Vancouver Laneway Homes

Vancouver Laneway Homes

In July 28, 2009 the City of Vancouver approved Laneway Homes to be built on lots where normally a garage would be placed.

Laneway Homes Offer Supportable Eco-Density

Vancouver and other cities in the Lower Mainland have found that building laneway homes creates an excellent source of affordable rental homes for urban residents in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Part of the reason behind this project is the effort to increase the number of people living in Vancouver; and in the drive for eco-density, this type of building provides an affordable self contained second home on a single-family lot, while giving privacy and green space to all occupants. A rented laneway house can also provide an additional source of income for the homeowner.

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A Laneway House For Aging Family Members?

Building a laneway home on an existing lot is a good way to care for aging family members, or accommodate the need for affordable living space for young families. Recently, in an article about the 2012 Laneway Homes Tour that took place in October, the Vancouver Heritage Foundation noted that these small homes have become popular among those dealing with the challenges of affordability … “with rising housing costs, the laneway house has become a popular alternative for urban couples looking to move out of parents’ basements or highrise rentals.”

Preserving Historic Homes By Building a Laneway Home

The Vancouver Heritage Foundation also noted that laneway homes can provide financial benefits for the owner of the property’s main residence. “Built behind existing homes, these structures offer added income for the owner, can be a great rental option for young families, and preserve historic homes by infilling rear yards, which allows for gentler densification versus demolition and new builds.”

Vancouver Laneway Homes Requirements:

• RS-1 and RS-5 Single Family areas
• Lots 33’ wide and wider with an open lane, on a double fronting street or on a corner with a corner with a lane dedication
• Unit within the area on the rear 26’ of the lot with a minimum 16’ separation between the laneway home and the main house
• Rental or Family only no strata titled
• Minimum of one on-site parking space
• Unit size will be based on the lot size with a maximum of 750 sq ft
• 1 and 1 ½ storey configurations are acceptable

Kerr Construction can design and build your ideal laneway home.
Contact us to talk about your ideas.