SSMUH in View Royal

The Town of View Royal covers 1700 acres. According to the Official Community Plan, View Royal had a population of 10408 in 2016, and they expect the population to grow to 15,000 by 2046. The Town expects this 50% increase to require a total of 6700 housing units. Some of those new units will be in-fill such as Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH). View Royal has developed an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) around the Urban Containment Policy Area that keeps growth out of the two Regional Parks in the Town: Thetis Lake and Mill Hill. The Town of View Royal consistently follows the Province’s lead and uses the phrase SSMUH to refer to this new type of density infill.

Zoning for View Royal

View Royal has 86 zoning classifications. SSMUH has been added as a permitted use to four of these zones which are designated as R-1(x) and R-2. The Town of View Royal collected the SSMUH use in Schedule E. They presented it as four categories delineated by lot size or by proximity to a Prescribed Frequent Transit Stop.

BC Transit sets the bus frequency at Victoria General Hospital (VGH). The Province centers Transit Oriented Area (TOA) in such high frequency areas. This TOA, like all TOAs, zoned for higher densities than the four or six units allowed in SSMUH developments.

Aside from this TOA centered on VGH, there are three Prescribed Frequent Transit Stops, which allow for lower densities than TOAs. These three areas within the UCB are designated for the maximum density under SSMUH. Two of these Frequent Transit Stop Areas are along Island Hwy. The third is near the intersection of Helmcken Rd and Hwy 1, and is crescent shaped due to it’s proximity to the TOA at VGH.

Helpful Documents

The Town of View Royal has two documents covering the zoning changes associated with the new Provincial rules: map and an assembly of zoning parameters constituting the new SSMUH Zoning.

The Town of View Royal assembled the specific conditions for SSMUH developments in Schedule E of the Zoning By-laws.

Additional Documents

The homeowner or developer will need to complete other documents. A Building Permit, Form & Character Development Permit and Development Cost Charge analysis are some examples. Depending on the particular site, a Development Permit, a Heritage Permit or a Tree Permit may be necessary.

Action Plan: SSMUH in View Royal

If you are ready to assess the potential for SSMUH in View Royal, the first step is contacting us for a consultation.

If you’re ready to realize the cash potential of building a Small-Scale-Multi-Unit Houseplex on your property, you have options. We can buy your property, or partner with you to develop it.