In July 2024, the District of Lake Country changed its zoning to meet provincial rules requiring municipalities to allow up to four housing units on certain residential lots, but so far, no one has applied to use it.
Small-Scale Multiple Housing Zoning (SSMH) was implemented by the province in 2023. The legislation, part of the Homes for People action plan, aims to increase housing options by allowing more units on lots traditionally zoned for single-family or duplex dwellings. Municipalities were required to update their zoning bylaws by June 30, 2024.
As of this July, 1,208 lots in Lake Country can have up to four units, 26 more than last year, according to a report going to council on Aug. 19. Another 2,418 lots could qualify in the future if they connect to municipal water and sewer.
However, no one has applied to build a three-plex or four-plex since the zoning change. Between July 2024 and July this year, only five permits were issued on SSMH-eligible lots. Four were for secondary suites and one was for a single-family home.
All of these were in an area (RU1 zone) that already allowed secondary suites before SSMH, the report noted.
Staff say the zoning is still new, and property owners and developers may need more time to plan projects.
Creating affordable housing will require cooperation between governments, developers, and landowners, not just zoning changes, the report said.
