news

Cranbrook, BC (July 4, 2024) – The City of Cranbrook is now officially compliant with BC’s provincial housing legislation known as Bill 44.

Bill 44, enacted by the Province in November 2023 is intended to help increase the affordable housing supply by requiring local governments, like Cranbrook, to put changes in place to allow at least one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit in low-density residential zones by June 30, 2024.

At the regular meeting of Council, on June 10, 2024, Council adopted the Cranbrook Zoning Bylaw Amendment No. 4162, 2024 which makes the City of Cranbrook officially compliant with the new legislation ahead of the Province’s deadline.

“This regulation requires us to allow up to three or four units on a lot, where historically only one or two housing units were allowed. With these changes, it should now be easier for property owners and home builders to create Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) that fit into existing neighbourhoods and increase the housing supply locally,” says Rob Veg, Manager of Planning. “To help residents, builders and developers understand these new regulations, we have created a Bill 44 Public Information Sheet, which highlights the SSMUH regulations, which can be found on the City’s website.”

Visit https://cranbrook.ca/our-city/city-departments/oic/bill-44-public-information-sheet/ for details on the SSMUH regulations.

An Accessory Dwelling Unit Guide is also being developed and will be released later this summer.

If you have questions, please contact the Cranbrook Planning department at [email protected].