Infill Housing and Single Family Residential

Updated July 25, 2024

What has changed?

Most residential properties within the urban containment boundary (PDF) AND serviced by both City water and sewer will be allowed to have up to four (4) dwelling units under the umbrella of “Small-scale Multi-unit Housing” (SSMUH).  The necessary amendments to the City’s Zoning Bylaw No. 2303 and Official Community Plan No. 4000 were completed in June 2024.

  • For answers to general questions about the zoning changes go to this short FAQ sheet: FAQ sheet (PDF).
  • Follow the link for the current Zoning Bylaw (PDF) in effect.
  • For information regarding permeable surfaces, click here (PDF). 
  • To determine what zone your property is go to the online mapping portal.
  • For information about secondary suites and the BC Building Code, click here (PDF). For information about secondary suites in the City of Salmon Arm, click here (PDF).

Note, if you are applying to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit or Secondary Suite to your property a building permit and in some cases Development Permit as well as registration under the Homeowners Protection Act may also be required.

For the history of Council reports regarding these changes, in order as they are put before Council:

Development Procedures Bylaw No. 4640

This Bylaw establishes how development applications are processed and delegates specific but limited permits to expedite the process.

New application types include Development Variance Permit (Minor) and Development Permit (Minor).

For proposals which a total of three units or more in 3 buildings or less, staff may issue the Development Permit with the Building Permit application, provided the Development Permit Guidelines are met. For proposals in which 4 units are in 4 buildings, Council must consider the issuance of the Development Permit.

OCP Design Guidelines for Infill Residential Development Permit Area (DPA) Bylaw No. 4654

Bylaw 4654 adds a new DPA that relates to housing and density changes in zoning. It sets form and character guidelines and policies for the streetscape/context, site planning, architectural design, and safe access for all cases where three or four buildings accommodate dwelling units on a single residential property.

How does Small-scale Multi-unit Housing fit into the City of Salmon Arm context?

Looking at City zoning for single family residential use, over 3,660 properties are currently zoned R-1. This is the majority of lands within the Urban Containment Boundary (PDF)or UCB.

R-1 as well as R-2, R-3, R-4, R-7, R-8, and R-9, as revised or combined and renamed, will allow more density; however, the number of additional units is limited by a number of factors including: topography, geo-hazards, parcel configuration and size, floodplain/ riparian, utility capacity, etc. As well, the Zoning Bylaw (PDF) will continue to regulate building height, setbacks to property lines, and the limit in parcel coverage by buildings. We are also proposing to limit how much of a residential parcel can be covered with impermeable or “hard” surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, and non-green roofs.

For more information on permeable surfaces and how it is calculated, click here (FAQ permeability June2024)

To view videos of the presentations at Council meetings and Council deliberations on these changes:

What about the in-progress Official Community Plan (OCP) update?

Since a critical function of any OCP is to estimate future growth and housing demand and to allocate adequate land to meet that demand, the SSMUH changes in density will play a critical part the OCP updates.  Follow the link to find out more information about the OCP Review.

How does this fit into the BC context?

The requirement to allow increased density is just one part of a framework of changes and programs. Follow the link for information about the Province's "Homes for People" initiatives.

How do I apply for the Province’s Secondary Suite Incentive Program?

Go to the link below for all the info on how to apply to the Province under this program. The City of Salmon Arm is involved only to the extent of a zoning check and building permit administration.

Note that to qualify for this program, Salmon Arm under the Vernon catchment for the limit in a property’s assessed value and for the cap in monthly rent that may be charged. For Salmon Arm year 2024 and 2025, this is set at $1145 for a studio/1 bdrm and $1400 for 2 or more bedrooms. https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/secondary-suite