Townhome Builders in Greater Vancouver
Ground-oriented homes with their own front door, private outdoor space and real storage.
A townhome is a multi-unit home that meets the ground: its own front door at street or lane level, living space over two or three storeys, and private outdoor space. On a single lot, townhomes are usually delivered as a three to six unit multiplex arranged side by side rather than stacked, which suits families who want a house rather than an apartment.
What makes a townhome different from a stacked multiplex?
Orientation. A stacked multiplex divides the building horizontally, so some units sit above others and share a common entry. A townhome divides it vertically: each home runs from the ground up through two or three storeys, with its own entrance directly outside.
That difference drives everything buyers and tenants care about — no shared lobby, no unit above or below, direct access for strollers, bikes and groceries, and genuinely private outdoor space. Townhomes command a premium for exactly these reasons, and they suit families who are priced out of a detached house but do not want a condo.
Can I build townhomes on a standard residential lot?
Often, yes. Townhomes on a single lot are typically delivered under the same small-scale multi-unit housing rules that permit multiplexes, so no rezoning is required in most cases. The constraint is frontage: side-by-side homes each need width, so a 33 ft lot rarely supports more than two or three, while a 50 ft lot or an assembly of two lots opens up more.
Where frontage is tight, a front-to-back arrangement addressing both the street and the lane can deliver the same ground-oriented character without the width a pure row would need.
How many units, and what are the frontage thresholds?
In Vancouver R1-1 the frontage minimums that govern multiplexes apply to townhome forms too: 10 m (33 ft) for three to four units, 13.4 m (44 ft) for four to five, and 15.1 m (49.5 ft) for six strata units or eight secured rental units. Provincially, lots between 280 m² and 4,050 m² permit four units, rising to six within 400 m of frequent transit.
Because each townhome needs width for its own entry and stair, the practical unit count is usually lower than the theoretical maximum. Feasibility is where that gets resolved honestly rather than optimistically.
What makes a townhome work in practice?
The plan. A townhome lives or dies on its stair position, its daylight, and whether the ground floor gives you something better than a garage and a hallway. Getting light into the middle of a long narrow home usually means a light well, a rear extension with glazing, or careful use of the top floor.
Storage is the other thing owners underestimate. Bikes, strollers, sports gear and seasonal storage all need somewhere to live, and designing that in from the start is far cheaper than discovering the gap after move-in.
- Stair position, which determines how usable each floor is
- Daylight into the middle of a deep, narrow plan
- Private outdoor space at ground level or on a roof deck
- Real storage for bikes, strollers and seasonal items
- Acoustic separation between party walls
- Separate servicing and metering per home
Are townhomes strata titled?
Usually. Stratification is what lets each home be sold individually, and it is the normal route for townhome projects intended for sale. It runs as its own legal process alongside the build, and we plan for it from the beginning so it does not become a bottleneck at completion.
If you are building to hold rather than sell, secured rental may unlock additional floor area — in Vancouver R1-1, an FSR of 1.00 instead of the base 0.70. That is worth modelling before design begins.
How does T-City build townhomes?
On one contract, through the same six steps we use on every project: feasibility, in-house architectural design, permits with us acting as your representative, interior design in parallel, confirmed timeline and price, then construction with daily photo and video updates in your client portal.
Every home is covered by two years on labour and materials, five years on the building envelope, and ten years of structural coverage.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many townhomes fit on a 50 ft lot?
It depends on layout and municipality, but a 50 ft (15.1 m) frontage meets the Vancouver R1-1 threshold for up to six strata units. Whether six ground-oriented townhomes fit well is a design question that feasibility answers.
Do townhomes need rezoning?
Usually not. Small-scale multi-unit housing legislation requires municipalities to permit multi-unit forms on lots previously restricted to single detached housing without a rezoning application.
Can townhomes have basements?
Often, depending on soil, water table and slope. A basement can add significant usable area, and whether it is cost-effective is assessed during feasibility.
Are townhomes cheaper to build than a stacked multiplex?
Not usually per square foot, because each home needs its own stair, entry and servicing. They typically achieve higher value per unit, which is why the form is popular.
Do you build townhomes outside Vancouver?
Yes, across Greater Vancouver including Burnaby, Richmond and Surrey. Each municipality applies the provincial framework through its own bylaws.
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.