Where We Build
Four cities, one provincial framework, and four different sets of rules for what your lot allows.
T-City Developments builds duplexes, triplexes, multiplexes and townhomes in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and Surrey. 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.
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 →Vancouver
R1-1 multiplex rules: frontage, site area and 1.00 FSR, with worked examples for 33 ft and 50 ft lots.
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.
We work in all four, and every project starts by checking your lot against the rules of the city it sits in.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cities does T-City build in?
Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and Surrey, along with surrounding areas of Greater Vancouver.
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.
Next Step
Find out what your lot allows
Every project starts with a feasibility study. No obligation, no pressure, and a reply within one business day.