Little House on the Laneway

Vancouver's liberalized laneway housing zoning is seen as a cost-effective and easy way to densify, make housing more affordable and reduce the city's carbon footprint. But not everyone is on board.

1 minute read

November 1, 2010, 6:00 AM PDT

By Michael Dudley

While some cities allow the construction of "garden suites" or accessory units on a case-by-case basis, Vancouver, BC is permitting them on any lot that is sufficiently wide and has access to a back lane:

"Vancouver... introduced a new policy a year ago that allows small houses to be built behind any single-family house in the city that has a lot wider than 33 feet as well as access to a lane or road. So far, nearly 200 applications have come in – a number that has made Vancouver a North American leader in enthusiasm for this new form of housing.

That all-out charge forward in Vancouver has produced backlash, though. At council meetings two weeks ago, when planners brought up an assessment of the program so far and suggestions for minor tweaks, 35 people showed up and about half were adamantly opposed, saying the new houses are so big that they're invading neighbours' privacy and blocking views."

FULL STORY: BC's Boom in Little Houses

Saturday, October 30, 2010 in The Globe and Mail

Housing British Columbia Vancouver Granny Units Laneway Housing

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.