Housing Action
The Squamish Housing Action Plan (SHAP) advances initiatives that remove barriers to housing and support faster delivery of affordable, rental, and missing-middle homes. The SHAP consists of 32 actions for completion over a three-years. The SHAP will modernize Squamish’s housing regulatory framework addressing identified housing needs, recently adopted provincial legislation, and commitments made in the District’s Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) agreement.
| Complete | In-progress |
Initiative 1: Affordable Housing Accelerator
This initiative removed regulatory and financial barriers that had historically limited affordable housing delivery in Squamish. Affordable housing was permitted on all residentially-zoned land, public hearing requirements were eliminated, zoning updates were completed, and Development Cost Charges (DCCs) and development fees were waived for eligible non-profit affordable housing projects.
| Bylaw | Summary | Key Dates | Status |
| District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Affordable Housing & Public Service) No. 3018, 2023 | This bylaw permitted affordable housing in all residential zones, reduced height, density, and parking constraints for fully affordable projects, and minimized the need for site specific rezoning. It also updated the Public Service definition to include affordable housing delivered by government agencies and non-profit organizations, while maintaining appropriate restrictions within flood and debris flow hazard areas. |
July 18, 2023 - Zoning Bylaw Update October 17, 2023 - First and second reading November 7, 2023 - Third reading |
| Bylaw | Summary | Key Dates | Status |
| District of Squamish Land Development Procedures Bylaw No. 2632, 2018, Amendment Bylaw (Public Hearing Requirement Clarification) No. 3091, 2024 | The bylaw amended the District's Land Development Procedures to confirm that public hearings were not required for residential developments consistent with existing zoning, including projects that support affordable, rental, and missing middle housing. |
June 6, 2023 - First reading |
| Bylaw | Summary | Key Dates | Status |
| District of Squamish Land Development Procedures Bylaw No. 2632, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 2959, 2023 | This bylaw amendment supported the waiver or exemption of Development Cost Charges and related development fees for eligible affordable housing projects, improving project feasibility and supporting partnerships and non-profit and public housing providers. |
June 6, 2023 - First reading December 5, 2023 - First, second and third reading |
A feasibility analysis of municipally owned lands was completed to assess their potential for future affordable housing development and to inform next steps.
Initiative 2: Squamish Community Housing Society Development Stimulator Fund
The Development Stimulator Fund supported affordable housing projects advance through early pre-development stages by providing targeted funding support. The District administered pre-development funding grants for District-identified affordable housing sites and continues to pursue senior government funding in partnership with Squamish Community Housing Society (SCHS).
The District developed and submitted a BC Housing Funding Application. An agreement is now in place with Squamish Community Housing Society.
The District administered the first-development funding grant to support early project costs and assist with advancing feasibility and readiness for future development.
The District completed development of criteria and reporting requirements for pre-developing funding grants.
The District administered the second pre-development funding grant.
Preparation work was completed to support a second Community Housing Fund application.
Initiative 3: Missing Middle Housing Accelerator
This initiative accelerated small-scale multi-unit housing by removing unnecessary approval steps and updating zoning to enable greater housing diversity. Public hearing requirements for missing-middle housing were waived through provincial legislation and implemented administratively by the District. Advisory Design Panel review requirements were removed for development permits for projects under 20 units, streamlining approvals.
Work also advanced to explore parking solutions and pursue zoning to allow six-plex housing along the future frequent transit network.
| Bylaw | Summary | Status |
| District of Squamish Land Development Procedures Bylaw No. 2632, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 2959, 2023 | Provincial legislation removed the default requirement for public hearings for eligible residential development. The District updated the Land Development Procedures Bylaw to align with this change to complete related administrative amendments. |
| Bylaw | Summary | Status |
| District of Squamish Advisory Design Panel Bylaw No. 2264, 2023, Amendment Bylaw (Squamish Housing Action) No. 3082, 2024 | This bylaw amends the District of Squamish Advisory Panel Bylaw to remove the requirement for Advisory Design Panel review for multi-family residential developments with 20 dwelling units or fewer. | Adopted |
| Bylaw | Summary | Status | |
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District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing) No. 3036, 2024 |
This bylaw amendment implemented exceeded the requirements set out in provincial Bill 44 by introducing the new R-1 zone and replacing the former RS-1, RS-2, and RS-3 zones. |
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District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Bill 44 Parking Reductions) No. 3035, 2024 |
This bylaw amendment reduced or removed minimum parking requirements for eligible residential development. These amendments supported the implementation of small-scale multi-unit housing and align local zoning regulations with provincial policy direction. |
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District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011 Amendment Bylaw (R-1 Updates) No. 3103, 2024 |
This bylaw amendment addressed technical and policy alignment issues to ensure zoning regulations functioned as intended and supported the delivery of new housing types enabled through recent legislative changes. |
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District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Landscape, Solid Waste and Accessibility Update) No. 3081, 2024 |
This amendment consolidated landscaping, solid waste, lighting, and accessibility standards within the Zoning Bylaw. |
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The District advanced parking reforms by updating the transportation and enforcement bylaws to support reduced parking requirements and improved on-street parking management in select areas. These changes enabled a park parking pilot, supported implementation of lower speed limits, and introduced District-operated EV charging, helping reduce parking-related barriers to housing delivery and better align transportation policy with missing-middle housing and complete community objectives under the Housing Accelerator Fund.
- View Transportation Master Plan
- 2023 Downtown Parking Study
- Paid Parking Implementation Phasing - Report to Council
- Squamish Parking Management Implementation Plan - What We Heard Report
- Transportation Bylaw Updates - Report to Council
| Bylaw | Summary | Key Dates | Status |
| District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Six Units Near a Frequent Bus Route) No. 3170, 2025 | This zoning bylaw permits up to six units near qualifying frequent transit route once service thresholds are met. |
July 8, 2025 - First reading September 16, 2025 - First, second and third reading |
Initiative 4: Accessory Dwelling Unit Program
The District of Squamish launched an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Competition in March 2024 to encourage housing diversity and affordability in Squamish. The competition invited B.C. residents aged 19+ to submit an ADU design that Squamish property owners could choose to build on their property without the need for a rezoning or development permit, saving property owners time, money and effort.
The competition was launched, and submissions were reviewed by the Building Department and the Advisory Design Panel.
| Bylaw | Summary | Status |
| District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Small-Scale Multi-unit Housing) No. 3036, 2024 | This zoning bylaw removed off-street parking requirements for accessory dwelling units. |
Initiative 5: Density Bonusing Program and CAC Policy Adjustments
This initiative used density bonusing to support the delivery of affordable housing, rental housing, and student residences. The Community Amenity Contribution Policy was updated to exempt density bonus units from CACs, and pilot projects informed the implementation of a two-tier density bonusing framework that enabled additional density in exchange for secured affordable and rental housing.
| Policy | Summary | Key Dates | Status |
| Community Amenity Contribution Policy | The District updated the Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) Policy to exempt all proposed and secured rental residential units from CACs and to exempt market rental density bonus units where applicable. The policy also clarified that non-market affordable housing, including core need housing delivered by non-profit or public partners and secured through housing agreements, was not subject to CAC requirements. |
May 10, 2022 - 1st report October 10, 2023 - 3rd report |
- The District advanced amendments to support student housing by increasing permitted student residences near post-secondary institutions. The changes removed the previous bed-cap limit and added flexibility to the student housing definition, improving feasibility and expanding housing capacity.
| Bylaw | Summary | Key Dates | Status |
| District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (1006 and 1018 McNamee Place) No. 3031, 2024 |
The District used a pilot rezoning on an RM-2 zone property to test achievable density uplifts and inform the design of a broader density bonusing framework that secures affordable housing and community benefits. |
June 4, 2024 - First and second reading February 18, 2025 - Second and third reading |
| Bylaw | Summary | Key Dates | Status |
| District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (RM Density Bonus) No 3107, 2024 | This bylaw implemented a two-tiered density bonusing framework, enabling additional density in RM-2 and RM-3 zones in exchange for affordable and rental housing, and removed cap units on student housing to support delivery near post-secondary institutions. |
February 27, 2024 - Squamish Housing Action Plan Overview December 17, 2024 - First, second and third reading |
Initiative 6: Revise and Streamline the Development Permitting Process
This initiative simplified housing approvals by removing Development Permit requirements for small-scale housing, streamlining Development Permit Area guidelines, and strengthening clear zoning standards. Internal capacity was increased to support faster processing of missing-middle, rental, and affordable housing applications.
| Bylaw | Summary | Key Dates | Status |
| District of Squamish, Land Development Procedures Bylaw No. 2632, 2018, Amendment Bylaw (Public Hearing Requirement Clarification) No. 3091, 2024 | Provincial legislation waived public hearing requirements for residential development. The bylaw was updated to reflect this change and address related administrative matters. |
July 2, 2024 - First and second reading |
Funding supported the addition of dedicated staff capacity and specialized expertise focused on housing policy, zoning reform, development approvals, and project delivery.
| Bylaw | Summary | Status | |
| District of Squamish Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2500, 2017, Amendment Bylaw (Development Permit Area 3 Update) No. 3079, 2024 | Under the updated policy, Development Permits were no longer required for developments consisting of four or fewer principal dwelling units, including triplexes and fourplexes. | Adopted | |
The District hosted a Multiplex Design Competition as an action of the Squamish Housing Action Plan, funded through the CMHC Housing Accelerator Fund.
Competition winners received a cash award and recognition for designs deemed appropriate for use in specific Squamish neighbourhoods, subject to Flood Construction Levels. These designs are identified in District guidance materials to connect property owners with designers and facilitate the reuse of pre-vetted plans.
Initiative 7: Complete Communities Infrastructure Planning
The District is undertaking assessments to support informed land use decision-making by considering housing need, supply, and location; improving transportation options and walkability; and aligning infrastructure investment with growth.
The District initiated the Complete Communities Infrastructure planning work by pursuing funding through the Union of B.C. Municipalities Complete Communities Program. In April 2024, UBCM approved grant funding, which enabled the District to proceed with a Neighbourhood Node Analysis and the development of a GIS-based planning tool.
| Council Reports | Plans |
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January 9, 2024 - Complete Communities Grant Application January 14, 2025 - Squamish Insight Model and Neighborhood Node Analysis Project Update May 13, 2025 - Squamish Population and Housing Projects |
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The District advanced this milestone through the Neighbourhood Node Analysis framework, which examined how housing distribution and density around identified neighbourhood nodes influenced walkable access to daily needs, services and amenities.
| Bylaw | Summary | Key Dates | Status |
| District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Garibaldi Highlands Node) No. 3215, 2025 | Proposed bylaw zoning amendment to create small-scale neighbourhood commercial use for select R-1 zoned properties with frontage on The Boulevard. |
December 2, 2025 - Report to Council January 13, 2026 - First, second and third reading |
The District advanced the infrastructure review by developing the Squamish Insight Model (SIM). The SIM was structured into three components: Squamish Now, a completed snapshot of current residential land uses supported by a preliminary dashboard; Squamish Next, modelling residential outcomes from the active development pipeline, and Squamish Future, testing longer-term residential growth scenarios beyond current application.