Municipality Comparison Guide
Sortable comparison of 20+ Metro Vancouver cities — max units, setbacks, parking requirements, and permit timelines.
Key Takeaways
- ✓ Vancouver and Burnaby allow the most units (up to 6) and have eliminated parking minimums near transit.
- ✓ Surrey, Chilliwack, and Langley City offer the fastest permit timelines (6-8 months).
- ✓ Most municipalities allow 4 units on standard single-family lots under BC's SSMUH legislation.
- ✓ Three municipalities (Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Mission) are still finalizing their SSMUH bylaws.
- ✓ Parking requirements range from 0 (near transit) to 1 per unit, significantly impacting project cost and site layout.
Full Municipality Comparison
Click the column headers marked with arrows to sort. Data reflects current SSMUH bylaws as of early 2026.
| Max Height | Min Parking | Lot Coverage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | 6 | 10.7m | 0 near transit | 45% | 6-9 months | Active |
| Burnaby | 6 | 10.7m | 0 near transit | 45% | 6-10 months | Active |
| Surrey | 4 | 10.0m | 0.5/unit | 40% | 6-8 months | Active |
| Coquitlam | 4 | 11.0m | 0.5/unit | 50% | 7-10 months | Active |
| New Westminster | 4 | 10.7m | 0 near transit | 45% | 8-12 months | Active |
| City of North Van | 4 | 10.0m | 0.5/unit | 40% | 6-9 months | Active |
| District of North Van | 4 | 10.0m | 1/unit | 35% | 8-12 months | Active |
| West Vancouver | 3 | 9.0m | 1/unit | 35% | 10-14 months | Active |
| Richmond | 4 | 10.7m | 0.5/unit | 45% | 6-10 months | Active |
| Delta | 4 | 10.0m | 1/unit | 40% | 8-12 months | Active |
| Port Coquitlam | 4 | 10.0m | 0.5/unit | 40% | 8-10 months | Under Review |
| Port Moody | 4 | 10.0m | 0.5/unit | 40% | 8-12 months | Active |
| Langley City | 4 | 10.7m | 0.5/unit | 45% | 6-8 months | Active |
| Township of Langley | 4 | 10.0m | 1/unit | 40% | 8-12 months | Active |
| Maple Ridge | 4 | 10.0m | 1/unit | 40% | 8-12 months | Under Review |
| Pitt Meadows | 4 | 10.0m | 1/unit | 40% | 8-12 months | Active |
| White Rock | 3 | 9.0m | 1/unit | 35% | 10-14 months | Active |
| Abbotsford | 4 | 10.0m | 1/unit | 40% | 6-10 months | Active |
| Chilliwack | 4 | 10.0m | 1/unit | 40% | 6-8 months | Active |
| Mission | 4 | 10.0m | 1/unit | 40% | 8-10 months | Under Review |
| Squamish | 4 | 10.0m | 0.5/unit | 40% | 8-12 months | Active |
Note: Data is compiled from publicly available municipal bylaws and is subject to change as municipalities update their SSMUH policies. Setbacks, heights, lot coverage, and parking may vary by zone within each city. Always confirm current requirements directly with your local planning department before proceeding.
Best Fit Recommendations
Depending on your project priorities, different municipalities offer distinct advantages.
Vancouver & Burnaby
Both cities allow up to 6 units on eligible lots, the highest in Metro Vancouver. Ideal for maximizing density and rental income potential. Combined with zero parking minimums near transit, these cities offer the most flexible multiplex development environment.
Surrey, Chilliwack & Langley City
These municipalities consistently process SSMUH permits in 6-8 months, the fastest in the region. Surrey's dedicated SSMUH review team and Chilliwack's streamlined process make them top choices for time-sensitive projects.
Vancouver, Burnaby & New West
These cities have eliminated minimum parking requirements for residential projects near frequent transit. Zero parking minimums significantly reduce construction costs and allow for more livable unit layouts and better site utilization.
City Guide Links
Detailed SSMUH zoning and permitting guides for each municipality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Metro Vancouver municipality is best for multiplex development? +
What does 'SSMUH Status: Under Review' mean? +
Are parking minimums really zero in some cities? +
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