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Townhouse Accelerator Program

This project is ongoing. Check this page and the City's Be Heard page for regular updates and information on what’s proposed to change, what’s still to come, and when it will happen.

Program Summary

Through the Townhouse Accelerator Program, the City is proposing updates to the “Residential—Townhouse” (RT) land use designation in the Official Community Plan (OCP) and applying it to approximately 900 properties in the city, with approximately 570 of those properties pre-zoned for townhouses, in order to streamline the approval process. Click here to see a map of the proposed RT areas (the yellow colour) and click here for the pre-zoned properties. If approved, this would add or change where townhouses can be built in New Westminster.

Learn more about how we're encouraging new housing! The video below introduces New Westminster's Townhouse Program.

 

You can also access our October 27, 2025 presentation here and report from here. These documents outline the proposed approach to implementing with the Townhouse Program.

The intended outcome of this work is to allow for diverse housing options, specifically ground-oriented family friendly housing. This aligns with City Council’s 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities Plan focus area “Homes and Housing Options”. To achieve this outcome, the City initiated the Townhouse Accelerator Program, with funding from the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC) through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). 

Proposed Changes

The City uses bylaws and policy tools to enable housing development. Currently, we’re making updates to our Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw and Zoning Bylaw. These are our main tools for regulating what type of housing (e.g. apartment, townhouse, or duplex) is allowed, and where, along with what height and size those buildings can be.

At their October 27, 2025 meeting, Council endorsed moving forward with updates to the OCP and Zoning Bylaw outlined below.

Official Community Plan

The OCP includes land use designations that describes the type of development that would be supported on each property as the city grows. The “Residential – Townhouse” (RT) land use designation will be applied to approximately 900 properties in areas of the city that are compatible with other lower density housing, which was determined based on community feedback and detailed block analysis. Staff conducted block-by-block technical analysis and investigated site conditions such as slope, lot depth, access and existing land uses to determine whether the proposed blocks would be able to accommodate lot consolidation and other townhouse requirements.

Zoning Bylaw

To facilitate an increase in the number of new townhouse units, changes are proposed to the townhouse zoning regulations based on lessons learned from past projects. This includes increasing townhouse heights up to three storeys, which allows for more livable spaces for family friendly unit configurations and open up the opportunity for livable secondary suites, which will be permitted in new townhouse developments.

Further changes included introducing streamlining the application process through pre-zoning. Pre-zoning is when a project does not require a rezoning application to make it easier to construct new units. Properties that were selecting for pre-zoning was determined based on sites that have a sufficient existing lanes and to improve access conditions. This reduces the need for driveways on busy streets, making it safer for everyone. Approximately 570 properties in the city will be pre-zoned (click here to see those properties).

The zoning would be structured to maintain existing zoning entitlements. This means that owners can stay in their house, can still renovate or rebuild their house, or sell their property. Someone could also seek to purchase and consolidate multiple properties and build a townhouse project.

Development Permits

Additional design-based policy improvements were proposed for development permit guidelines to further ensure these developments fit well within their neighbourhoods, to provide better clarity to applicants, and to better align guidelines with other updated City-wide policies and strategies.  

How Do I Participate?

If you have questions about the Townhouse Program and want to talk with staff to learn or ask questions, you can email us at . We’re also available in-person and by phone too. Stop by City Hall (511 Royal Ave) or call 604-527-4532 Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Visit the Our City, Our Homes Be Heard page to learn more about past community engagement related to this project including event materials and feedback. 

You can also sign up for CityPage Online, follow the City on X or ‘like’ the City on Facebook. These are great ways to stay connected to hear about what's happening at the City!

Once directed by Council, a public hearing would be held regarding the proposed Townhouse Program, providing an opportunity for the community to share their views before Council makes a final decision. All public hearings are advertised through CityPage Online.