Duplex, Triplex or Multiplex: Which Should You Build in Vancouver?
The same lot can take very different buildings. Here is how the R1-1 rules compare.
In Vancouver’s R1-1 zone, a duplex gets 0.70 FSR and up to four homes with suites. A triplex or multiplex gets 1.00 FSR, about 43% more floor area, with three to six strata homes or up to eight rental homes, depending on frontage and site area. A duplex is simpler. A multiplex usually produces more value.
How do they compare side by side?
These are the R1-1 figures that separate the three options:
| Duplex | Triplex | Multiplex (4–6, or up to 8 rental) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor space ratio | 0.70 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Minimum frontage | 7.3 m | 10.0 m (maximum 13.3 m) | 10.0 m for 4 · 13.4 m for 5 · 15.1 m for 6–8 |
| Minimum site area | 306 m² | 306 m² (maximum 463 m²) | 306 m² for 4 · 464 m² for 5 · 557 m² for 6–8 |
| Homes that can be sold | 2 (suites stay on title) | 3 | 4 to 6 |
| Other conditions | Up to 2 suites or lock-offs | Lane access, 30.4 m depth, not in flood plain | Same, plus family-sized unit minimums |
What does that mean on a 33 ft lot?
A standard 33 by 122 ft lot (374 m²) with a lane qualifies for all three. The floor area is about 2,820 sq ft as a duplex, or about 4,026 sq ft as a triplex or fourplex. It can’t go to five homes, because five need 13.4 m of frontage and a 33 ft lot is 10.06 m wide.
On a 50 by 122 ft lot (566.7 m², 15.24 m wide), the choice widens to six strata homes or up to eight secured rental homes at about 6,100 sq ft. A triplex isn’t allowed there, because a three-unit multiplex is capped at 463 m² and 13.3 m.
Which suits your goal?
Start with what you want the property to do:
- Live in one, earn income from the rest, keep it simple. A duplex with suites: two larger homes, two rentals, one straightforward building
- Sell every home. A triplex or fourplex. Every unit can be strata titled, and the 1.00 FSR gives you more to sell
- Hold long term as rentals. A secured-rental multiplex on a wide lot, up to eight homes, one of which can be owner-occupied
- Keep the existing house. A laneway house or suite, or character house retention with infill
More homes are not automatically better. Each one adds a kitchen, bathrooms, separations, servicing and development charges, and Metro Vancouver’s regional charges are per home. The right answer depends on your lot, your budget and your plans, and that is exactly what a feasibility study sets out.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a duplex or a multiplex better in Vancouver?
A multiplex gets 1.00 FSR against 0.70 for a duplex, so it usually produces more sellable floor area. A duplex is simpler to design, finance and build. The right choice depends on your lot and your goal.
Can I build a triplex on a 50 ft lot in Vancouver?
Usually not as a multiplex. R1-1 caps a three-unit multiplex at 463 m² of site area and 13.3 m of frontage, and a 50 by 122 ft lot is larger than both. It can take four to six strata homes instead.
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.