Multiplex housing or missing middle housing
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As Vancouver grows and evolves, we need a wider range of housing options to meet the needs of the diverse households who live and work here. This includes more "missing middle" housing, which can provide more homes in established neighbourhoods.
Learn more about why Vancouver needs missing middle housing.
A multiplex (multiple dwelling) is a form of missing middle housing that includes 3 to 8 dwelling units across one or more buildings on a single site. Each unit has its own direct exterior entrance.
See examples of what multiplex housing can look like.
Past engagement
In winter 2023, we invited residents, stakeholders, and industry representatives to share feedback on proposed new missing middle housing options and changes to simplify regulations in low-density neighbourhoods.
Read the 2023 Engagement Summary (PDF, 3 MB).The feedback received helped inform the Missing Middle Housing Proposal (PDF, 46 MB) which Council approved in fall 2023.
Next Steps
City staff are reviewing and updating policies and regulations related to multiplexes and other low-density housing options.
Information about this work, including future engagement opportunities which are expected to begin in fall 2026 and continue into early 2027, will be posted on this page as it becomes available. Staff anticipate reporting back to Council in early 2027 (timing to be determined).
Get involved
To receive updates about this work, sign up for our mailing list using the form on this page.
You can also share you feedback on multiplexes or missing middle housing by emailing multiplexes@vancouver.ca
- Definitions of key terms
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Multiplexes
- How much change will this create? How many multiplexes will get built?
- Will the changes to RS zones increase property values?
- How much will multiplex units cost? Who will they be affordable to?
- Why can’t the units be more affordable? What can the City do?
- Why can’t the density allowed for multiplexes be greater than 1.0 FSR? Are there other opportunities for Missing Middle Housing in City that go beyond 1.0 FSR?
- Will allowing multiplexes cause more displacement of existing renters?
- Sites that are located in the City’s Designated Floodplain will not qualify for a multiplex project. Where do I find information if my property is in the Designated Floodplain?
- Will sites that are slightly below the lot size requirements be allowed to come in for a multiplex project?
- Why are there no parking minimum requirements for a multiplex project? There is already not enough parking in many neighbourhoods, this is going to make it much worse.
- To achieve greater parking on a site would I be allowed to build underground parking?
- I have a property without a rear lane. Why can’t I build a multiplex project?
- I heard that basements are not encouraged through the multiplex option. Do I have to build completely above grade?
- What’s going to be done to ensure there’s adequate school capacity for families with children in these neighbourhoods?
- Do trees on my property have to be removed to achieve a multiplex project?
- Are houses protected if they are on the Vancouver Heritage Register (VHR)? How might heritage houses be protected?
- How many units will trigger a need for a Pad Mounted Transformer (PMT) on a property? Explain the size, placement, and the cost of a PMT on homeowners.
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Council Memos
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Council Memo: Adding Missing Middle Housing and Simplifying Regulations – Response to Council Questions (Sept 2023)
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Council Memo: Update Advancing Making Home Motion (Multiplexes) and RS Simplification (June 2022) (1 MB)
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Council Memo: Exploration of Further Retention Incentives - Response to Council Motion (June 2022) (1 MB)
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Council Memo: Advancing Multiplexes - Making Home Housing For All of Us (April 2022) (1 MB)
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