Land Use Related Questions
What does it mean to be designated?
The Official Community Plan (OCP) sets out the vision, goals, and policies for New Westminster to the year 2041. If a property has a Residential – Townhouse (RT) land use designation in the OCP, then the long-term vision for that property is to provide side-by-side or back-to-back townhouse developments which are compatible with areas of other lower density housing.
In 2026, the City designated approximately 900 properties in the city as “Residential—Townhouse” (RT) in the Official Community Plan (OCP).
Click here to see a map of the properties designated for townhouse.
What does it mean for a property to be zoned for townhouses?
If a property is zoned for townhouses, it means that townhouses are a permitted use in the property’s existing zone. If redevelopment is desired, property owner(s) can choose to combine their property with a neighbouring pre-zoned lot to meet the required minimum lot size and apply for a simplified City approvals process to construct new townhouses.
There would be no requirement for an Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment or rezoning application. Projects would still require other City approvals, including a Development Permit, Works and Services Agreement and Building Permit.
Click here to see a map of the properties zoned for townhouse.
What factors went into selecting sites for the Townhouse Program?
Staff conducted block-by-block analysis and investigated site conditions such as slope, lot depth, access, heritage considerations, and existing land uses. This was used to determine whether sites could accommodate lot consolidation, parking access and other Townhouse Program requirements. Only sites with a sufficient existing lane were pre-zoned. Where a lane does not exist yet, additional tools need to be utilized in Phase 2 of the program to ensure a new lane is delivered by new townhouse projects. These remaining RT designated sites are intended to be pre-zoned for townhouses in the future.
Why are Townhouse Program sites located on main roads (e.g., local and collector roads)?
Through previous community engagement, the City heard that families and multi-generational families want to be located in proximity to amenities such as schools and parks. Townhouse Program sites on the main roads are within walking distance of these amenities. These sites may also be located at the edges of Transit Oriented Development Areas to transition from higher density neighbourhoods to areas with primarily single family housing.
There are also Townhouse Program sites located away from the main roads. These were selected as they have the conditions to provide a road or lane dedication which would allow access in a continuous manner for vehicles in the future. Pedestrian and road safety would also be improved by reducing the number of individual driveways onto fronting streets.
Development Related Questions
Can a lot be left behind in a townhouse development?
In New Westminster, per the Zoning Bylaw, residential developments must not create a condition where one or more sites become a “locked-in lot”. When reviewing a development application, City staff will assess requirements to determine whether a proposed project would create a condition where a lot becomes locked-in. In some cases, an exemption may apply.
Why is lot consolidation required for townhouse development?
Most townhouse development projects will involve combining two standard single-detached lots to achieve the minimum site area requirement of 836.1 m² (9,000 sq. ft.). This minimum provides enough land to accommodate functional building layouts, to support family-friendly unit sizes, useable open spaces, and allow for continuous off-site improvements, for example, lane or road dedications for servicing and vehicle access. Through lot consolidations, townhouse projects are better able to achieve livable and economically viable developments.
How is the City planning for infrastructure and amenities alongside new development?
In response to the release of the Provincial Housing legislation in November 2023, the City is updating a number of long range plans that guide the City’s ongoing delivery of services to meet current needs, and to plan for our growing community’s future needs. These documents are based on recently updated population projections, which reflect the new growth envisioned by the Province.
The City has been updating its financing growth strategy to ensure development pays for the growth-related portion of the infrastructure and amenities needed to build a livable city. This includes updates to the Development Cost Charges program to pay for the cost of upgrading or providing transportation, drainage, water and sanitary infrastructure; fire protection and police services; and acquiring parkland to support new development. The City is also creating a new Amenity Cost Charge program to fund growth-related amenities based infrastructure such as community centres, libraries, and daycares.
You can learn more about the City’s Financing Growth work here.
How will the character of the existing neighbourhood be considered in Townhouse developments?
New townhouse development applications must comply with the updated Townhouse Development Permit Area guidelines. Townhouse developments are to enhance and maintain the quality of neighbourhoods by incorporating considerations for building size and massing; streetscape expression; livability; building performance; and more as outlined in the guidelines. The Zoning Bylaw includes regulations related to the size and height of a building, site coverage, spacing between dwellings, parking, loading and site access for townhouses.
How will properties with heritage value be protected?
Existing heritage designations and heritage revitalization agreements (HRAs) remain in place. Townhouse designated properties which have a non-protected heritage asset still have the opportunity to enter into a Heritage Revitalization Agreement to protect any identified heritage assets. Through a Heritage Revitalization Agreement, a property may be eligible for incentives to conserve assets with heritage merit. However, under the new Provincial housing legislation there are fewer incentives that the City can offer compared to previously.
How will road space and curbside space be managed as redevelopment occurs?
Although townhouse and infill housing development is expected to occur gradually, it will place greater demands on the City’s road network and curbside space.
The City is 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.
Future Program Updates
Will more work be undertaken on the Townhouse Program in the future?
Yes, the City will be monitoring the program to make refinements and provide additional details for ease of use. This includes making amendments to the Townhouse Zoning Districts and the Development Permit Area guidelines, related to site access, off-site servicing, and site area requirements for on-site solid waste, recycling and composting.
Will more properties be pre-zoned for townhouses in future?
The City will be exploring further areas in the city to pre-zone for townhouses as part of Phase 2 of the Townhouse Program. Further analysis will be undertaken to address concerns related to access, alternative transportation routes and servicing prior to bringing forward a proposal for further pre-zoning.
I have a suggestion to make to the Townhouse Program. Who can I contact?
The City will be monitoring program implementation. If you have comments or suggestions, please contact the Housing and Land Use Planning team at 604-527-4532 or
