Bill 44 Active — June 2024, Bylaw 2461 Adopted March 2025 | Updated March 2026

Whistler SSMUH Multiplex & Employee Housing Guide

Whistler's Bill 44 implementation affects 40 restricted zones, allowing up to 4 units per lot with mandatory employee housing requirements. Bylaw 2461 was adopted March 2025 with refinements to the original SSMUH rules, and an OCP amendment is underway. The only resort municipality in BC with SSMUH-linked workforce housing obligations.

Whistler's SSMUH Zoning Framework

In June 2024, the Resort Municipality of Whistler adopted its initial SSMUH bylaw amendments to comply with BC's Bill 44. The Province gave municipalities a tight 6-month timeline, so not all pieces were considered in the original bylaw. In March 2025, Whistler Council adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2461 (Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Updates) at the March 11, 2025 Council meeting, described by staff as "bug fixes and system upgrades" to refine the original rules. These amendments update the parent Bylaw 303 (2015).

The amendments affect 40 restricted zones across the municipality. Whistler's approach is unique among BC municipalities: it ties SSMUH density directly to employee housing obligations, reflecting the resort community's acute workforce housing crisis. Because Whistler lacks frequent transit service, the maximum density is 4 units per lot (no 6-unit allowance).

Municipal staff have noted that current development projects, already-zoned projects, and the SSMUH bylaw collectively allow for projected housing needs over the next 20 years. A 2025 Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment is also underway, as OCP and zoning bylaws required updates by December 31, 2025.

Unit Allowances & Employee Housing Requirements

Units	Employee Housing Requirement	Market Units
2 units	Second dwelling must be employee housing	1 market unit
3 units	At least 1 unit must be employee housing	Up to 2 market units
4 units (max)	At least 2 units must be employee housing	Up to 2 market units

Employee housing is administered by the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA). An annual statutory declaration is required. No rent or price restrictions apply to employee-restricted units.

Source: Resort Municipality of Whistler SSMUH Page

Employee Housing Requirement: Whistler's Key Differentiator

Whistler is the only municipality in BC that links SSMUH density directly to employee housing obligations. This reflects the resort community's unique challenge: a workforce that largely cannot afford market-rate housing in the Sea-to-Sky corridor.

~$850,000

Approximate value of employee-restricted units

~$3,000,000

Approximate value of market-rate units in Whistler

How Employee Housing Works

Administered by WHA: The Whistler Housing Authority oversees compliance and manages the employee housing program
Annual statutory declaration: Property owners must file annually confirming employee housing occupancy
No rent/price restrictions: Employee-restricted units have no caps on rent or sale price, only occupancy requirements
Significant price differential: ~$850K (employee) vs ~$3M (market) creates a distinct financial dynamic for developers

Municipal Employee Housing Projects

Beyond private SSMUH development, Whistler is investing directly in employee housing. In February 2025, Council endorsed the project plan for 1600 Mount Fee Road (Lot 3), conditionally approving $5.9 million from the employee housing reserve fund to advance the project.

The neighbouring Lot 5 at Mount Fee Road remains under construction, with completion expected in early 2026 and occupancy slated for 2028. Together, these projects represent the municipality's parallel approach to the housing crisis: expanding employee housing supply through both SSMUH-enabled private development and direct municipal investment.

Resort Economy & Bed Cap Tension with Bill 44

Whistler operates under a long-standing bed cap of approximately 57,000-61,500 bed units, designed to preserve the resort's character and manage infrastructure capacity. Bill 44's SSMUH provisions effectively override this cap for eligible lots, creating unique tensions in Whistler's planning framework.

The provincial SSMUH legislation overrides Whistler's bed cap restrictions for eligible residential lots
No 6-unit density available: Whistler lacks the frequent transit service required by the Province
Employee housing requirements help balance resort economics with workforce needs
Staff are recommending height increases beyond the current RS1 zone limits to improve feasibility

Whistler SSMUH Regulation Snapshot

Parking Requirements

Standard: 1 parking space per unit, maximum 6 total
Tandem parking: Permitted
Gondola Exchange TOD: No parking required (except accessible spaces)

Height & Coverage

RS1 zone height: 7.6 m / 2 storeys (increases being recommended)
Lot coverage: 35%
Max bedrooms (RS1 detached): 4

Unit Sizes

Minimum unit size: 32.5 m2 (added by Bylaw 2461)
Minimum GFA (detached dwelling): 46.5 m2

See Whistler SSMUH page for full regulations.

Uptake Since June 2024

18 formal SSMUH applications submitted
38 total units proposed across applications
5 additional inquiries in progress
Fourplexes identified as most financially feasible form

How VanPlex Supports Whistler SSMUH Projects

Concept to Permit

We coordinate architects, engineers, and consultants to ensure your Whistler SSMUH project aligns with Bylaws 2461/2463 and the applicable zone requirements. From fourplex feasibility to employee housing compliance, we handle the regulatory complexity unique to this resort municipality.

Feasibility Analysis

Comprehensive analysis of your Whistler lot's SSMUH potential, including zone classification, employee housing requirements, unit configurations, WHA compliance, and pro forma projections factoring the ~$850K employee vs ~$3M market unit dynamics.

Request Your Whistler SSMUH Feasibility

Share your Whistler address to receive a tailored analysis including your SSMUH zone, unit allowance, employee housing obligations, parking requirements, and development pro forma.

Getting Started with Whistler SSMUH

Before beginning your Whistler SSMUH project, follow these steps:

Use the Whistler SSMUH page to confirm your lot is in one of the 40 affected restricted zones
Understand the employee housing requirements for your target unit count (2, 3, or 4 units) and the annual statutory declaration obligation
Contact the Whistler Housing Authority (604-905-4688) early to understand employee housing administration and compliance
Review site-specific constraints including lot coverage (35%), height limits (7.6 m in RS1), and minimum unit sizes (32.5 m2)
Check the Housing Legislation FAQs for answers to common development questions
Consider fourplex development, identified as the most financially feasible SSMUH form in Whistler

Contact Whistler Planning: For zoning and development questions, email planning@whistler.ca or call 604-935-8170.

Building Permits: Email building@whistler.ca or call 604-935-8150.

Employee Housing (WHA): Call 604-905-4688 for employee housing program administration and compliance.

Official Whistler SSMUH Resources

Whistler SSMUH Page

Official overview, affected zones, employee housing requirements, and bylaw details

Housing Legislation FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Whistler's housing legislation changes

Provincial Legislation Overview

Whistler's full provincial housing legislation hub including SSMUH, TOD, and Bill 44

Housing Legislation Property Impacts

Look up how provincial housing legislation affects your specific property

2025 OCP Amendment

Official Community Plan amendment process and public engagement portal

Land Use & Development

General development information, zoning maps, and planning resources

Whistler Housing Authority

Employee housing program, compliance, and administration (604-905-4688)

Keep exploring

More multiplex support for Whistler

Dive deeper into British Columbia's gentle density rollout with provincial guidance, statewide policy explainers, and practical tools that keep your Whistler multiplex project on track.