Free tool
How many homes can I build on my lot?
Under BC's Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing rules, most Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley lots allow at least 3 homes regardless of size. Lots over 280 m² (about 3,000 sq ft) qualify for up to 4, and lots near frequent transit can reach 6. Enter your lot size below for your specific estimate, free and instant.
Your estimate will appear here once you enter your lot size.
This tool applies BC's province-wide Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing minimums (rules current as of June 2026). It is an estimate, not legal or planning advice. Your municipality's bylaw and your lot's exact dimensions determine the actual number of homes permitted.
Good to know
How accurate is this estimate?
This calculator applies British Columbia's province-wide Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing minimums under Bill 44, using the lot size and transit proximity you enter. The real number for your lot depends on your municipality's bylaw and your lot's exact dimensions, and some cities allow more units than the provincial minimum. Treat this estimate as a starting point, then confirm the real number with a free feasibility review.
What counts as 'near frequent transit'?
Provincial rules define frequent transit as within 400 metres, about a 5-minute walk, of a bus stop with frequent service, or proximity to rapid transit such as SkyTrain. A lot that meets this distance and is larger than 280 square metres qualifies for the higher 6-unit minimum instead of 4. If you are unsure whether your lot qualifies, we can check your specific address during a feasibility review.
What's the next step after I get an estimate?
Book a free consultation. We'll review your lot, its zoning, and its highest-and-best use, and give you an honest read on what's actually possible before you make any decision. This step confirms whether your municipality's bylaw allows more than the provincial minimum the calculator shows, and checks any site-specific constraints the calculator cannot see.
What lot size counts as small under BC's SSMUH rules?
A lot of 280 square metres, about 3,014 square feet, or smaller is treated as small under BC's Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing rules. Provincial law sets a minimum of 3 units on lots at or under that size, and a minimum of 4 units on anything larger. This is why the calculator asks for your exact lot area rather than a rough size category.
How many units can a larger lot near transit support?
A lot larger than 280 square metres within about 400 metres of a frequent-transit stop must be allowed at least 6 units under BC's provincial SSMUH minimums. Without that transit proximity, the same lot size drops to a 4-unit minimum. The 400-metre distance is roughly a 5-minute walk, which the calculator applies when you check the transit box.
Do these calculator results apply the same way in every city?
No. The calculator applies BC's province-wide SSMUH minimums, but individual municipalities set their own forms, heights, and floor-area limits on top of those minimums, and some allow more. Vancouver's R1-1 zone, for example, permits up to 6 strata units or 8 secured-rental units on some lots, above the provincial floor. Your municipality's bylaw always governs the final number.
Is the calculator's estimate the same as a feasibility review?
No. The calculator gives an instant, free estimate based on lot size and transit proximity alone, using the SSMUH rules current as of June 2026. A feasibility review checks your specific address against your municipality's bylaw, lot dimensions, servicing, and any site constraints, which can raise or lower the number the calculator shows.
Does the calculator use my address or account for site-specific constraints?
No, it only takes the lot size, frontage, and transit proximity you enter. It does not check your specific address, servicing, heritage status, or any physical site constraints that could change what your lot actually supports. A feasibility review is the step that checks those details against your municipality's bylaw.
Why does the calculator ask for frontage as well as lot size?
In Vancouver, lot area alone doesn't decide whether you reach 5 or 6 units under the R1-1 zone. The R1-1 District Schedule pairs a minimum site frontage with a minimum site area for each unit-count band: 10.0 m for 3 to 4 units, 13.4 m for 5 units, and 15.1 m for 6 units. A lot must clear both numbers, so a narrow, deep lot can have enough area and still fall short on frontage. A standard 33-foot Vancouver lot measures about 10.06 m, which clears the 3 to 4-unit band but misses both higher tiers. This frontage check only applies to Vancouver's R1-1 zone. Our lot frontage guide in the Journal walks through the full breakdown with worked examples.