TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 20, 2026 Report No. DEV-26-013
TO: Committee of the Whole
FROM: James Davison, Manager of Development Services
SUBJECT: Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing (SSMFH) Impact Assessment Options Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Committee of Whole recommend that Council direct staff to bring forward amendments to Township bylaws related to Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing as described within Report No. DEV-26-013.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On September 8, 2025, Council passed a motion to "...direct staff to bring forward a project impact assessment for a review of SSMFH zoning and procedures in order to streamline and adjust requirements, including consideration of the impacts on neighbours, future tree canopy, parking, and alignment with the Official Community Plan."
The intent of this report is to describe options to achieve Council's desire to explore further amendments to the SSMFH zoning and regulations. The impact with respect to cost, schedule and current commitments are also described.
BACKGROUND:
In November?2023, the Province of British Columbia adopted Bill?44 - Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023, establishing new requirements intended to increase the supply of small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMFH/SSMUH) within areas traditionally zoned for single-family and duplex dwellings. The legislation requires local governments to permit between three and six dwelling units on most residential lots, depending on lot size and proximity to frequent transit bus stops.
In June 2024 the Township implemented the required SSMFH program by zoning overlays for restricted zones (single family and duplex development, excepting lots within the Tsunami Hazard Zones). This is attached as Appendix A. The RSM-1 and RSM-2 zones (attached as Appendix B and C, respectively) largely follow the Provincial recommendations for site standards, in part due to the anticipation...
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