Bill 44 Active -- Adopted November 18, 2024 -- Updated March 2026
Township of Langley SSMUH Houseplex & Gentle Density Guide
The Township of Langley was the last municipality in Metro Vancouver to adopt SSMUH, passing Bylaw No. 6020 on November 18, 2024. The new "Houseplex" use category allows up to 4 units on eligible residential lots across R-1 through SR-2 zones, with no 6-unit provision due to the absence of qualifying frequent transit.
Source: Township of Langley Zoning Bylaw No. 2500, as amended by Bylaw No. 6020 (November 2024). OCP and neighbourhood plan updates (2025).
Township of Langley's SSMUH Framework
In response to BC's Bill 44, the Township of Langley adopted two key bylaws on November 18, 2024: Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 6020 and OCP Amendment Bylaw No. 5760. These amendments modified the base Zoning Bylaw No. 2500 to introduce a new "Houseplex" use category across all eligible residential zones.
The Township took a deliberate, cautious approach -- the last in Metro Vancouver to adopt SSMUH. Infrastructure constraints in rural areas, significant Agricultural Land Reserve coverage, and the complexity of 23 R-1 subzones all contributed to the extended timeline.
Since adoption, the Township has continued refining its planning framework. In 2025, the overall OCP and local neighbourhood plans for Brookswood and Fernridge were updated to mesh with the new provincial rules. The Township also engaged a qualified professional to update its Engineering Master Plans for water and sewer, producing an Engineering Capacity Study that outlines service upgrade requirements for future SSMUH development across the Township.
What is a Houseplex in Township of Langley?
A Houseplex is the Township's new SSMUH housing category. It is defined as a single building containing 3 or more dwelling units that share a common access to the street. A minimum of 2 principal dwelling units is required. The Houseplex concept is the Township's primary vehicle for delivering gentle density under Bill 44.
Minimum units
3 units
Minimum for Houseplex classification
Maximum units
4 units
No 6-unit provision (no frequent transit)
Principal units
Min. 2
Required within each Houseplex
Understanding Missing Middle Housing in Township of Langley
Missing middle housing fills the gap between single-family homes and large apartment buildings. In the Township of Langley, the Houseplex use category enables these gentle density housing types:
Houseplex (3-4 units)
Primary SSMUH form with shared street access
Duplex + Secondary Suite
Reaching 3-unit threshold incrementally
Fourplex
Maximum density, various configurations
Single-family + Suite + Carriage House
Incremental gentle density without full redevelopment
Unit Allowances
| Lot Type | Transit Proximity | Max Units |
|---|---|---|
| All eligible residential lots | Any location | Up to 4 units |
| Near frequent transit | No qualifying stops currently | 6 units not available |
| ALR properties | Any location | Excluded from SSMUH |
The Township has no areas that currently qualify for the provincial 6-unit frequent transit provision. All eligible lots are capped at 4 units. ALR properties are fully excluded.
Affected Zones
Bylaw 6020 applies the Houseplex use category to a broad range of residential zones within the Township of Langley. The R-1 zone alone includes 23 subzones (R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, etc.), reflecting the Township's diverse lot configurations across urban, suburban, and semi-rural areas.
R-1 (+ R-1A, R-1B, R-1C)
Suburban residential and 23 subzone variants
R-2
Suburban residential, larger lots
R-3
Suburban residential, medium lots
R-5
Suburban residential, compact lots
R-CL
Residential cluster lots
R-AA
Residential acreage areas
RH-G
Residential heritage/gateway areas
SR-1 / SR-2
Suburban residential zones
Rural-residential and Agricultural Land Reserve exclusions
- Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) properties are fully excluded from SSMUH eligibility
- Rural-residential zones are included but may face practical constraints from servicing limitations
- Verify ALR boundaries using the ALC's ALR mapping tool before assuming development potential
Housing forms you can build
The Township's Houseplex framework supports several gentle density configurations. All forms must include a minimum of 3 dwelling units with at least 2 principal units to qualify as a Houseplex under Bylaw 6020.
Houseplex (3-4 units)
The Township's primary SSMUH housing form. A single building containing 3 or more dwelling units sharing common access to the street. Minimum 2 principal dwelling units required.
Duplex with secondary suite
Two principal dwelling units plus a secondary suite, reaching the 3-unit threshold within the Houseplex framework.
Fourplex
Four dwelling units on a single lot, the maximum permitted density under Township of Langley SSMUH. Configurations include stacked, side-by-side, or combined principal and accessory units.
Single-family with secondary suite and carriage house
Existing single-family homes can add a secondary suite and carriage house to incrementally increase gentle density without full redevelopment.
Key regulations snapshot
These baseline standards from Zoning Bylaw No. 2500 (as amended by Bylaw 6020) guide Houseplex envelope design. Zone-specific variations exist across the 23 R-1 subzones, so confirm exact parameters for your zone before proceeding.
Maximum height
9.0 m for most residential zones. Confirm zone-specific limits in Bylaw 2500 as amended by Bylaw 6020.
Floor space ratio (FSR)
Existing zone FSR applies, typically around 0.40 for standard residential lots. For infill housing (duplex, triplex, fourplex), the Township may have adjusted FSR within Bylaw 6020.
Lot coverage
Currently 35% for most residential zones. A proposed increase to 45% is under consideration to better accommodate Houseplex configurations.
Parking
Approximately 2 spaces per unit as outlined in Section 107 of Zoning Bylaw 2500. No reduced parking provisions since no areas qualify for the provincial frequent transit exemption.
Key changes under Bylaw 6020
The November 2024 adoption introduced the following changes to the Township of Langley's zoning landscape. These changes represent the Township's response to BC's Bill 44 Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing mandate.
- Last municipality in Metro Vancouver to adopt SSMUH (November 18, 2024).
- New 'Houseplex' use category: single building with 3+ dwelling units sharing common street access.
- Minimum 3 units required for Houseplex, with at least 2 principal dwelling units.
- Up to 4 units permitted on all eligible residential lots (no 6-unit provision).
- 23 R-1 subzones and rural-residential zones included in the amendment.
- Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) properties are excluded from SSMUH.
- OCP Amendment Bylaw No. 5760 adopted alongside zoning changes.
- OCP and neighbourhood plans for Brookswood and Fernridge updated in 2025 to align with SSMUH.
- Engineering Capacity Study underway to assess water and sewer upgrade requirements for SSMUH development.
- Infrastructure constraints in some rural areas may affect water and sewer capacity.
Infrastructure & implementation considerations
The Township's cautious SSMUH adoption reflects real infrastructure challenges. These factors may affect feasibility on specific lots even where zoning technically permits Houseplex development.
Water and sewer capacity
Some rural areas of the Township face water and sewer infrastructure limitations that may restrict the feasibility of adding density. An Engineering Capacity Study is underway to update the Township's water and sewer master plans and identify service upgrade requirements for SSMUH development. Confirm servicing capacity with the Township's Engineering Department before proceeding.
Agricultural Land Reserve
Significant portions of the Township fall within the ALR. ALR properties are excluded from SSMUH eligibility entirely. Verify ALR boundaries on the ALC's ALR mapping tool before assuming development potential.
Rural-residential zones
While rural-residential zones are technically included in the SSMUH amendment, practical constraints such as lot size, servicing, and access may limit the buildable unit count in practice.
Ongoing refinements
Since adopting SSMUH, the Township has updated its OCP and local neighbourhood plans for Brookswood and Fernridge to align with the new rules. An Engineering Capacity Study is being completed to guide infrastructure upgrades. Monitor ongoing bylaw updates as staff continue to refine implementation details.
How VanPlex Supports Township of Langley SSMUH Projects
Concept to Permit
We coordinate architects, engineers, and consultants to ensure your Township of Langley Houseplex project aligns with Bylaw 6020 requirements. From ALR boundary verification to servicing capacity assessment, we handle the regulatory complexity across all affected zones.
Feasibility Analysis
Comprehensive analysis of your Township lot's SSMUH potential, including zone classification, ALR status, water and sewer capacity, unit configurations, and pro forma projections tailored to the Houseplex framework.
Request Your Township of Langley SSMUH Feasibility
Share your Township of Langley address to receive a tailored analysis including your zone classification, Houseplex eligibility, ALR verification, servicing assessment, and development pro forma.
Getting Started with Township of Langley SSMUH
Before beginning your Houseplex project in the Township of Langley, follow these key steps:
- Confirm your property is not within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). ALR properties are excluded from SSMUH.
- Verify your current zone (R-1 through SR-2) and check for zone-specific regulations in Bylaw 2500 as amended by Bylaw 6020.
- Assess water and sewer servicing capacity with the Township's Engineering Department, particularly for rural lots.
- Review site-specific constraints including easements, environmental considerations, and heritage designations.
- Contact the Township's Planning Department at 604-533-6011 for pre-application guidance on Houseplex developments.
Contact Township of Langley Planning: Call 604-533-6011 or visit the Township offices at 20338 -- 65 Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3J1. For SSMUH-specific information, visit tol.ca SSMUH page.
Official Township of Langley SSMUH Resources
Township of Langley SSMUH Page
Official overview, regulations, and application information
Bylaw 6020 (PDF)
Full SSMUH zoning amendment bylaw text
Strong Towns Langley SSMUH Planner
Community resource with interactive SSMUH planning tools
Township of Langley Zoning Bylaw
Complete Zoning Bylaw No. 2500 and amendments
ALC ALR Mapping Tool
Verify Agricultural Land Reserve boundaries for your property
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