Convert Your Burnaby House to a Multiplex
How Burnaby's SSMUH zoning opens multiplex development on residential lots — with larger lots, lower fees, and faster permits than Vancouver.
Burnaby's SSMUH conversion landscape
Burnaby's implementation of BC's SSMUH legislation allows 4-6 unit multiplexes on most R1 and R2 residential lots. Burnaby offers several advantages over neighbouring Vancouver:
Burnaby advantages
- Larger average lot sizes (6,000-8,000+ sq ft)
- Lower Development Cost Charges ($20-$25/sq ft)
- New SSMUH expedited permit stream
- Generally lower land costs than Vancouver
- Strong rental demand near SkyTrain stations
Burnaby-specific requirements
- Minimum 40 ft lot frontage (vs 33 ft in Vancouver)
- FSR typically 0.75-1.0 depending on zone
- Different parking standards than Vancouver
- Burnaby's own tree protection bylaw applies
- May require neighbourhood notification
Demolish vs. renovate in Burnaby
Burnaby's larger lots mean some existing homes have more conversion potential than typical Vancouver houses. However, demolish-rebuild remains the preferred approach for most projects:
| Factor | Demolish & Rebuild | Renovation |
|---|---|---|
| Unit count | 4-6 units | 2-4 units |
| Construction cost | $1.8M-$2.4M | $1.3M-$1.9M |
| Project value | $4.5M-$6.5M | $3.0M-$4.2M |
| Timeline | 18-22 months | 14-18 months |
| ROE | 13-20% | 9-15% |
Estimates based on typical Burnaby lots. Actual figures vary by location and project scope.
Burnaby-specific costs
Hard construction costs
- Per sq ft: $330-$400
- 4-unit multiplex (5,000 sq ft): $1.65M-$2.0M
- 6-unit multiplex (6,500 sq ft): $2.15M-$2.6M
- Demolition: $30K-$60K
Soft costs & fees
- DCCs: $100K-$160K ($20-$25/sq ft)
- Development Permit fee: $4K-$10K
- Building Permit fee: $8K-$15K
- Design & engineering: $80K-$130K
- Legal & survey: $15K-$25K
Burnaby permit timeline
Burnaby has introduced an expedited SSMUH permit stream that is generally faster than Vancouver's process:
- Pre-application consultation: 2-4 weeks — recommended to confirm requirements
- Development Permit: 3-5 months — Burnaby's new stream targets faster turnaround
- Building Permit: 2-3 months — technical review and code compliance
- Demolition Permit: 2-4 weeks — can be obtained concurrently with BP
- Construction: 10-14 months — standard build timeline
- Occupancy: 2-4 weeks — final inspections and permit
FAQs
Can I convert my Burnaby house to a multiplex?
Yes. Under SSMUH, Burnaby's R1 and R2 zones now allow 4-6 unit multiplexes. Most conversions involve demolishing and rebuilding for maximum unit count.
How does Burnaby compare to Vancouver for multiplex development?
Burnaby typically has larger lots, lower DCCs, and faster permit processing. Overall costs tend to be 10-15% lower than Vancouver, though sale prices per unit may also be slightly lower.
What are the development charges in Burnaby?
DCCs range from $20-$25 per sq ft. For a typical 5,000 sq ft fourplex, expect $100K-$125K in development charges.
Check your Burnaby property's potential
Enter your Burnaby address to see zoning eligibility, estimated unit count, and a preliminary financial analysis.