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    How many units can I build on my Burnaby lot?

    Enter your lot dimensions, zone class and transit proximity. The tool returns your maximum units under SSMUH, setbacks, lot coverage, whether a Development Permit is needed, and what kind of geotech work is likely — all referenced to Bill 44 and Burnaby's R1 SSMUH District.

    Bill 44R1 SSMUHFTN 400 mNo cost figures
    Abstract architectural site-plan illustration of a Burnaby lot showing SSMUH building footprints, setbacks, and contours

    Used to label your result. We don't geocode it for v1 — you tell us about transit proximity below.

    Measurement units

    Computed lot area

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    R1 is Burnaby's new SSMUH district (adopted June 2024). Legacy R2–R5 still inherit the provincial Bill 44 minimums until the full bylaw rewrite (effective July 1 2026).

    Within 400 m of frequent transit?

    What "frequent transit" means

    Under BC Bill 44, the FTN 400 m bonus tier applies if your lot is within 400 m walking distance of a SkyTrain station or a bus stop on a route that runs at least every 15 minutes during weekday peak (7am–7pm) and weekend (10am–6pm) hours.

    Burnaby SkyTrain stations on the Millennium and Expo lines all qualify, including Brentwood, Gilmore, Holdom, Sperling–Burnaby Lake, Lake City Way, Production Way–University, Lougheed, Burquitlam, Edmonds, Royal Oak, Patterson, Metrotown, and 22nd Street. Frequent bus corridors (Hastings, Kingsway, Lougheed Hwy, Willingdon) also qualify in stretches.

    Source: TransLink Frequent Transit Network · BC Government SSMUH factsheet

    Informational only — confirm with City of Burnaby before commissioning a build.

    Common questions

    SSMUH, in plain English.

    How many units can I build on my Burnaby lot under SSMUH?+

    Under BC Bill 44 and Burnaby's R1 SSMUH District, a single-family or duplex lot of 280 m² or smaller permits up to 3 units; a lot larger than 280 m² permits up to 4 units; and a lot larger than 280 m² within 400 m of a frequent transit stop permits up to 6 units. Heritage and steep-slope lots are reviewed separately.

    Does Burnaby require a Development Permit for SSMUH builds?+

    No — that's the major change. The R1 SSMUH District (adopted June 10, 2024) allows compliant SSMUH builds by-right, which removes the Development Permit step that legacy R-zones still trigger. A Building Permit is still required, and heritage or hillside reviews can re-introduce a permit step.

    What does "within 400 m of frequent transit" actually mean in Burnaby?+

    It means walking distance to a SkyTrain station or a frequent bus stop on TransLink's Frequent Transit Network — a route that runs at least every 15 minutes during weekday peak (7am–7pm) and weekend (10am–6pm) hours. All Burnaby SkyTrain stations qualify, plus stretches of Hastings, Kingsway, Lougheed Hwy and Willingdon.

    Can I strata-title SSMUH units in Burnaby?+

    Yes. Burnaby permits stratification of SSMUH units in the R1 District and in the legacy R-zones until the full Zoning Bylaw Rewrite (effective July 1, 2026). Lock-off suites, fee-simple subdivision and bare-land strata each have separate requirements your builder will walk you through.

    Will the July 2026 Burnaby Zoning Bylaw Rewrite change these numbers?+

    Likely yes for the legacy R2–R5 classes, which are expected to be consolidated. The R1 SSMUH District itself was adopted in 2024 and is the template. We re-verify this tool against the final published bylaw and keep an explicit "rules current as of" date in the result panel.