Topic
Housing
Which governments hold powers over housing, and the laws that give them those powers.
Choose a place
Tobago has more than one local government. Choose a spot in it.
Who holds the powers over housing depends on where you are. Choose a place to see every government that covers it.
Examples: Bowen Island, BC, Toronto, ON, Montréal, QC, Iqaluit, NU
Changes to who holds these powers
Laws and orders, newest first, that changed what governments may decide about housing. Choose a place to see only the ones that apply there.
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Limit
BC requires local zoning to allow small-scale multi-unit housing
The Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023 (Bill 44, S.B.C. 2023, c. 45) added section 481.3 to the Local Government Act, and a matching section 565.03 to the Vancouver Charter, requiring municipalities and regional districts to permit more homes in zones limited to single-family houses or duplexes: at least one secondary suite or detached unit, and, within urban containment boundaries or larger municipalities, at least the number of units set by provincial regulation, with a higher number near qualifying bus stops. Zoning bylaws adopted on or after 30 June 2024 must comply. The Act also stops local governments from holding public hearings on certain residential zoning bylaws that are consistent with the official community plan. Section 481.3 was later amended by S.B.C. 2025, c. 26 (in force 27 November 2025); as amended, it requires a local government's zoning bylaw to permit these uses by 30 June 2026.
- Applies to
- Every municipality in British Columbia
ReportSourced · checked : show the source for each fact
Sources for this change
- This change and its date
bclaws.gov.bc.ca
· checked
lims.leg.bc.ca · checked
bclaws.gov.bc.ca · checked
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Limit
Ontario requires official plans and zoning to allow up to three homes per residential lot
The More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23, S.O. 2022, c. 21) amended the Planning Act so that, on a parcel of urban residential land, municipal official plans and zoning by-laws may not prohibit up to three residential units (for example three in a house, or two in a house and one in an ancillary building), may not require more than one parking space for each of those units, and may not set a minimum floor area for them (Planning Act ss. 16(3) and 35.1). The Act also changed development charges, parkland requirements, site plan control and the planning role of some upper-tier municipalities.
- Applies to
- Every municipality in Ontario