CITY OF VICTORIA - MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING POLICY Adopted: March 2023 | Effective: June 2023 === POLICY OVERVIEW === Purpose: The Missing Middle Housing Policy addresses the gap between single-family homes and large apartment buildings by enabling a variety of housing types that are compatible with existing neighborhood character while increasing housing supply and diversity. Background: Victoria's housing crisis requires innovative solutions that can provide more housing options without fundamentally changing neighborhood character. Missing Middle housing includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, and low-rise apartments that fit within the scale and character of existing residential neighborhoods. === HOUSING TYPES ENABLED === 1. Small Lot Houses - Smaller single-family homes on subdivided lots - Minimum lot size: 280 m² - Maximum height: 2.5 stories - Allows for gentle densification through lot subdivision 2. Secondary Dwelling Units (Garden Suites) - Detached secondary units in rear or side yards - Maximum size: 90 m² floor area - Maximum height: 1.5 stories - Parking: 1 space required 3. Duplex Housing - Two dwelling units in single building - Allowed in R1-B, R2, and R3 zones - Maximum height: 2.5 stories in R1-B zones - Design must appear as single-family home from street 4. Triplex & Fourplex Housing - 3-4 dwelling units in single building - Allowed in R3 and selected R1-B areas - Maximum height: 3 stories - Minimum lot size: 460 m² (triplex), 560 m² (fourplex) 5. Townhouse Development - Row housing with individual entrances - Allowed in RT zones and through rezoning - Maximum height: 3.5 stories - Private outdoor space required for each unit 6. Low-Rise Apartment Buildings - 4-6 story residential buildings - Transit-supportive areas and arterial streets - Minimum lot size: 1,000 m² - Enhanced design standards required === DESIGN STANDARDS === Neighborhood Compatibility Requirements: - Building height compatible with existing context - Front yard setbacks consistent with streetscape - Window placement respecting privacy - Roof form and materials compatible with area character - Landscaping and tree retention requirements Heritage Area Considerations: - Additional design review in Heritage Conservation Areas - Materials and architectural details to complement heritage character - Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings encouraged - Heritage Alteration Permits may be required Parking Requirements: - Reduced parking minimums near transit (0.5-1.0 spaces/unit) - Shared parking arrangements encouraged - Bicycle parking required (1 secure space per unit) - Electric vehicle charging infrastructure encouraged === IMPLEMENTATION ZONES === R1-B Single Family Zones: - Duplexes allowed as-of-right - Secondary suites allowed with development permit - Garden suites allowed with development permit - Small lot subdivision allowed through subdivision process R2 Two-Family Zones: - Duplexes allowed as-of-right - Triplexes allowed with development permit - Conversion of existing houses to multiple units allowed R3 Multiple Family Zones: - All missing middle housing types allowed - Fourplexes and small apartment buildings permitted - Higher density near transit stations and commercial areas Transit-Oriented Areas: - Enhanced density permissions near frequent transit - Reduced parking requirements - 4-6 story buildings allowed with development permit - Mixed-use development encouraged at ground level === AFFORDABILITY PROVISIONS === Inclusionary Zoning: - Developments of 5+ units must provide 10% affordable housing - Affordable units for households earning 30% or 50% of median income - 60-year housing agreements to maintain affordability - Cash-in-lieu payments to Housing Reserve Fund alternative Rental Housing Incentives: - Development Cost Charge (DCC) reductions for purpose-built rental - Expedited permitting for rental housing projects - Reduced parking requirements for rental buildings - Property tax incentives for affordable rental projects Heritage Housing Strategy: - Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings for affordable housing - Density bonuses for heritage retention and affordable housing - Streamlined heritage processes for housing projects - Heritage Revitalization Agreements with affordability components === DEVELOPMENT PROCESS === As-of-Right Development: - Duplexes in R1-B zones (no development permit required) - Secondary suites meeting building code requirements - Single-family homes on subdivided lots - Standard building permit process applies Development Permit Required: - Triplexes and fourplexes in eligible zones - Garden suites and secondary dwelling units - Buildings in Development Permit Areas - Design review for neighborhood compatibility Rezoning Applications: - Townhouse development in non-RT zones - Low-rise apartments outside designated areas - Mixed-use development with residential component - Public consultation and Council approval required === INFRASTRUCTURE CONSIDERATIONS === Servicing Capacity: - Water and sewer capacity assessment for larger developments - Stormwater management requirements for new development - Electrical service upgrades may be required - Coordination with BC Hydro and utility providers Transportation Impact: - Traffic impact assessments for developments over 10 units - Transportation Demand Management plans for larger projects - Pedestrian and cycling improvements as development conditions - Transit service enhancement advocacy for higher density areas Community Amenities: - Parks dedication or cash-in-lieu for subdivisions - Community amenity contributions for larger developments - Childcare facilities required for developments over 80 units - Public art requirements for developments over 50 units === MONITORING & EVALUATION === Housing Supply Tracking: - Annual reporting on housing units created by type - Affordability outcomes monitoring and evaluation - Market rental rates and ownership costs analysis - Displacement prevention and tenant protection measures Neighborhood Impact Assessment: - Traffic and parking impact monitoring - Infrastructure capacity utilization tracking - Community services demand analysis - Resident satisfaction surveys in pilot areas Policy Effectiveness Review: - 3-year comprehensive policy review scheduled for 2026 - Adjustments based on implementation experience - Community feedback integration and policy refinement - Alignment with Regional Growth Strategy updates === IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE === Phase 1 (2023): R1-B zones, duplex as-of-right, garden suites Phase 2 (2024): R2 and R3 zone expansions, triplex/fourplex permits Phase 3 (2025): Transit-oriented development enhancements Phase 4 (2026): Policy review and potential expansion to additional zones === CONTACT INFORMATION === Planning & Development Department City of Victoria 1 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC V8W 1P6 Phone: (250) 361-0600 Email: planning@victoria.ca Web: www.victoria.ca/planning Missing Middle Housing Information Sessions: Monthly community information sessions Online resources and application guides Pre-application consultation services available Document Version: 2.1 Last Updated: September 2024 Next Review: March 2026