Investor & Land Tools
Bill 44 Multiplex Calculator — Vancouver BC
Bill 44 forced every BC municipality to allow more units on single-family lots. Find out how many units your lot now qualifies for under provincial Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) rules.
This Bill 44 multiplex eligibility calculator for Vancouver BC applies the provincial Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) rules to your lot. Bill 44 took effect mid-2024 and overrides any municipal zoning that previously restricted single-family or two-family lots.
It guarantees a minimum number of permitted dwelling units. Many municipalities now allow more — Vancouver's R1-1 zone allows up to 8 units on standard lots near transit.
Bill 44 / SSMUH in Vancouver BC — What It Did
Bill 44 is the centerpiece of BC's 2024 housing reforms. It overrides any municipal zoning that prevents owners from building modest multi-unit housing — duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and sixplexes — on standard residential lots.
The Provincial Minimum Unit Floor
- Municipalities > 5,000 population:
- Lot ≤ 280m² (3,014 sq ft): minimum 3 units (1 secondary suite or 1 ADU plus 1 principal dwelling, with at least 3 units total).
- Lot > 280m² (most BC residential lots): minimum 4 units.
- Lot > 280m² within 400m of frequent transit (bus exchange/SkyTrain): minimum 6 units.
- Municipalities ≤ 5,000 population: minimum 2 units (1 secondary suite or 1 ADU).
What Bill 44 Doesn't Cover
Heritage areas, certain hazard areas, lots on private wells/septic, and leasehold lands may be exempted. Some municipalities applied for hardship extensions during 2024–2025.
FAQ
Can I just build a fourplex tomorrow?
Bill 44 forces zoning to permit the units, but you still need building permits, site servicing capacity, and to comply with form-and-character bylaws. Talk to a designer before assuming a teardown-and-build is straightforward.
Does my Vancouver R1-1 lot allow 6 or 8 units?
Vancouver's revised R1-1 zone allows up to 6–8 units depending on lot frontage and FSR — exceeding the provincial minimum. Check Vancouver's planning portal or use this calculator for a baseline.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer
This Bill 44 / SSMUH calculator is provided for general informational and estimation purposes only. Provincial Bill 44 minimums and municipal implementing zoning bylaws contain detailed exemptions (heritage zones, hazard zones, servicing limits, frequent-transit definitions). Results shown here are not a development permit, zoning opinion, planning advice, or legal advice. Final unit counts depend on the official municipal zoning bylaw, frequent transit area maps, lot servicing, FAR/FSR, parking, and other planning requirements. Always confirm with a licensed BC architect, land-use planner, or the municipal planning department before acquiring property for redevelopment. Dan Marusin PREC, Renanza Realty, and danmarusin.com assume no liability for any errors, omissions, or financial decisions made on the basis of this calculator's output.