WCEL > Issues > Urban Growth and Development > Smart Bylaws Guide > Part 3 > Compact Complete Communities > Conversion

Smart Bylaws Guide – Compact Complete Communities – Conversion

Many municipalities allow the conversion of single family homes to multi-unit dwellings to maintain the character of single family neighbourhoods and promote quality infill development.

Vancouver 

The Multiple Conversion, Two-family, Multiple Family and Infill Maintaining Single Family Residential Character zone (RS-7, consolidated to December 9, 2003) in Vancouver is intended to maintain the single-family residential character of the District and, on typical smaller lots, to conditionally permit two-family dwellings and multiple conversion dwellings and, on larger lots, to conditionally permit multiple-family dwellings and infill. Neighbourhood amenity is enhanced through external design regulations. The maximum density allowed is 62 units per hectare (26 units per acre).

The City's Multiple Conversion Protecting Existing Single Family Character (RT-3, consolidated to July, 2005) encourages the retention of neighbourhood and streetscape character, particularly through the retention, renovation and restoration of existing character buildings in a two-family dwelling zone. Redevelopment and infill are encouraged on sites with existing buildings of style and form which are inconsistent with the area's pre-1920 architecture. Density bonus incentives are included to achieve the creation of affordable housing and the rehabilitation of original buildings which are important to the neighbourhood's character.

Victoria

The City's Single Family Dwelling District (R1-B) allows single family homes built before 1970 to be converted into duplexes or multiple dwellings with at least 46 square metres (496 square feet) of floor space for each unit. 

The City also offers a tax incentive program to eligible owners of downtown heritage designated buildings to offset seismic upgrading costs for the purposes of residential conversion of existing upper storeys. Eligible property owners may apply under the program for design and construction of approved seismic upgrading work. Property owners may receive tax exemptions (for municipal and school taxes only) based on the annual property taxes for a period up to ten years to offset the cost of seismic upgrading.