Add Residential Units to your Property

Street view of a fourplex housing unit

Recent amendments to the City's zoning bylaw allows property owners with municipal services, previously restricted to single dwelling or duplex residential development, to add up to four units on their property without a zoning amendment - only a building permit.

Small-scale, multi-unit housing (SSMUH) refers to a range of dwelling unit configurations that are intended to provide options for more affordable and attainable housing. They can include but are not limited to secondary suites, detached accessory dwelling units, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.

Looking for idea's on what you can do?

Examples of new standardized designs for gentle density homes in B.C. can be found here.

FAQs
Can I still build a single detached or duplex dwelling?

Yes. The purpose of the zoning amendment is to be less restrictive in allowing more housing options and is not intended to limit housing options.

How does this affect the West Quesnel Land Stability Area?

The West Quesnel Land Stability Area will be exempt from the small-scale, multi-unit housing zoning changes due to the land movement hazards in this area. 

What does it mean for Quesnel?

The City updated its Zoning Bylaw to comply with the new provincial legislation.

Several amendments have been made to the bylaw. The City of Quesnel collapsed the existing four restricted zones RS-1, RS-2, CR-1, and CR-2 into three zones. The three new zones are now RS-1 (Urban Residential); RS-2 (Suburban Residential) and CR-1 (Rural Residential). There is no longer a CR-2 zone. The RS-1 zone applies to areas of the community where lots are typically between 281m² and 1215m² (West Quesnel, Johnston/Carson subdivisions, and North Quesnel. The RS-2 zone applies to the Southhills Area where lots that apply to the SSMUH zoning requirements are generally between 1215m² and 4050m²). The CR-1 zone applies to areas that have limited urban services. All residents in these low-density zones are encouraged to review the zoning bylaw map to determine their new zoning.

Changes include:

  • Front, rear, and side yard setbacks
  • Maximum lot coverage
  • Maximum heights of buildings
  • Allowable number of dwelling units per lot
Will our infrastructure have capacity for added housing density?

New small-scale, multi-unit housing is expected to be gradual, and the impacts will likely be predictable allowing for opportunities to respond to any challenges and planning where and when it is needed.

How could this change my neighbourhood?

With these changes, you may start to see many housing forms other than traditional single-family homes. How quickly the changes take place will depend on how and when people begin to take advantage of the new housing options that provincial legislation has enabled.

Accessory Dwelling Units (AUDs)

ADUs help create a variety of housing options within our community. ADUs include secondary suites, carriage houses, and secondary dwellings. The City has FREE pre-reviewed, energy-efficient design plans for ADUs available.

Getting Started - ADUs

Interested in accessory dwellings? Get started here!

Pre-Reviewed ADUs

Five pre-reviewed ADU plans are available to residents for no charge, and building permits shall be expedited for a quick turnaround!

Secondary Suites

Learn more about the process for secondary suites, illegal suites and suite removals.

Carriage Homes

Find out how to build a carriage home on your property.

Secondary Dwellings

Find out how to build a secondary dwelling on your property.

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