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At the July 15, 2025 Regular Council meeting, Council directed staff and the Mayor to discuss with CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation), the implementation of five-plexes across all R-1 zoning and the District's commitments to implement frequent transit, if and when the funding is matched by the Province, as sufficient efforts to pursue outcome 3 as outlined in the Housing Accelerator Fund grant.


Following those discussions, CMHC confirmed that the District's current approach including level of density proposed through this bylaw amendment is aligned with Squamish's HAF agreement.

The District is proposing the following zoning amendments:

  • Permit up to six units on R-1 and R-4 properties located within 400 metres of a frequent bus route.
  • Add a definition of frequent bus route, based on specific service frequency criteria.

At present, no bus routes in Squamish meet this definition. These regulations would only apply once a bus route meets the required level of service.

Introduction

Following feedback received at the July 8, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting, the proposed bylaw amendment has been revised. The update would define what qualifies as a frequent bus route and add a new general regulation to allow up to six units on R-1 and R-4 properties within 400 metres of such a route.

This change will not apply right away. It will only take effect once Squamish has a bus route that meets the provincial definition of frequent transit. At that point, provincial legislation requires municipalities to permit this level of housing density and adjust parking rules along frequent bus routes.

Background

The proposed zoning change sets the rules for the future, once Squamish has bus service that meets the definition of a frequent bus route. Right now, no routes qualify.

To avoid confusion, the amendment no longer creates new zones. Instead, it adds one clear general regulation that will apply to R-1 and R-4 properties within 400 metres of a frequent bus route.

When transit in Squamish reaches this level of service, the zoning will automatically meet the requirements of Bill 44, which calls for more housing near frequent transit. This amendment also helps fulfill Squamish's commitment under the CMHC Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Initiative 3 (Missing Middle Housing Accelerator) Milestone 5: Pursue as-of-right zoning to allow for six-plexes along the core transit network of the Squamish Housing Action Plan (SHAP).

What is being proposed?

The District of Squamish is proposing the zoning bylaw amendment:

Bylaw 3170, 2025 (Six Units Near a Frequent Bus Route)

  • Add a definition of frequent bus route to the Zoning Bylaw, based on specific service criteria.
  • Permit up to six units on R-1 and R-4 properties located within 400 metres of a frequent bus route.

At this time, no bus routes in Squamish meet the definition. These regulations would only apply once a bus route meets the required level of service.

Where will this apply?

Zoning changes will apply to R-1 and R-4 properties located within 400 metres of a bus route once that route qualifies as a frequent bus route based on the service frequency criteria set out in the bylaw. For more information on Squamish’s future FTN plans, see the June 24, 2025, Report to Council presented at the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

A six-plex is a small-scale residential building that includes six homes on a single lot. These can take various forms (houseplex, row housing, cottage cluster, etc.) with the goal to create more housing options that still fit within the neighbourhood.

This is part of a province-wide shift. The BC government passed new legislation (Bill 44) requiring municipalities to update their zoning to allow small-scale multi-unit housing on lots near frequent transit.

The Squamish Housing Action Plan (SHAP), endorsed in 2024, outlines 32 actions to address housing by increasing supply, streamlining approvals, and expanding affordable options. This plan aligns closely with Bill 44, which mandates municipalities to update zoning to allow small-scale, multi-unit housing. Squamish is taking a proactive approach, one that balances growth with livability, and policy with action.

If you live close to the future frequent transit route your neighbourhood may allow more housing types such as six-plexes depending on the proximity of your lot to the frequent bus route.

No. These changes to the zoning will allow for up to six units, but it’s up to the property owners to decide whether they choose to redevelop. Many lots will remain as-is for years or decades to come, particularly if the homes on the lots are in good condition. The zoning creates opportunity for new homes to be added, and is not a requirement to build.

A strata titled home refers to a type of property ownership where individuals own their specific unit but share ownership of commons areas such as driveways, landscaping, or roofs.

The District is working to ensure infrastructure planning keeps pace with housing growth. Redevelopment may also trigger utility and road upgrades, and long-term planning support investment in transit, parks, and active transportation.

Development Cost Charges (DCCs) and Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs) are an example of a broader effort to ensure growth is sustainable, reduce reliance on taxpayers, and make sure new development contributes it's fair share to infrastructure and community amenities.

The Frequent Transit Network is the core bus route in Squamish where transit service will runs at least every 15 minutes, on average, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends. For more information on Squamish’s future FTN plans, see the June 24, 2025, Report to Council presented at the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Increasing housing supply helps improve housing availability across the community. By allowing more duplexes, townhomes, and six-plexes, this will help improve affordability over time. This is called the trickle-down effect.

Even if some new homes are priced at market rate, they free up older or smaller homes for others, which helps create more options at different price points.

To make transit more effective, we need to plan for growth before it happens. By allowing more housing types in currently low-density areas near the future Frequent Transit Network, we’re creating the conditions for better transit in the future. Rezoning now means we’re thinking ahead so that as Squamish grows, the infrastructure and services are ready to grow with it.