What is Co-Living?

As Squamish continues to grow, interest has increased in Co-Living as an emerging housing form. Smaller private sleeping units and shared amenities typically result in lower rental costs compared to other market housing options, which is of benefit to our community at this time.

While Co-Living is not a new concept, it has been emerging in our community and others.

• Co-Living developments typically consist of multiple private sleeping units within a shared dwelling, supported by common kitchens, living areas, and amenities.

• This shared dwelling model is designed to accommodate multiple residents while providing both private space and communal facilities.

Current zoning does not define co-living. The District is currently reviewing how Co-Living housing can be defined and regulated in the Zoning Bylaw.

At present, without a clear definition or regulations, proposals for Co-Living dwellings are generally assessed as single unit dwellings. This has raised important questions regarding appropriate occupancy levels, parking provisions, servicing capacity, and livability.

• On March 18, 2025 Council received a public delegation requesting greater clarity and regulation of Co-Living within the Zoning Bylaw. In response, Council requested staff to bring forward definitions of Co-Living to Council for consideration.

• At the March 24, 2026 Committee of the Whole, Council discussed and provided feedback on a staff report on proposed Co-Living regulations. The resulting updated motion will result in staff bringing back bylaws for consideration based on the Council feedback provided, as well as community feedback.

The District is proposing to introduce a clear definition of Co-Living into the Zoning Bylaw, along with a regulatory framework that establishes where and how this housing form may be permitted. The intent is to clarify how Co-Living is treated under local land use regulations and provide greater certainty for applicants, District staff, and residents.

In addition to defining the use, staff are considering appropriate locations for Co-Living. The District is currently considering that Co-Living be permitted in the Residential 1 (R-1), Residential 3 (R-3), Residential 4 (R-4), and Residential 5 (R-5) zones.

It is proposed that where permitted, Co-Living would be subject to the conditions such as:

• Maximum number of private sleeping units per dwelling
• Minimum shared internal amenity space
• Minimum and maximum parking requirements
• Bicycle parking requirements
• Shared waste storage area requirements
• Business license requirements

These measures are intended to help manage occupancy, supporting livability for residents, and address neighbourhood considerations such as parking and servicing.

The proposed direction is informed by Council direction and land use considerations.

Applicable Policy	Description
Strategic Plan objective 2.2	Increase the diversity of housing forms and tenure types year over year to promote affordable housing and attainable housing for people living in Squamish.
OCP objective 12.1	a. Provide a range of mix of housing options for residents of all ages, incomes and abilities. b. Achieve a diverse and inclusive mix of housing forms, unit types and sizes, tenures, and price options within each development and neighbourhood.
OCP objective 12.5	Support residential infill that contributes to complete, compact and livable neighbourhoods that maximize efficient use of municipal transportation systems and infrastructure.
OCP objective 12.11	Provide alternatives to home ownership and expand the inventory of more affordable rental units.