How many homes can be built at 1971 W 36th Avenue?

The lot is 6,000 sq ft (557 m²) with 50 ft (15.2 m) of frontage. Vancouver's R1-1 District Schedule requires at least 557 m² of site area and 15.1 m of frontage for a multiple dwelling of 6 or more units (section 3.1.2.1), so this lot meets the minimums for up to 6 units, or up to 8 where the residential floor area is secured as 100% rental tenure. Meeting the minimums is not approval: a multiplex is a conditional approval use in R1-1, so the City decides each application on its merits.

Is 1971 W 36th Avenue zoned for a multiplex?

The lot is zoned R1-1, read from the City of Vancouver's own zoning record and stamped on 2026-07-25. R1-1 permits a multiple dwelling, which is the by-law's term for a multiplex, containing no more than 8 dwelling units. It is a conditional approval use, which means the Director of Planning may approve it, with or without conditions, after considering the intent of the schedule and applicable Council policies (section 2.1).

What is the lot size and frontage at 1971 W 36th Avenue?

6,000 sq ft, which is 557 m², with 50 ft (15.2 m) of frontage, listed with dimensions of 50 x 120. These are the figures published in the MLS® listing and should be confirmed against a survey before you rely on them.

How much floor area can be built at 1971 W 36th Avenue?

R1-1 caps floor space ratio at 1.00 for a multiple dwelling (section 3.1.1.2). Floor space ratio is the building's floor area divided by the site area. On this 6,000 sq ft lot that puts the ceiling near 6,000 sq ft of floor area, before any exclusions the by-law allows.

Does 1971 W 36th Avenue meet the minimum lot size for a sixplex in Vancouver?

Yes, on lot size and frontage. A multiple dwelling of 6 or more dwelling units needs at least 557 m² of site area and 15.1 m of frontage (section 3.1.2.1). This lot is 557 m² with 15.2 m of frontage, so it clears both.

How many two-bedroom homes does Vancouver require in a multiplex this size?

For a multiple dwelling containing 6 dwelling units, at least 3 of them must have 2 or more bedrooms. Where every unit except one occupied by a registered owner is secured as residential rental tenure, the minimum drops to 2 (section 2.2.8).

What is the land price per square foot at 1971 W 36th Avenue?

The listing is priced at $3,890,000 for a 6,000 sq ft lot, which works out to about $648 per square foot of land. Both figures come from the MLS® listing.

Does an R1-1 lot need a lane to build a multiplex?

Yes. Section 2.2.7 permits a multiple dwelling only on a site that provides vehicular access from the rear. The same section requires the site to be a single lot that was on record in the Land Title Office before October 17, 2023, or was created by subdivision, and requires it to sit outside a designated flood plain.

What is R1-1 zoning in Vancouver?

R1-1 is Vancouver's Residential Inclusive district. The schedule states its intent as enabling a variety of small-scale housing options while retaining the single lot character of the area. Those options include multiple dwellings, described in the by-law as multiplexes of up to 6 dwelling units or up to 8 rental dwelling units, along with duplexes and single detached houses, each of which may add units such as secondary suites, lock-off units and laneway houses (section 1.1).

Multiplex is the everyday word for what Vancouver's by-law calls a multiple dwelling: one building on a single lot containing several separate homes. In R1-1 the use is written as a multiple dwelling containing no more than 8 dwelling units (section 2.1).

A sixplex is a building with six separate homes. In R1-1, 6 dwelling units is the maximum where the tenure includes anything other than rental, such as strata (section 3.1.1.3(b)(i)), and the lot must be at least 557 m² with 15.1 m of frontage (section 3.1.2.1).

Can you build 8 units on an R1-1 lot in Vancouver?

Only where the residential floor area is secured as 100% residential rental tenure. In that case the maximum is 8 dwelling units (section 3.1.1.3(a)), and 1 of them may still be occupied by a registered owner of the site (section 3.1.1.4). Where the tenure includes anything other than rental, the maximum is 6 (section 3.1.1.3(b)(i)).

Can you build a duplex on an R1-1 lot?

Yes. A duplex is an outright approval use in R1-1, which means a permit will be issued where the application complies with the by-law, rather than being weighed case by case. The minimum site area for a duplex, or for a single detached house, is 306 m² (sections 1.2 and 2.1).

How many homes can go on one lot under R1-1?

It depends on the size of the lot. The schedule sets three steps for a multiple dwelling: 306 m² and 10.0 m of frontage for 3 or 4 dwelling units, 464 m² and 13.4 m for 5, and 557 m² and 15.1 m for 6 or more (sections 3.1.2.3, 3.1.2.2 and 3.1.2.1). A 3-unit building is limited to lots no larger than 463 m² and no wider than 13.3 m (section 3.1.2.3).

How tall can a multiplex be in R1-1?

Up to 11.5 m and 3 storeys for buildings on the street, and up to 8.5 m and 2 storeys for a rear building (section 3.1.2.5).

What are the setbacks for a multiplex in R1-1?

The minimum front yard depth is 4.9 m, the minimum side yard width is 1.2 m, and the minimum rear yard depth is 10.7 m, or 0.9 m for a building in a courtyard configuration (sections 3.1.2.6 to 3.1.2.8). A building may be no more than 19.8 m deep and 17.4 m wide (sections 3.1.2.9 and 3.1.2.10).

How deep does a lot have to be for a multiplex in R1-1?

At least 30.4 m, or 33.5 m where the buildings are in a courtyard configuration (section 3.1.2.4). Depth is measured from the survey, so check it against the title plan rather than the listing.

Can the homes in a Vancouver multiplex be sold separately?

The by-law does not decide how the homes are sold, but it does treat tenure differently in its density rules. Floor area secured as 100% residential rental tenure allows up to 8 dwelling units, while tenure that includes anything else, such as strata title, is capped at 6 (section 3.1.1.3). Building for separate sale therefore means planning around the lower unit count.

How do I check the zoning of a property in Vancouver?

Zoning is published by the City of Vancouver in its Zoning and Development By-law, with a separate district schedule for each zone. The zone shown for this property was read from the City's own zoning record and stamped on 2026-07-25. Zoning changes, so confirm the current zone and its schedule with the City before you make an offer.

Which version of the R1-1 rules are these answers based on?

The June 2026 consolidation of the City of Vancouver Zoning and Development By-law, R1-1 District Schedule. Every figure above cites the section it comes from so it can be checked against that document.

1971 W 36TH AVENUE, Vancouver

$3,890,000

This 6,000 sqft property in Vancouver is a detached single-family home on a lot the new rules make suitable for a multiplex. In Vancouver, most single-family lots fall under the R1-1 zone, which allows a multiplex of up to six units on many lots, and more on larger or corner sites. The final count depends on lot area, frontage, and whether you keep any existing character home, so each lot should be checked against the city's rules.

Welcome to this amazing character home nestled on a quiet, beautiful, tree lined street in the coveted Quilchena neighbourhood. This lovely 3371 sqft 4 bedroom gem enjoys abundant natural light and a very generous floorplan with elegant hardwood flooring. Entertainment sized living and dining rooms and well appointed kitchen with large island and quartz counters throughout. Situated on a large 50' x 120' lot with mature landscaping in the private back yard garden plus a garage and convenient lane access. Enjoy your morning coffee on one of the three decks and an evening cocktail on one of the two large, private front porches. Close to Vancouver's finest schools, parks, shopping, YVR and transit and only steps from the wonderful Arbutus Greenway. Your beautiful oasis awaits!

How this price compares

This lot asks $648 per square foot of lot. That is 46% above the median of $445 across the 782 active lots VanPlex is showing in Vancouver, and puts it 646 of 782 from cheapest to most expensive. Asking prices only, taken from the current MLS® feed.

Land price per square foot is only one input. Frontage, lane access, slope, and how many homes the zoning actually allows decide what a lot is worth to a builder.

Lot and property details

Price: $3,890,000
Lot size: 6,000 sqft
Lot dimensions: 50 x 120
Frontage: 50 ft
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4
Year built: 1910
Zoning: R1-1
MLS® area: Quilchena
MLS® number: R3124436

What the R1-1 District Schedule allows on a lot this size

This lot is listed at 6,000 sq ft (557 m²) with 50 ft (15.2 m) of frontage. The City of Vancouver sets a minimum site area and frontage for each multiplex size:

Multiplex size	Minimum site area	Minimum frontage	Section
3 or 4 dwelling units	306 m² (3,294 sq ft)	10.0 m (32.8 ft)	3.1.2.3
5 dwelling units	464 m² (4,994 sq ft)	13.4 m (44.0 ft)	3.1.2.2
6 or more dwelling units	557 m² (5,995 sq ft)	15.1 m (49.5 ft)	3.1.2.1

At those figures, this lot meets the minimum site area and frontage the schedule sets for up to 6 units, or up to 8 where the residential floor area is secured as 100% rental tenure (section 3.1.2.1). The schedule caps floor space ratio at 1.00 (section 3.1.1.2). Floor space ratio is the building’s floor area divided by the site area, so on this lot that puts the ceiling near 6,000 sq ft of floor area, before any exclusions the by-law allows.

Meeting the minimums is not the same as being approved. A multiplex is a conditional approval use in R1-1, and section 2.2.7 also requires the site to have vehicle access from the rear, to have been a single lot on record in the Land Title Office before October 17, 2023 or created by subdivision, and to sit outside a designated flood plain.

Lot size and frontage are the figures in the MLS® listing and should be confirmed against a survey. Zoning R1-1 was stamped from the City of Vancouver record on 2026-07-25. Rules are from the City of Vancouver Zoning and Development By-law, R1-1 District Schedule, June 2026 consolidation.

Want the PlexScore and return on equity for this lot? Try PlexPro free for 14 days. Cancel before day 14 and you pay nothing.

Listing data via MLS®. Displayed for information only. Zoning R1-1 stamped from the city record on 2026-07-25.

Questions about this lot and Vancouver’s R1-1 rules

Answers below come from the City of Vancouver’s own zoning by-law and from this listing’s MLS® figures. Each one names the by-law section it is based on.

How many homes can be built at 1971 W 36th Avenue?: The lot is 6,000 sq ft (557 m²) with 50 ft (15.2 m) of frontage. Vancouver's R1-1 District Schedule requires at least 557 m² of site area and 15.1 m of frontage for a multiple dwelling of 6 or more units (section 3.1.2.1), so this lot meets the minimums for up to 6 units, or up to 8 where the residential floor area is secured as 100% rental tenure. Meeting the minimums is not approval: a multiplex is a conditional approval use in R1-1, so the City decides each application on its merits.
Is 1971 W 36th Avenue zoned for a multiplex?: The lot is zoned R1-1, read from the City of Vancouver's own zoning record and stamped on 2026-07-25. R1-1 permits a multiple dwelling, which is the by-law's term for a multiplex, containing no more than 8 dwelling units. It is a conditional approval use, which means the Director of Planning may approve it, with or without conditions, after considering the intent of the schedule and applicable Council policies (section 2.1).
What is the lot size and frontage at 1971 W 36th Avenue?: 6,000 sq ft, which is 557 m², with 50 ft (15.2 m) of frontage, listed with dimensions of 50 x 120. These are the figures published in the MLS® listing and should be confirmed against a survey before you rely on them.
How much floor area can be built at 1971 W 36th Avenue?: R1-1 caps floor space ratio at 1.00 for a multiple dwelling (section 3.1.1.2). Floor space ratio is the building's floor area divided by the site area. On this 6,000 sq ft lot that puts the ceiling near 6,000 sq ft of floor area, before any exclusions the by-law allows.
Does 1971 W 36th Avenue meet the minimum lot size for a sixplex in Vancouver?: Yes, on lot size and frontage. A multiple dwelling of 6 or more dwelling units needs at least 557 m² of site area and 15.1 m of frontage (section 3.1.2.1). This lot is 557 m² with 15.2 m of frontage, so it clears both.
How many two-bedroom homes does Vancouver require in a multiplex this size?: For a multiple dwelling containing 6 dwelling units, at least 3 of them must have 2 or more bedrooms. Where every unit except one occupied by a registered owner is secured as residential rental tenure, the minimum drops to 2 (section 2.2.8).
What is the land price per square foot at 1971 W 36th Avenue?: The listing is priced at $3,890,000 for a 6,000 sq ft lot, which works out to about $648 per square foot of land. Both figures come from the MLS® listing.
Does an R1-1 lot need a lane to build a multiplex?: Yes. Section 2.2.7 permits a multiple dwelling only on a site that provides vehicular access from the rear. The same section requires the site to be a single lot that was on record in the Land Title Office before October 17, 2023, or was created by subdivision, and requires it to sit outside a designated flood plain.
What is R1-1 zoning in Vancouver?: R1-1 is Vancouver's Residential Inclusive district. The schedule states its intent as enabling a variety of small-scale housing options while retaining the single lot character of the area. Those options include multiple dwellings, described in the by-law as multiplexes of up to 6 dwelling units or up to 8 rental dwelling units, along with duplexes and single detached houses, each of which may add units such as secondary suites, lock-off units and laneway houses (section 1.1).
What is a multiplex?: Multiplex is the everyday word for what Vancouver's by-law calls a multiple dwelling: one building on a single lot containing several separate homes. In R1-1 the use is written as a multiple dwelling containing no more than 8 dwelling units (section 2.1).
What is a sixplex?: A sixplex is a building with six separate homes. In R1-1, 6 dwelling units is the maximum where the tenure includes anything other than rental, such as strata (section 3.1.1.3(b)(i)), and the lot must be at least 557 m² with 15.1 m of frontage (section 3.1.2.1).
Can you build 8 units on an R1-1 lot in Vancouver?: Only where the residential floor area is secured as 100% residential rental tenure. In that case the maximum is 8 dwelling units (section 3.1.1.3(a)), and 1 of them may still be occupied by a registered owner of the site (section 3.1.1.4). Where the tenure includes anything other than rental, the maximum is 6 (section 3.1.1.3(b)(i)).
Can you build a duplex on an R1-1 lot?: Yes. A duplex is an outright approval use in R1-1, which means a permit will be issued where the application complies with the by-law, rather than being weighed case by case. The minimum site area for a duplex, or for a single detached house, is 306 m² (sections 1.2 and 2.1).
How many homes can go on one lot under R1-1?: It depends on the size of the lot. The schedule sets three steps for a multiple dwelling: 306 m² and 10.0 m of frontage for 3 or 4 dwelling units, 464 m² and 13.4 m for 5, and 557 m² and 15.1 m for 6 or more (sections 3.1.2.3, 3.1.2.2 and 3.1.2.1). A 3-unit building is limited to lots no larger than 463 m² and no wider than 13.3 m (section 3.1.2.3).
How tall can a multiplex be in R1-1?: Up to 11.5 m and 3 storeys for buildings on the street, and up to 8.5 m and 2 storeys for a rear building (section 3.1.2.5).
What are the setbacks for a multiplex in R1-1?: The minimum front yard depth is 4.9 m, the minimum side yard width is 1.2 m, and the minimum rear yard depth is 10.7 m, or 0.9 m for a building in a courtyard configuration (sections 3.1.2.6 to 3.1.2.8). A building may be no more than 19.8 m deep and 17.4 m wide (sections 3.1.2.9 and 3.1.2.10).
How deep does a lot have to be for a multiplex in R1-1?: At least 30.4 m, or 33.5 m where the buildings are in a courtyard configuration (section 3.1.2.4). Depth is measured from the survey, so check it against the title plan rather than the listing.
Can the homes in a Vancouver multiplex be sold separately?: The by-law does not decide how the homes are sold, but it does treat tenure differently in its density rules. Floor area secured as 100% residential rental tenure allows up to 8 dwelling units, while tenure that includes anything else, such as strata title, is capped at 6 (section 3.1.1.3). Building for separate sale therefore means planning around the lower unit count.
How do I check the zoning of a property in Vancouver?: Zoning is published by the City of Vancouver in its Zoning and Development By-law, with a separate district schedule for each zone. The zone shown for this property was read from the City's own zoning record and stamped on 2026-07-25. Zoning changes, so confirm the current zone and its schedule with the City before you make an offer.
Which version of the R1-1 rules are these answers based on?: The June 2026 consolidation of the City of Vancouver Zoning and Development By-law, R1-1 District Schedule. Every figure above cites the section it comes from so it can be checked against that document.

Zoning rules are quoted from the City of Vancouver Zoning and Development By-law, R1-1 District Schedule, June 2026 consolidation. Lot figures are from the MLS® listing and should be confirmed against a survey. Nothing here is a development approval or advice on a specific project.