The province recently released a catalogue of free, standardized designs for small-scale, multi-unit housing and accessory homes like cottages and laneway homes.

The designs comply with the 2024 BC Building Code and can be adjusted to accommodate different lot sizes or site-specific conditions and were created to be constructed quickly and economically.

The province’s aim is to expedite approvals and reduce construction costs and timelines to more quickly increase supply.

“We are committed to tackling the housing crisis from all angles, including making it easier for people to build diverse forms of housing,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing in a release. “These standardized designs will enable faster construction of aesthetically pleasing homes in communities across the province.” 

The designs are modular, allowing for customization with elements like garages or additional bedrooms, and can be adapted to various configurations, including:

• duplexes
• triplexes
• quadplexes
• townhouses
• accessory dwellings like coach and laneway homes

The catalogue also includes options for personalization, like roof shapes and cladding styles.