Vancouver has supported laneway houses since 2009. So today I thought I would take a look at what their policy considers to be an “eligible lot.” All of the information for this post was taken from this laneway housing how-to guide dated November 2016.
Here are some of the main ways in which they assess eligibility:
Laneway houses are allowed on all lots in the following zones: RS single family zones, RT-11/11N, RM- 7/7N, RM-8/8N, RM-9/9N and RM-9A/9AN.
LWHs are permitted in addition to a secondary suite within the main house.
LWHs can be for family use or for rental.
LWHs are permitted on lots with a minimum width of 9.8m (32.15′). But provided they are designed appropriately, planning may also allow LWHs on lots as narrow as 7.3m (23′).
The LWH site must have access to an open lane.
A fire access path must be provided from the street along one of the sideyards to the entrance of the LWH. This path needs to have a clear width of 900mm.
