Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where can infill housing be built in the city?

Infill housing can be built in many areas of the city. Approximately 1,900 single detached dwelling and duplex properties have been zoned to allow up to four units and approximately 1,100 properties have been zoned to allow up to six units. This means that no rezoning application is required to build infill housing, streamlining the approvals process. 

View a map and list of the properties zoned to allow infill housing, either RGO-A (up to four units) or RGO-B (up to six units).

Right now, the City is not making changes to housing regulations in Queensborough because more research is needed on infrastructure like water and sewer systems to see if the area can support more housing. The City will consult with residents before any changes in Queensborough are finalized. 

The City also intends to create comprehensive guidance on where lower density ground oriented building forms (including infill housing) could be considered in Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Areas to optimize housing choice. Until new policy is created, rezoning applications for infill housing developments within TOD Areas will only be considered where consolidation is not possible, and in the Queens Park Heritage Conservation Area, as identified in the Interim Development Review Framework.

Are infill housing units able to stack on top of each other?

A maximum of two infill housing units are permitted to stack on top of each other to  ensure that units are ground oriented family friendly housing.

Are Infill Housing Units Be Able To Be Stratified?

Yes, infill housing units can be stratified. The new zoning districts created for infill housing (RGO-A and RGO-B), allow different tenures (e.g. rental, ownership or a combination) and different ownership models (e.g. strata, co-op). One exception is that a rezoning is required to develop a freehold model, where each unit is on a separate property (i.e. rowhouses).

Will there be further changes to the infill housing program?

The City will monitor the program outcomes, and may identify program refinements in alignment with program goals.

What is the impact on my property value and taxes? 

Property taxes are calculated based on the assessed value of a property, which is set annually by BC Assessment, the provincial agency responsible for determining assessed property values, using market conditions and property characteristics. Tax rates are set every year by City Council.

Visit the City's Property Taxes and Utilities webpage for current tax rates and payment information.

If you feel the assessed value for your property is inaccurate, you can submit an appeal to BC Assessment. Visit BC Assessment's Appeals page for more information.

What kind of uptake is expected for this program?

Redevelopment depends on many factors outside of the City’s control, including individual owners’ choices, financing interest rates, and construction costs.

The City’s housing projections estimate is that New Westminster would see between 35 and 45 attached units built per year (outside of Downtown and Queensborough). This includes all duplex, multiplex and townhouse units.

How does the program fit the New Westminster context?

The new infill housing zoning districts respond to the provincial requirements set out through the Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing legislation, and have been tailored to the New Westminster context, including:

• Parking – For sites where the City can require vehicle parking, the required number of spaces aims to balance vehicle ownership rates with the need to maximize space for other elements such as tree retention and planting, open space, garbage storage, and electrical infrastructure.

• Density – The City’s program includes  maximum floor space ratios (FSR), instead of the Provincial recommendation to guide density through building setbacks and height. The Program also encourages spaces like shared bike parking or amenity rooms through FSR exclusions. 

• Side setbacks – The side setbacks allowed are smaller than what is allowed for single detached dwellings and duplexes, but larger than what is recommended by the Province. This approach aims to enable new housing that fits well within city neighbourhoods.

• Rear upper setbacks –The City’s program requires new buildings at the lane edge of a site to be stepped back at the third storey to minimize building bulk at the rear of properties. 

• Development Permit Guidelines – Building and site design guidelines have been established, as well as guidelines that encourage best practices for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting water and energy conservation.

What are the implications to heritage protection? 

Existing heritage designations and heritage revitalization agreements (HRAs) remain in place across the city, and are not overridden by Provincial legislation.

Individual owners of heritage assets can still consider a new HRA and/or heritage designation. There may be fewer applications due to the reduced ability to offer incentives, such as greater density or reduced parking, following the Provincial legislation and new Infill Housing program. New heritage designations and HRAs cannot be used by the City to limit density below Provincial requirements, including within the Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area (QPHCA).

Applications for renovation or construction in QPHCA still require a heritage alteration permit (HAP) showing compliance with the Heritage Conservation Area guidelines. Demolishing a protected building also requires approval of a HAP. To be considered for approval, the application must clearly demonstrate that the allowable density on the property cannot be achieved without demolishing the entire building (e.g. it cannot be accommodated through an addition, conversion, additional storey, new basement, or infill housing building).

How will the City address the demand for more on-street parking?

Infill housing may increase demand for on-street parking because:

• Households in the city with similar housing types, such as duplexes, often own more than one vehicle; and  

• Provincial legislation limits a municipality’s ability to require parking near frequent transit service.

The City’s parking requirements try to balance parking needs with other priorities, such as trees, open space, solid waste, and electrical infrastructure. Outside  frequent bus service areas, all infill housing applications must include at least one on-site parking space for each principal unit. Secondary suites must also provide parking, but at a lower rate. These requirements are the same as those for duplexes and townhouses.

The City is also working on a curbside management strategy to help manage on-street parking demand. This work will guide decisions about curb regulations and residential permit parking. The approach will be guided by a set of principles supported by Council in September 2025, and by the City’s Master Transportation Plan curbside hierarchy, which prioritizes active transportation like walking and bicycling.

What does this mean for schools? 

The infill housing program could result in more family-sized homes being built, which may bring more school-aged children to the community and increase demand for schools.

The School District is planning for this growth as part of its Long Range Facilities Plan. The School District and City work together to advocate to the Province for more resources for schools.

To help make it easier to build new schools, the City updated its Official Community Plan to allow schools in most residential and some mixed-use areas across the city.