on height or density grounds alone (up to 20 storeys right next to a SkyTrain station).
The city's own zones can allow more than this. Lots in the Agricultural Land Reserve, outside the urban boundary, or on hazard land are treated differently.
Lots in Chilliwack by homes allowed
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)15,866 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)818 lots
Our estimate per lot from lot size, distance to frequent transit and SkyTrain, the urban boundary and the farmland reserve.
House lots by size
| Up to 280 m² (3,014 ft²) | 821 lots |
| 280–557 m² (3,014–6,000 ft²) | 4,109 lots |
| 557–1,000 m² (6,000–10,764 ft²) | 9,153 lots |
| Over 1,000 m² (10,764 ft²) | 3,981 lots |
Lot size decides the 3- versus 4-home threshold and, in most zones, how much floor space you can build.
What Chilliwack's zones allow
| Zone | Lots | Homes allowed (city bylaw) |
|---|---|---|
| R1-A | 10,363 | Up to 4 under SSMUH s.4.08(7) (3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2) where the lot is inside the urban growth boundary, on community water and sewer, <4,050 m2, not heritage-designated, not in a transit-oriented area and not in a Ministry extension area; forms: secondary suites, coach houses, garden suites, single detached, duplex, townhouse or apartment |
| R3 | 3,841 | Up to 4 under SSMUH s.4.08(7) (3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2) where the lot is inside the urban growth boundary, on community water and sewer, <4,050 m2, not heritage-designated, not in a transit-oriented area and not in a Ministry extension area; forms: secondary suites, coach houses, garden suites, single detached, duplex, townhouse or apartment |
| SR | 1,094 | 1 single detached dwelling (or manufactured home) + secondary suite (s.7.05(4), (10)(b)); SR is not in the SSMUH zone list |
| R1-B | 735 | Up to 4 under SSMUH s.4.08(7) (3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2) where the lot is inside the urban growth boundary, on community water and sewer, <4,050 m2, not heritage-designated, not in a transit-oriented area and not in a Ministry extension area; forms: secondary suites, coach houses, garden suites, single detached, duplex, townhouse or apartment; base zone: one duplex |
| RR | 626 | 1 principal dwelling + 1 accessory dwelling unit; RR is listed in s.4.08(7), so qualifying urban lots on water and sewer could have up to 4 units using R1-A standards |
| R1-C | 482 | Up to 4 under SSMUH s.4.08(7) (3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2) where the lot is inside the urban growth boundary, on community water and sewer, <4,050 m2, not heritage-designated, not in a transit-oriented area and not in a Ministry extension area; forms: secondary suites, coach houses, garden suites, single detached, duplex, townhouse or apartment |
| R2 | 180 | 40 dwelling units or 80 sleeping units per ha for converted apartments/boarding houses (s.8.04(4)); R2 is not in the SSMUH zone list |
| R3-A | 107 | 25 dwelling units per ha (s.8.07(4)); each house may have a secondary suite |
Zoning changes in progress
- Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2026, No. 5580 (RZ001843) - 45925 Collins Drive Council 2026-08-18; later readings not verified
Rezone R1-A to R4-B for townhouses. source ↗ - Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2026, No. 5582 (RZ001844) - 8920 Broadway public hearing 2026-08-18; later readings not verified
Part of an R4 lot to P2 for a care-facility expansion. source ↗
Sources: BC Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act 2023 (Bill 44) and Bill 47; Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000 (consolidated PDF posted 2026-08-18; amendment table ends with Bylaw No. 5571 adopted 2026-08-18) ↗; ParcelMap BC; the city's open zoning data. Estimates only: confirm with Chilliwack before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.