Real Estate Review CityofDeltamakingiteasier toaddsecondarysuites

sgyarmati@delta-optimist com

Delta council last week (May 1) gave final approval for a zoning amendment to make it easier for more homes to add secondary suites.

The changes include removing the minimum and maximum floor area requirements for secondary suites and increasing the maximum percentage of total floor area permitted.

A planning department report notes the changes will allow for greater flexibility in design to accommodate a wider range of rental household types, while keeping secondary suites as accessory to the single-detached dwelling use.

The changes would also make the city’s zoning bylaw more consistent with recent Building Code changes. The changes also represent a key implementation item identified in Delta’s Housing Action Plan.

The planning department is also cur- rently looking at introducing more elements of the plan, including allowing secondary suites in duplexes

The planning department says secondary suites facilitate low-impact densification as they can be integrated within mature neighbourhoods.

Delta currently has more than 2,800 dwellings with a secondary suite occupancy permit, with approximately 75 percent of the authorized suites located in North Delta.