Building in Squamish: Duplexes, Triplexes and Fourplexes
Most Squamish house lots can now hold a triplex or fourplex, plus a suite. Here’s what the zones allow and what it costs.
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In Squamish’s R-1 zone, you can build a house, a duplex, a triplex or a fourplex, up to five homes in total with suites. Triplexes and fourplexes have no floor area cap, but each home can be at most 220 m². Lots in flood hazard areas sit in the R-2 to R-5 zones, which allow fewer homes.
Fourplex plus a suite
R-1 and R-4 lots can hold five homes, with up to four strata titled.
Height sets the size
No floor area ratio for triplexes and fourplexes: height, coverage and setbacks decide.
Flood zones first
Lots in flood hazard areas sit in R-2 to R-5, with fewer homes allowed.
01
How many homes can you build?
Squamish moved its house lots into new zones in 2024 and 2025. Your zone sets the number of homes:
| Zone | What you can build | Most homes per lot |
|---|---|---|
| R-1 | House, duplex, triplex or fourplex | 5, counting suites. Up to 4 can be strata titled |
| R-2 | House or duplex | 2, counting suites |
| R-3 | House, duplex or triplex | 3, counting suites |
| R-4 | House, duplex, triplex or fourplex | 5, counting suites |
| R-5 | House, duplex, triplex or fourplex | Set by the zone’s flood rules |
A fourplex can add one suite or small extra home, and a triplex can add two. R-2 to R-5 were made for lots in flood hazard areas, so their setbacks and limits account for flooding.
02
How big can you build in R-1?
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Height | 9 m for a house or duplex. 11 m or three storeys for a triplex or fourplex |
| Lot coverage | 33% for a house or duplex, 40% with a suite and a backyard home, 50% for a triplex or fourplex |
| Floor area | 0.3 FAR for a house (0.5 with a suite), 0.4 for a duplex (0.6 with a suite). No cap for a triplex or fourplex |
| Size of each home | At most 220 m² (2,368 sq ft) in a triplex or fourplex |
| Setbacks | 3.0 m front, 3.0 m rear, 1.2 m side, 3.0 m on a street side |
| Outdoor space | Private outdoor space equal to 10% of each home’s floor area |
| Services | City water and sewer are required |
The missing floor area cap is the big one. On most lots, height, coverage and setbacks decide the size of a fourplex, not a formula.
03
How much parking do you need?
A triplex or fourplex needs at least one parking space for each main home. Squamish cut its parking rules when it rezoned, to make room for more homes.
04
Can you build six homes near a bus?
Not yet. Squamish’s Bylaw 3170 would allow six homes on R-1 and R-4 lots within 400 m of a frequent bus route. It only takes effect once a route runs at least every 15 minutes, and the District says no route meets that today.
05
What does Squamish charge?
Squamish adopted new development and amenity charges on February 17, 2026. They’re paid before the building permit.
| Type of home | Development cost charge | Amenity cost charge |
|---|---|---|
| House lot (low density) | $37,066 per lot | $18,828 per lot |
| House lot (small lot) | $28,152 per lot | $14,710 per lot |
| Townhouse | $23,377 per home | $12,170 per home |
| Apartment | $19,178 per home | $10,190 per home |
- Includes an amenity cost charge
Squamish $23,377 DCC + $12,170 ACC; Abbotsford $27,903 DCC + $3,840 ACC; Chilliwack $26,768 DCC. T-City calculation from Squamish DCC and ACC Bylaws 3121 and 3120 (adopted February 17, 2026), the Abbotsford SSMUH Application Guide (rates from February 1, 2026) and Chilliwack’s typical DCC rates. Whistler charges per square metre. Credits for existing homes not included
Which rate applies to a triplex or fourplex depends on how the District classes the building, so we confirm it with the District before you design.
06
Which build suits a Squamish lot?
On an R-1 lot, a fourplex with a suite gets you five homes, and there’s no floor area formula to work around. If your lot is in a flood hazard zone, start with the zone and the flood level, because they decide what’s possible. See duplex vs triplex vs multiplex for how the forms compare.
Along the Sea-to-Sky, we also build in Whistler and North Vancouver.
Our process
One Team From Lot Check to Keys.
Design, permits and construction sit with one team, so nothing gets lost between consultants. The full process
- 01
Lot check
Zoning, frontage, trees and servicing, checked first.
- 02
Design
In-house architectural design, to your lot’s rules.
- 03
Permits
We act as your representative with the City.
- 04
Interiors
Finishes chosen while the permit is in review.
- 05
Price & schedule
Both set out in writing before we break ground.
- 06
Build & handover
Daily updates in your portal, then the keys.
Why T-City
One team, or three?
Most delays and surprise costs start in the handoffs between a designer, a permit consultant and a builder who meet for the first time on your project. Here is what changes when one team does all three.
| Stage | T-City, one team | Hiring separately |
|---|---|---|
| Before you pay for design | A free lot check, with a reply in one business day | A designer’s fee, often before anyone confirms what the lot allows |
| Who designs it | Our in-house team, who also build it | An architect or designer, separate from the builder |
| Permits | We act as your representative with the City | You or your designer manage the file |
| Price | In writing, with a schedule, before we break ground | Known after design, when builders tender on the drawings |
| Contracts | One, from design to keys | Two or three: design, permits and construction |
| During the build | Daily photo and video updates in your client portal | Depends on the builder you hire |
| Who you call | Tommy or Andrew, from first visit to handover | A different contact at each stage |
Let’s build together
Building in Squamish?
Send us the address. We check Squamish’s zoning, lot size and frontage rules and reply within one business day, with no obligation.
Client testimonials
What Our Clients Say.
“The team was professional, helpful, and easy to work with throughout the process. They paid attention to the details, communicated well, and made sure everything was done properly.”
“After struggling to find a reliable builder for our duplex project, we found T-City, and they delivered beyond expectations. They helped us maximize our lot, managed all the permits, and finished on time with zero surprise costs. Highly recommend for multi-unit builds.”
“We hired T-City to build a laneway home on our property in Burnaby, and the process was smooth from start to finish. They handled permits, design, and construction with total transparency. The portal updates were a nice touch and gave us peace of mind.”
“T-City built our dream home from the ground up, and the experience couldn’t have been better. Tommy and Andrew were professional, organized, and genuinely cared about getting the details right.”
Common questions
Questions, Answered.
How many homes can I build on a Squamish lot?
In the R-1 and R-4 zones, up to five homes counting suites, with up to four strata titled. R-3 allows three, and R-2 allows two.
Is there a floor area limit for a fourplex in Squamish?
Not in R-1. Triplexes and fourplexes have no floor area ratio cap, but each home can be at most 220 m², and height, coverage and setbacks still apply.
Can I build six homes in Squamish?
Not yet. Bylaw 3170 allows six near a frequent bus route, but it only applies once a Squamish route runs every 15 minutes, and none does today.
What are Squamish’s development cost charges in 2026?
For a townhouse home, $23,377 plus a $12,170 amenity charge. For a house lot, $37,066 plus $18,828. They were adopted on February 17, 2026.
How much parking does a Squamish fourplex need?
At least one space for each main home.
Lot Check
Check what your lot allows
Send us the address. We check the zoning, lot size, frontage and transit rules in Squamish and reply within one business day, with no obligation.
- Emailinfo@tcitydevelopments.com
- Tommy778-239-2078
- Andrew604-230-9134
- Service AreaVancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Delta, Squamish, Whistler, Abbotsford & Chilliwack