Where We Build
Thirteen cities, one provincial framework, and thirteen different sets of rules for what your lot allows.
T-City Developments builds duplexes, triplexes, multiplexes and townhomes in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Delta, Squamish, Whistler, Abbotsford and Chilliwack. The province requires each city to allow three to six homes on most former single-family lots, but each one does it through its own zone. That changes the unit count, the building size and the permit steps.
Vancouver
Most Vancouver lots are now zoned R1-1. Here is what that allows, what it costs in city fees, and how long the permit takes.
Learn more →Burnaby
Burnaby’s R1 zone allows three to six homes on most former single-family lots, with no cap on floor area.
Learn more →Richmond
Richmond’s RSM zone allows three to six homes on almost 27,000 lots, with its own rules for floor area and six-unit projects.
Learn more →Surrey
Surrey allows three to six homes on around 72,000 lots, built from duplexes, houseplexes, coach houses and suites.
Learn more →Coquitlam
Coquitlam rezoned about 22,000 lots in June 2025 to allow up to four homes, from duplexes with suites to fourplexes.
Learn more →North Vancouver
North Vancouver is two municipalities with very different rules. The City now allows up to six homes on many lots.
Learn more →New Westminster
In June 2026, New Westminster pre-zoned about 3,000 lots for up to four or six homes. Here’s what that means for your lot.
Learn more →Port Coquitlam
Most Port Coquitlam lots can hold three to six homes. Here’s what’s allowed, what it costs, and the street work most people miss.
Learn more →Delta
In Ladner, Tsawwassen and North Delta, most lots can now hold up to four homes. Here’s how Delta’s rules work.
Learn more →Squamish
Most Squamish house lots can now hold a triplex or fourplex, plus a suite. Here’s what the zones allow and what it costs.
Learn more →Whistler
Most Whistler house lots can now hold three or four homes. One or two of them must house locals. Here’s how it works.
Learn more →Abbotsford
Most Abbotsford house lots can hold up to four homes, and more homes earn more floor area. Here’s what the 2026 rules allow.
Learn more →Chilliwack
Many Chilliwack house lots can now hold three or four homes. Here’s who qualifies, what you need, and where the floodplain matters.
Learn more →Why does the city matter so much?
British Columbia’s small-scale multi-unit housing law sets a minimum: three units on lots of 280 m² (3,014 sq ft) or less, four on larger lots, and six on lots within 400 m (1,312 ft) of a bus stop with service every 15 minutes. Each city then decides the details, and the details are where projects succeed or stall.
Vancouver controls unit count through frontage and site area. Burnaby has no floor-area limit at all and shapes buildings by height, setbacks and lot coverage. Richmond uses a sliding floor area ratio and asks six-unit projects for an affordable housing contribution. Surrey caps a houseplex at four principal units and gets to six with coach houses and suites. Coquitlam stops at four homes, and the City of North Vancouver allows up to six in its central areas.
New Westminster pre-zoned about 3,000 lots in June 2026 and ties floor area to the number of homes. Port Coquitlam allows triplexes only near frequent buses. Delta reaches four homes with a house or duplex plus garden suites and coach houses, with no development permit needed.
Up the Sea-to-Sky, Squamish allows up to five homes on R-1 lots with no floor area cap on fourplexes, and Whistler allows three or four homes as long as one or two house local residents. In the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford gives more floor area for more homes and skips the design permit for four or fewer, while Chilliwack requires a design permit and two parking spaces per home.
Fees differ just as much. Burnaby charges $81,833 per primary home on a house or duplex, while Richmond currently charges no city DCCs on small multiplexes at all. We work in all thirteen cities, and every project starts by checking your lot against the rules and charges of the city it sits in.
Common questions
Questions, Answered.
Which cities does T-City build in?
Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Delta, Squamish, Whistler, Abbotsford and Chilliwack, along with nearby communities.
Are the multiplex rules the same in every city?
No. The province sets the minimum number of units each city must allow, but each city writes its own zone. Floor area, height, parking, lot coverage and permit steps all differ.
How do I find out which rules apply to my lot?
Send us the address through the lot check form. We identify the zone, the lot size and frontage, whether the lot is near frequent transit, and what that allows, then reply within one business day.
Let’s build together
Have a Project in Mind?
Every project starts with a free lot check. Send us the address and we reply within one business day, with no obligation.