Bill 44 Active — Updated March 2026

Port Moody SSMUH Multiplex & Gentle Density Guide

Port Moody's Bylaw No. 3460 enables small-scale multi-unit housing across 4,236 eligible lots (12 for 3 units, 3,709 for 4 units, 515 for 6 units within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop), with zero parking requirements near transit. Bylaw No. 3506 was presented to Council on April 8, 2025 for consideration, adding SSMUH to CD zones. The city's SSMUH Guide v1.0 (released July 4, 2025) provides clear development standards. Eligible zones include RS1, RS1-S, RS2, RS3, RS5-RS9, and RT, plus CD zones. Exemptions apply for heritage protections, properties unconnected to water/sewer, or within TOA designations (handled separately by the Province).

Port Moody's SSMUH Zoning Framework

On June 25, 2024, Port Moody adopted Bylaw No. 3460 (Amendment Bylaw No. 94, 2024), amending the base Zoning Bylaw No. 2937 (2018) to comply with BC's Bill 44 Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) legislation. This opened residential zones to multiplex development across the city.

In 2025, the city advanced two follow-up amendments: Bylaw No. 3506 was presented to Council on April 8, 2025 for consideration, extending SSMUH eligibility to additional Comprehensive Development (CD) zones, while Bylaw No. 3523 refined development standards further. The city's Guide to SSMUH v1.0 (released July 4, 2025) now serves as the primary reference for development standards and design guidance. Exemptions from SSMUH apply for properties with heritage protections, those unconnected to municipal water or sewer, or those within TOA designations (which are handled separately by the Province).

Port Moody's OCP 2050 projects population growth from 38,900 to 74,300 by 2050, and the province has set a housing target of 1,694 net new units by October 2028. Development Cost Charges and Amenity Cost Charges updates are underway for 2025, with a Development Approval Procedures & Fees Bylaw targeted by early 2026.

Unit Allowances by Lot Size & Location

Lot Size	Location	Max Units	Eligible Lots
< 280 m2	Any eligible lot	3 units	12 lots
280-4,050 m2	Outside 400 m of frequent bus stop	4 units	3,709 lots
280-4,050 m2	Within 400 m of frequent bus stop	6 units	515 lots

Total: 4,236 eligible lots across Port Moody. Source: City of Port Moody SSMUH Page

Eligible Lot Tiers

Lots under 280 m2

Up to 3 units

12 lots

Small residential lots eligible for triplex development.

Lots 280-4,050 m2 (outside 400 m transit)

Up to 4 units

3,709 lots

The vast majority of eligible lots. Standard multiplex development up to fourplex.

Lots 280-4,050 m2 (within 400 m frequent bus stop)

Up to 6 units

515 lots

Transit-proximate lots with the highest unit allowance and no minimum parking.

Floor Space Ratio (FSR)

Graduated scale based on unit count. No individual unit size restriction -- density is governed entirely by FSR.

3 units: 0.70
4 units: 0.80
5-6 units: up to 1.00

Maximum Height

All SSMUH developments allow up to 3 storeys, promoting building up rather than out.

3-4 units: 10.5 m (34'5")(3 storeys)
5-6 units: 11.5 m (37'8")(3 storeys)

Port Moody SSMUH Regulation Snapshot

Parking Requirements

Within 400 m of frequent bus stop: No minimum parking required
Transit Oriented Areas (TOA): No minimum parking required
Outside transit areas: ~1 space per 1BR, ~1.5 spaces per 2+BR

Setbacks

Front yard: 4.6 m
Side yard: 1.5 m
Rear yard (with lane): 1.5 m
Rear yard (no lane): 4.0 m
Building separation: 6.0 m

Lot Coverage

4 units: 40% lot coverage
Range: 45-50% depending on configuration

Tree Canopy Requirements

55 trees per hectare minimum
35% canopy cover required

Among the most stringent urban canopy requirements in Metro Vancouver.

Transit Oriented Areas & Eligible Zones

Port Moody has two Transit Oriented Areas (TOAs) around the Moody Centre and Inlet Centre SkyTrain stations. TOA areas are exempt from SSMUH as they are handled separately by the Province. Within TOAs, no minimum parking is required.

Outside the TOAs, SSMUH applies to lots in the following zones, covering all single-family residential areas across the city.

Eligible Zoning Districts

RS1RS1-S (Heritage Character Area)RS2RS3RS5RS6RS7RS8RS9RT+ CD zones (Bylaw 3506)

Transit Oriented Areas

Moody Centre SkyTrain -- exempt from SSMUH, higher density permitted
Inlet Centre SkyTrain -- exempt from SSMUH, higher density permitted

TOA properties follow separate density regulations and do not require parking minimums.

Moody Centre Heritage Character Area

Lots zoned RS1-S in the Moody Centre Heritage Character Area are subject to special design guidelines that aim to preserve the historic character of Port Moody's original townsite. SSMUH development on these lots must adhere to additional architectural and massing standards. Consult the city's planning department before proceeding with development applications on RS1-S lots.

Key SSMUH Changes in Port Moody

Port Moody's implementation of BC's Bill 44 has been a staged process: the foundational Bylaw 3460 in June 2024, Bylaw 3506 presented to Council April 8, 2025 for consideration (adding CD zones), Bylaw 3523 in 2025 to refine the framework, and the comprehensive SSMUH Guide v1.0 released July 4, 2025.

Bylaw No. 3460 adopted June 25, 2024 amending Zoning Bylaw No. 2937 to implement SSMUH across residential zones.
Bylaw No. 3506 presented to Council April 8, 2025 for consideration, extending SSMUH eligibility to CD (Comprehensive Development) zones.
Bylaw No. 3523 adopted in 2025 as a refinement amendment to the original SSMUH framework.
Guide to SSMUH v1.0 released July 4, 2025 providing detailed development standards and design guidance.
Exemptions apply for heritage protections, properties unconnected to water/sewer, or within TOA designations (handled separately by the Province).
Three-storey buildings explicitly encouraged to promote building up rather than out on residential lots.
Graduated FSR scale (0.70 to 1.00) replaces fixed density limits, with no individual unit size restriction.
No minimum parking required within 400 m of a frequent bus stop or within Transit Oriented Areas.
Riparian Protection and Enhancement Areas apply where watercourses exist, affecting site planning on some lots.
Moody Centre Heritage Character Area receives special design guidelines for RS1-S zoned lots.
55 trees per hectare and 35% canopy cover required for all SSMUH developments.
Housing target of 1,694 net new units by October 2028 under provincial requirements.

Understanding Missing Middle Housing in Port Moody

Missing middle housing fills the gap between single-family homes and high-rise apartments. Port Moody's SSMUH zoning enables these gentle density housing types across 4,236 eligible lots:

Duplexes & Triplexes

2-3 units on smaller lots, gentle density transitions

Fourplexes

4 units at 0.80 FSR -- the most common opportunity (3,709 lots)

Sixplexes

Up to 6 units near frequent transit at up to 1.00 FSR

Secondary Suites

Additional suites within the unit count allowances

Why Port Moody SSMUH Matters

Port Moody's gentle density approach through SSMUH creates more housing options in the Tri-Cities while preserving the city's waterfront character and natural setting. With two SkyTrain stations, strong recreational amenities, and projected population growth to 74,300, Port Moody is positioned as a key missing middle housing market in Metro Vancouver.

How VanPlex Supports Port Moody SSMUH Projects

Concept to Permit

We coordinate architects, engineers, and consultants to ensure your Port Moody SSMUH project aligns with Bylaw 2937 as amended by Bylaws 3460, 3506, and 3523, including the SSMUH Guide v1.0 design standards, tree canopy, and riparian requirements.

Feasibility Analysis

Comprehensive analysis of your Port Moody lot's SSMUH potential, including zone classification, transit proximity for 6-unit eligibility, FSR modeling, Heritage Character Area compliance, and development pro forma projections.

Request Your Port Moody SSMUH Feasibility

Share your Port Moody address to receive a tailored analysis including your SSMUH zone, unit allowance, FSR capacity, parking requirements, and development pro forma.

Getting Started with Port Moody SSMUH

Before beginning your Port Moody SSMUH project, work through these key considerations:

Confirm your lot's zoning is among the eligible zones (RS1, RS1-S, RS2, RS3, RS5-RS9, RT, or CD zones).
Determine whether your lot is within 400 m of a frequent bus stop for 6-unit eligibility and zero parking.
Check if your property falls within a Transit Oriented Area (Moody Centre or Inlet Centre SkyTrain stations) — TOA areas are exempt from SSMUH as they are handled separately by the Province.
Verify exemptions: heritage protections, properties unconnected to municipal water/sewer, or TOA designations may exclude your lot from SSMUH.
For RS1-S lots in the Moody Centre Heritage Character Area, review special design guidelines.
Assess tree canopy requirements: 55 trees/hectare and 35% canopy cover may affect site layout.
Review environmental constraints including steep slopes, watercourses, and geotechnical considerations.
Check for Riparian Protection and Enhancement Areas if your lot is near a watercourse, as these restrict buildable area.
Factor in the 6.0 m building separation requirement when planning multi-building configurations.

Contact Port Moody Planning: Call 604-469-4540 or email planning@portmoody.ca. City Hall: 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody, BC V3H 5C3.

Official Port Moody SSMUH Resources

Port Moody SSMUH Page

Official overview, eligible zones, and application information

Guide to SSMUH v1.0 (PDF)

Comprehensive development standards and design guidance, published July 2025

Transit Oriented Areas (TOA)

Higher-density regulations around Moody Centre and Inlet Centre SkyTrain stations

Port Moody 2050 OCP Update

Official Community Plan update for population growth and housing targets

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