Surrey’s approval on Monday of secondary suites in townhomes is being touted as more housing supply but it may also be intended to help developers build more and sell more. At Monday’s Regular Council meeting, Surrey City Council approved bylaw changes to permit secondary suites in townhouses in Surrey. Once the changes are given final approval, secondary suites in townhouses, also known as lock-off suites, will be permitted in townhouse zones for new developments located within transit-oriented areas and frequent bus stops areas. Staff will also begin implementation of the necessary amendments to Secondary Suite Service Fee Bylaw to include lock-off suites in townhouses.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

SURREY– Surrey’s approval on Monday of secondary suites in townhomes is being touted as more housing supply but it may also be intended to help developers build more and sell more.

 At Monday’s Regular Council meeting, Surrey City Council approved bylaw changes to permit secondary suites in townhouses in Surrey. Once the changes are given final approval, secondary suites in townhouses, also known as lock-off suites, will be permitted in townhouse zones for new developments located within transit-oriented areas and frequent bus stops areas. Staff will also begin implementation of the necessary amendments to Secondary Suite Service Fee Bylaw to include lock-off suites in townhouses.

“With the housing crisis we are faced with, it makes good sense to permit secondary suites in townhouses,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “The added benefits of these ‘lock-off suites’ are it gives homeowners a stream of revenue to help with the mortgage, increases affordable rental housing stock, and facilitates new rental units come to market quickly. It is also important to note that the changes are targeted at neighbourhoods that are accessible to frequent transit service in order to give residents a viable alternative to owning a car.”

Surrey’s Zoning Bylaw currently permits secondary suites in single family dwellings, duplexes, and semi-detached residential buildings. Monday’s decision provides updates to the Zoning Bylaw to allow lock-off suites in three different multi-unit residential zones: RM-15, RM-23, and RM-30. Recommendations to address location, size of suite, new construction, and safety were also put forward by staff to support lock-off suites:

Permitted only in Transit-Oriented Areas and Frequent Bus Stop Areas.

Must be a minimum of 30 sq. m (323 sq. ft.) and occupy less than 40% of the habitable floor area of the larger principal unit.

Permitted only in new townhouse construction that have building permits issued after the approval of these proposed amendments.

Development Cost Charges and Community Amenity Contributions will continue to be charged based on floor area which would include the area of lock-off suites.

 “Staff are pleased to bring forward these amendments to our Zoning Bylaw to permit lock off suites in new townhouse developments that are well served by transit,” said Ron Gill, General Manager of Planning & Development. “The proposed changes will provide developers constructing new townhouse projects in transit supported neighbourhoods the flexibility to include lock off suites as part of their townhouse project design. These units will contribute to greater housing choice and affordability in our City. “

Learn more about ongoing development and permitting improvements in Surrey by visiting surrey.ca/development.