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What Can You Build on Your Property? Find Out, 100% Free
Get personalized 1-on-1 guidance from Small Housing to assess your lot’s gentle density potential, explore project options, and map out costs before you hire a builder or spend a dollar.
Your Property Holds More Potential Than Ever. BC’s Housing Rules Have Changed.
Curious about adding a laneway home, accessory dwelling unit, or more to your property? Navigating zoning rules, permitting, development costs, and financing can feel overwhelming. You don’t need to figure it all out alone or risk your savings to discover what’s possible.
Small Housing’s free Predevelopment Navigator turns complex regulations into a simple, customized roadmap for you and your property, giving you clarity, confidence, and practical guidance before you commit to construction.
More Space for Family
Create new housing to keep loved ones close, whether helping adult children get into homeownership or creating options to age in place.
More Income
Generate additional rental income while making better use of the property you already own.
More for the Future
Build on your own land and create generational wealth that lasts for years to come.
Become a Homeowner Developer
Take charge of your property’s potential and add gentle density housing like a laneway home or multi-unit build. You bring the property and the vision, and we provide the expert guidance to help you navigate the process with confidence.
Your Property
- A home located in an established single-family detached neighbourhood
- In a community with a Vancity branch (Find your branch)
- At an early predevelopment stage; no design, permits, or construction has started
You
- A Vancity member
- A homeowner
- Actively exploring a gentle density build within the next 12-24 months
- Open to an unbiased feasibility check whether it’s a green light or a "no-go"
- Ready to discuss a realistic budget
*Speculative developers, multiple property owners, corporate or institutional applicants, and owner-builders managing their own construction are currently ineligible.
Get Clarity Before You Build
Information and feasibility first. No pressure, no obligation. We guide you through 4 simple steps to get clarity on zoning, design options, and costs before you take your next step.
What to Expect
Application
Submit a quick application to confirm your eligibility.
Initial Meeting
We will connect you with a Small Housing Navigator to discuss your goals, timeline, and budget while reviewing early property opportunities.
Feasibility Study
A tailored assessment covering zoning, site conditions, 2-3 development options, and cost estimates with a clear recommendation.
Ongoing Support
Check-ins as your project moves forward and connections with resources at each stage.
Know Before You Apply
Am I obligated to build if I apply for the Predevelopment Navigator service?
Not at all. You get full clarity on your property’s feasibility, zoning, and preliminary budget so you can make an informed decision.
Do I need to be a Vancity member to use this service?
In this early stage, predevelopment advising is available only for Vancity members. This service is fully funded by Vancity as a community investment to help make gentle density housing more accessible across our region.
How long does the Predevelopment Navigator process take?
What happens after the feasibility study is complete?
Does Small Housing help with the construction process?
100% Free, Courtesy of
About Small Housing
Since 2012, Small Housing has been an independent non-profit resource dedicated to making gentle density easier to build in communities across British Columbia.
We are not builders, lenders, or developers. We are a trusted resource here to help you understand your options, make informed decisions, and move forward with confidence.
Start Your Homeowner Development Journey
The application takes a few minutes. No cost, no pressure.
Just industry guidance for your gentle density project.
Not Ready to Apply Just Yet?
Download our free Homeowner’s Guide to learn how new provincial housing rules apply to your lot and how you can evaluate your property’s potential.
What’s inside: what new BC rules allow on your lot, the questions to ask before you spend anything, and a plain-language walkthrough of predevelopment planning and costs.
*You may unsubscribe at any time.
Contact
#76, 3012A Murray Street
Port Moody, BC
V3H, 1X2
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