Letter from Min. R. Kahlon Re: SSMUH Requirements to Bill 44

July 24, 2024 Reference: 68879

Dear Mayors and Chairs:

Last year, to support our government’s ongoing work in tackling the housing crisis and providing more homes to meet the needs of British Columbians, we passed legislation requiring local governments to update their zoning bylaws to make it easier to build Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH). I would like to acknowledge the tremendous work that most local governments across BC have undertaken to comply with this new legislation.

As you are aware, the compliance date for zoning bylaw amendments was June 30, 2024. All local governments were required to notify the Ministry of Housing that they have amended their bylaws in accordance with the SSMUH requirements in Bill 44: Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023 legislation by the compliance date.

The Province will be working to ensure that all local governments are in compliance with the legislation. We will be undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of the legislation by local governments, including consideration of how recommended provincial standards have been applied, to ensure it is effective at creating the conditions across BC to get more housing built and does not deter building much needed homes for people.

As you are aware the deadline to apply for an extension to the compliance date for the SSMUH requirements has passed. Local governments that have applied for an extension for part of their community were still required to adopt an amended zoning bylaw by June 30, 2024 for all areas for which they have not requested an extension. If your local government has applied for an extension, please be assured the Ministry of Housing is currently processing applications, and decisions will be communicated as they are made.

Local governments who have not complied with the legislative requirements or requested an extension may receive a 30-day compliance notice. After the 30 days, the Province can issue a Ministerial Order overriding the local government zoning bylaw to comply with the legislation and putting the basic site standards from the SSMUH policy manual in place until the local government passes their own bylaw amendments. By ensuring SSMUH zoning has been adopted, we are supporting building more homes for people faster by reducing delays for anyone who wants to build this type of housing.

Please express my gratitude to your council colleagues and staff for all of their hard work to bring about these changes to make it easier for families to build this much needed housing in your community. I look forward to our continued work together to ensure that all British Columbians have access to the homes that they need.

Sincerely,

Ravi Kahlon Minister of Housing

cc: Chief Administrative Officers City Managers