How many homes can I build in West Vancouver?
What BC's housing laws and West Vancouver'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 West Vancouver by homes allowed
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)10,682 lots
- 6 homes (near frequent transit)1,253 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)168 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) | 164 lots |
| 280–557 m² (3,014–6,000 ft²) | 563 lots |
| 557–1,000 m² (6,000–10,764 ft²) | 3,803 lots |
| Over 1,000 m² (10,764 ft²) | 7,968 lots |
Lot size decides the 3- versus 4-home threshold and, in most zones, how much floor space you can build.
What West Vancouver's zones allow
| Zone | Lots | Homes allowed (city bylaw) |
|---|---|---|
| RS3 | 6,003 | 3 (house + secondary suite + detached secondary suite, ss.130.05/130.051) |
| RS5 | 2,401 | 3 (house + secondary suite + detached secondary suite, ss.130.05/130.051) |
| RS4 | 1,862 | 3 (house + secondary suite + detached secondary suite, ss.130.05/130.051) |
| RS10 | 722 | 3 (house + secondary suite + detached secondary suite, ss.130.05/130.051) |
| RS7 | 493 | 3 per lot (house + secondary suite + detached secondary suite); cluster housing is a permitted use but s.207/208 state no density figure |
| RS2 | 411 | 3 (house + secondary suite + detached secondary suite, ss.130.05/130.051) |
| RD1 | 395 | 6 if site > 280 m2 and within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop; otherwise 4; 3 if site < 280 m2 (s.251.03, Bylaw 5351) |
| RS6 | 54 | 1 (single family dwelling only; no suites listed in s.206.01) |
| RD2 | 44 | 6 if site > 280 m2 and within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop; otherwise 4; 3 if site < 280 m2 (s.252.03, Bylaw 5351) |
| RS9 | 34 | 3 (house + secondary suite + detached secondary suite, ss.130.05/130.051) |
| RS1 | 21 | 3 (house + secondary suite + detached secondary suite, ss.130.05/130.051) |
| RS2-UL | 19 | 3 (house + secondary suite + detached secondary suite, ss.130.05/130.051) |
| RS10-UL | 14 | 3 (house + secondary suite + detached secondary suite, ss.130.05/130.051) |
| RS3-UL | 8 | 3 (house + secondary suite + detached secondary suite, ss.130.05/130.051) |
| RS8-UL | 7 | 3 per lot (house + suite + detached suite); cluster housing up to 20 dwellings/gross ha via density transfer (s.213.13) |
Zoning changes in progress
- Amendment Bylaw No. 5446, 2026 (Bill 25 Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing compliance) first, second and third readings 2026-09-21 (as modified); awaiting Ministry of Transportation and Transit approval before adoption
Replaces RS2/RS3/RS4/RS5/RS10/RD1/RD2 as 4-unit zones (duplex/triplex/fourplex/strata coach house; all-inclusive FAR 0.65 per lot (0.70 < 641 m2, 0.75 < 464.5 m2), 0.45 per dwelling, massing caps 293-975.5 m2 by zone; coverage 40% < 760 m2 / 35% >= 760 m2; height 8.0 m front / 6.4 m rear building; topmost storey max 75% of floor below; side yard greater of 2.45 m or 12.5% of width), deletes RS9 and RD3, and creates new RG-4 six-unit zone (s.265: 6 units within 400 m of prescribed bus stop with one affordable rental, FAR 0.80-0.90 or 1.20 for townhouses on sites >= 30 m wide, height 8.0 m or 10.67 m / 3 + basement, rear yard 4.57 m with two buildings). Also new s.120.02 dwelling table (3 / 4 / 6), 4-point average grade, 3 buildings allowed on lots >= 930 m2. source ↗ - Amendment Bylaw No. 5469, 2026 (Horseshoe Bay amenity units, RG zones) notice of consideration published 2026-06-17 and 2026-06-24; not in amendment list current to 2026-07-06; adoption not confirmed
Redefines 'Amenity Unit - Horseshoe Bay' ($45 per 0.093 m2 above FAR threshold, CPI-indexed), deletes s.120.30, and ties RG bonus density (e.g. FAR 0.60 in RG-1A/RG-1B) to providing an amenity unit at no cost. source ↗
Sources: BC Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act 2023 (Bill 44) and Bill 47; Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, 2010 (consolidated section PDFs, no date printed; District amendment list current to 2026-07-06) ↗; ParcelMap BC; the city's open zoning data. Estimates only: confirm with West Vancouver before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.