How many homes can I build in Victoria?
What BC's housing laws and Victoria'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 Victoria by homes allowed
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)6,104 lots
- 6 homes (near frequent transit)2,863 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)721 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) | 714 lots |
| 280–557 m² (3,014–6,000 ft²) | 3,027 lots |
| 557–1,000 m² (6,000–10,764 ft²) | 3,640 lots |
| Over 1,000 m² (10,764 ft²) | 2,750 lots |
Lot size decides the 3- versus 4-home threshold and, in most zones, how much floor space you can build.
What Victoria's zones allow
| Zone | Lots | Homes allowed (city bylaw) |
|---|---|---|
| GRD-1 | 20,493 | No unit cap; density and height step up with building form (fewer than 3 units, heritage-conserving infill, 3+ units up to 3 storeys, 3+ units over 3 storeys) |
Zoning changes in progress
No pending zoning bylaw changes in our table for this city.
Sources: BC Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act 2023 (Bill 44) and Bill 47; Zoning Bylaw 2018 (Bylaw No. 18-072), amendment table current to Bylaw 26-072 adopted 2026-10-01 (PDF cover still says 'Consolidated on June 9, 2022 up to Bylaw No. 22-048', but the summary of amendments runs to 2026-10-01). Remaining legacy lots stay under Zoning Regulation Bylaw No. 80-159 (office consolidation, undated). ↗; ParcelMap BC; the city's open zoning data. Estimates only: confirm with Victoria before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.