Bill 44 Active — Bylaw 960 (May 2024) & Bylaw 975 (Dec 2024) | Updated March 2026

Pemberton SSMUH Multiplex & Co-Housing Guide

Pemberton adopted two SSMUH bylaws enabling up to 4 units per lot plus co-housing with micro-suites. Backed by $2.7M in federal HAF funding, this Sea-to-Sky village is accelerating gentle density with Lions Villa and Wye Lands pre-zoned for higher density.

Pemberton's SSMUH Zoning Framework

Pemberton's SSMUH compliance was established through two bylaw amendments to the parent Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018 (consolidated December 2024):

Bylaw 960 (adopted May 29, 2024): SSMUH compliance and short-term vacation rental regulations
Bylaw 975 (adopted December 10, 2024): HAF amendments adding co-housing as a permitted dwelling type, plus density and parking changes

Together, these bylaws enable a wide range of dwelling types on residential lots, including Pemberton's innovative co-housing model featuring micro-suites with shared common areas -- a unique approach among BC municipalities.

Bill 25 and Ongoing Provincial Compliance

Pemberton is already compliant with Bill 44's SSMUH requirements through Bylaws 960 and 975. In November 2025, BC introduced Bill 25, which requires all local governments to update their bylaws by June 30, 2026. Out of 188 local governments province-wide, 162 have now adopted SSMUH legislation, and Pemberton is among them.

For a village of Pemberton's size, the dual constraints of ALR land and Lillooet River floodplain make ongoing SSMUH refinement particularly nuanced. Homeowners should stay aware of any bylaw updates as the June 2026 provincial deadline approaches.

Unit Allowances by Lot Size

Lot Size	Permitted Types	Max Units
≤ 280 m2	Detached, duplex, secondary suite, garden suite	3 units
> 280 m2	All types incl. carriage house, lock-off, houseplex, co-housing	4 units
ALR parcels	Limited per ALCA regulations	3 units max

Source: Village of Pemberton SSMUH Public Notice

Permitted Dwelling Types

Pemberton permits an unusually broad range of dwelling types under its SSMUH framework, including the innovative co-housing model introduced by Bylaw 975.

Detached Homes

Single-family with suite potential

Duplexes

Side-by-side or up-down configurations

Secondary Suites

Within principal dwelling

Carriage Houses

Max 2 storeys, ground floor max 100 m2

Garden Suites & Lock-Off Suites

Flexible accessory dwelling options

Houseplexes

Multi-unit buildings on eligible lots

Co-Housing (Bylaw 975 -- Unique to Pemberton)

Micro-suites with shared common areas (kitchen, living, laundry). A pioneering housing form in BC's SSMUH landscape, designed for affordability and community living.

Pemberton SSMUH Regulation Snapshot

Parking Requirements

3-4 unit developments: 1 parking space per unit
Co-housing: 1 space per unit
Reductions available: Affordable, rental, or special-needs housing
Large vehicle space: Min 3.05 m width

Setbacks (CD Zone)

Front yard: 6.0 m
Rear yard: 5.0 m
Carriage house side/rear: 3.0 m

See Zoning Bylaw 832 (consolidated) for full zone regulations.

Carriage House Specs

Max storeys: 2
Ground floor max: 100 m2
Side/rear setback: 3.0 m

Housing Forms

Detached, duplexes, secondary suites
Carriage houses & garden suites
Lock-off suites & houseplexes
Co-housing (micro-suites + shared spaces)

ALR & Flood Hazard: Dual Constraints in Pemberton

Pemberton faces two significant development constraints that can limit SSMUH feasibility on certain lots:

Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR): Significant ALR land exists in the Pemberton Valley. Under the Agricultural Land Commission Act (ALCA), ALR parcels are capped at 3 residential units regardless of lot size, overriding municipal SSMUH allowances.
Lillooet River Flood Hazard: Updated floodplain mapping (2018) accounts for the 2010 Mount Meager landslide sedimentation. Properties in the flood hazard area may face additional setbacks, elevation requirements, or development restrictions.
Dual-constraint lots: Properties subject to both ALR and flood hazard designations require careful feasibility analysis. VanPlex can help assess whether your lot is impacted by one or both constraints.

$2.7M HAF Funding & Pre-Zoned Development Lands

Pemberton secured $2.7 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), enabling accelerated zoning reforms and infrastructure investments to support gentle density development across the village.

Lions Villa & Wye Lands

Both Lions Villa and Wye Lands have been pre-zoned for higher density as part of the HAF initiative. These strategic sites are positioned to deliver significant new housing supply as development applications progress.

Development Activity

Since December 2024: 3 building permits issued under the new SSMUH framework. Additionally, 2 active applications for 100+ dwellings are in the pipeline, signaling strong developer interest in Pemberton's housing market.

Bylaw 975: HAF Amendments

Adopted December 10, 2024, Bylaw 975 introduced co-housing as a permitted dwelling type, adjusted density allowances, and modified parking requirements. These changes directly resulted from the HAF funding commitment.

Population Context

With a population of approximately 2,633 (2021 census), Pemberton is one of BC's smaller municipalities implementing SSMUH. The HAF investment represents over $1,000 per resident in housing acceleration funding.

How VanPlex Supports Pemberton SSMUH Projects

Concept to Permit

We coordinate architects, engineers, and consultants to ensure your Pemberton SSMUH project aligns with Bylaws 960 and 975. From co-housing feasibility to carriage house configurations, we handle the regulatory complexity including ALR and flood hazard assessments.

Feasibility Analysis

Comprehensive analysis of your Pemberton lot's SSMUH potential, including zone classification, ALR status, flood hazard mapping, unit configurations, parking requirements, and development pro forma projections.

Request Your Pemberton SSMUH Feasibility

Share your Pemberton address to receive a tailored analysis including your SSMUH eligibility, unit allowance, ALR/flood status, parking requirements, and development pro forma.

Getting Started with Pemberton SSMUH

Before beginning your Pemberton SSMUH project, follow these steps:

Review the Bylaw 960 public notice to confirm SSMUH eligibility for your lot
Check whether your property falls within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), which caps units at 3
Review the updated floodplain mapping (2018) to determine if your lot is in the Lillooet River flood hazard area
Determine your target dwelling type: standard SSMUH (duplex, carriage house, garden suite) or co-housing (micro-suites with shared areas)
Review the consolidated Zoning Bylaw 832 for setbacks, lot coverage, and zone-specific requirements

Contact Pemberton Development Services: For zoning and development questions, email developmentservices@pemberton.ca. For bylaw inquiries, call 604-894-6135. For building permit questions, call 604-894-6135 ext. 249.

Official Pemberton SSMUH Resources

Bylaw 960 Public Notice

SSMUH compliance and short-term vacation rental regulations

Zoning Bylaw 832 (Consolidated PDF)

Complete zoning bylaw including Bylaw 960 and 975 amendments

Village of Pemberton Bylaws

Full bylaw library including zoning amendments

Development Services

Building permits, development applications, and planning inquiries

Mayor & Council

Contact elected officials regarding housing policy

Community Maps

Zoning maps, ALR boundaries, and floodplain mapping

BC SSMUH Provincial Page

Province of BC's small-scale multi-unit housing initiative overview

Bill 25 SSMUH Policy Bulletin (PDF)

Provincial policy bulletin on Bill 25 bylaw update requirements by June 2026

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