A 9-part series - District of North Vancouver’s new residential zoning rules.

Part 4 of 9: New Zoning Rules in Your Backyard

For some District of North Vancouver homeowners, one of the most interesting changes in the new zoning rules may be happening in the backyard.

On qualifying properties in the R2 Urban Detached Residential Zone, the maximum permitted coach-house size increases from approximately 968 sq. ft. to as much as 1,400 sq. ft.

The rules also provide up to an additional 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area on the property for a coach house.

That makes a coach house a much more meaningful housing option than it has traditionally been.

A larger coach house could potentially work for:

• aging parents

• adult children

• extended family

• long-term rental accommodation

• downsizing within your own property

• additional flexible living space

There is an important distinction, however: the coach-house provision applies to qualifying R2 properties. R1 properties outside the Urban Containment Boundary do not receive the same provision.

What does this mean for my property?

A coach house could materially change how a family uses a property — and potentially how a future buyer values it.

But having R2 zoning does not automatically mean a 1,400 sq. ft. coach house will work on every lot.

The existing house, lot dimensions, setbacks, parking, landscaping requirements, access and other site conditions still matter.

So if a coach house is part of your future plans, the right question isn't simply “Is it allowed?”

It is “What could actually work on my particular property?”

And a coach house isn't the only way one property may accommodate more than one household.

Next week: Could Your Property Accommodate More Than One Household?

This article is a general summary and is not intended as legal or planning advice. Property-specific requirements should always be confirmed with the District of North Vancouver.

A 9-part series - District of North Vancouver’s new residential zoning rules.

Part 3 of 9: Could Your Next North Vancouver Home Be Three Storeys?

If the District is discouraging deep underground basements, where does that living space go?

Increasingly, the answer may be up.

Under the new residential zoning rules, a principal house can generally be designed with as many as three storeys, with the storey count including applicable basement and attic living areas.

Maximum overall height will generally be:

• 33 feet (10.1 metres) for a flat or very low-pitched roof

• 38 feet (11.6 metres) for a qualifying pitched roof

There are additional height controls toward the front and rear portions of a property intended to reduce the impact of taller homes on neighbouring properties.

The result could be a gradual change in the way new detached homes in North Vancouver are designed.

Rather than putting significant living space underground, future homes may make greater use of above-ground floors.

What does this mean for my property?

If you are considering rebuilding, don't assume your future home needs to follow the same basic shape as the house currently sitting on the lot.

A three-storey design may provide different options for bedrooms, family areas, views and multigenerational living.

But being permitted to build taller does not necessarily mean you can build a substantially larger house. Overall floor-area limits still apply.

Height, floor area, setbacks, slope and neighbouring properties all work together in determining what can actually be built.

And there is another potentially valuable opportunity under the new zoning — particularly for R2 properties.

Next week: Could You Build a 1,400 Sq. Ft. Coach House on Your Property?

This article is a general summary and is not intended as legal or planning advice. Property-specific requirements should always be confirmed with the District of North Vancouver.

For some real estate buyers, the value of a property isn’t just in what it is today — it’s in the number of options it may offer over time.

That is what makes 423–425 East 2nd Street particularly interesting.

Currently improved with a side-by-side duplex, the property sits on a 50' x 120' lot with sunny southern exposure, city and water views, lane access and a convenient Lower Lonsdale location. Each side offers three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, private outdoor space and two parking spaces.

But it’s the flexibility that deserves a closer look.

An Investment That Doesn't Require an Immediate Plan

One side, 423, is currently rented to a long-term tenant at $2,300 per month, providing income from day one. The adjoining home at 425 is vacant.

That combination opens up several possibilities.

An investor could rent both sides. An owner could live in one and collect rent from the other. Two generations of a family could live next door to one another. A buyer could renovate and reposition the existing homes — or simply hold the property while considering longer-term plans.

There is value in having time to decide.

Why the Land Is Part of the Story

Housing policy in the City of North Vancouver has been evolving quickly.

Provincial small-scale multi-unit housing legislation has required municipalities to permit additional housing on many properties that were traditionally limited to single-family homes and duplexes. The City has consequently been updating both its Official Community Plan and zoning regulations, including provisions for three, four and, in certain locations, up to six dwelling units.

That makes properties with established residential use, good lot dimensions and convenient locations particularly worth investigating for buyers thinking beyond the existing improvements.

423–425 East 2nd has historically been associated with RG-3 ground-oriented residential zoning, a category intended for ground-oriented multi-family housing. Under the RG-3 regulations, density could reach up to 1.0 Floor Space Ratio (FSR), subject to the applicable development regulations and guidelines. The City notes that zoning determines matters such as permitted uses, density, building form, setbacks and lot coverage. 

Given the changes to North Vancouver’s planning framework, buyers should not rely solely on historical zoning or an assumed unit count when evaluating redevelopment potential. Anyone contemplating redevelopment should independently confirm the property's current zoning, OCP designation, permitted density and development requirements with the City of North Vancouver. The City's CityMap Property Report is one tool buyers can use to investigate individual properties.

The Appeal of Optionality

Redevelopment properties sometimes come with an uncomfortable trade-off: buyers pay for future potential while owning something that produces little value in the meantime.

This property is different.

There is already a substantial duplex in place. There is existing rental income. There is a vacant residence available for immediate use. And there is a sizeable parcel of land that may warrant further investigation for longer-term possibilities.

In other words, there doesn't have to be one strategy.

Live in one. Rent the other. Hold both. Renovate. Or investigate what could come next.

For an investor or buyer who values flexibility, sometimes the opportunity isn't having to know exactly what you'll do with a property on day one.

It's having several viable choices when you get there.

Curious what the zoning or redevelopment potential of your own property might mean? We are always happy to help you understand the pieces — and when appropriate, point you toward the City or other professionals who can confirm exactly what is possible.

423–425 East 2nd Street, North Vancouver
Side-by-side duplex | 6 bedrooms | 6 bathrooms | 3,044 sq. ft.
50' x 120' lot | $2,199,000 Jasmine Botto

View 423–425 East 2nd Street

There are a few important developments in the rental market right now that both landlords and buyers should be aware of.

Asking Rents Continue to Ease

The average asking rent in Canada fell to $2,035 in August 2026, down 4.8% compared with a year earlier. That marked the 23rd consecutive month of year-over-year declines.

The national figures do not mean every neighbourhood or property type is behaving the same way, but they do show that renters generally have more choice than they did during the tightest part of the rental market.

For landlords, that may mean paying closer attention to pricing, presentation and how a rental compares with competing properties. For renters, it may create more opportunity to compare options rather than feeling pressure to act immediately.

B.C.’s 2027 Rent Increase Limit Is 2.2%

The Province of British Columbia has set the maximum allowable annual rent increase at 2.2% for 2027, down slightly from 2.3% in 2026. The Province says this is the seventh consecutive year the allowable increase has been set at or below inflation.

Landlords who choose to increase rent must still follow the requirements of the Residential Tenancy Act, including using the proper notice and providing the required notice period.

Buying a Home With a Tenant in Place?

This is an area where buyers need to be especially careful.

A tenancy does not automatically end when a property is sold.

If a buyer intends to occupy the property themselves, the process has to be handled correctly. For purchaser occupancy, B.C. requires the landlord to generate the appropriate notice through the Residential Tenancy Branch web portal and provide the tenant with at least three months’ notice.

That timing can become very important when an offer includes vacant possession.

A buyer may assume that possession day and move-in day will be the same, but if the tenancy notice has not been served correctly — or the dates do not line up — that assumption can create complications.

For that reason, when we are helping someone purchase a tenanted property, we pay close attention to the tenancy, proposed possession date and the wording of the contract well before subjects are removed.

What Does This Mean for Buyers and Landlords?

For landlords, softer asking rents mean it is increasingly important to understand what comparable rental properties are actually asking — and what tenants are choosing.

For buyers, particularly those purchasing a property they plan to occupy, the existence of a tenant should be considered early in the process, not after the offer has been accepted.

The rules around tenancies can affect timing, possession and even whether a particular property is practical for your plans.

If you are buying, selling or considering a rental property, getting advice early can help avoid surprises later.

Metro Vancouver inventory remains 26.2% above the 10-year seasonal average, while sales were 20.7% below the 10-year average. Prices have consequently been drifting rather than collapsing, with the composite benchmark down 5.6% year-over-year. (GVR Realtors)

For the North Shore specifically, the contrast is interesting. North Vancouver finished August with roughly seven months of inventory — generally balanced territory — while West Vancouver had approximately 13 months, giving buyers considerably more leverage there.
If you’ve been following the real estate headlines, you’ve probably heard plenty about slower sales, more inventory and softer prices.

But what does any of that actually mean for you?

The more useful story as we head into the fall market is that buyers and sellers are operating with a very different set of conditions than they were a few years ago — and that creates opportunities on both sides.

If You’re Buying: You Have Something Buyers Haven’t Had in a While — Time

Across Metro Vancouver, there are still considerably more homes for sale than we would normally see at this time of year, while sales remain well below historical averages.

That means buyers can often:

· compare several properties before making a decision

· negotiate more confidently on price and terms

· include appropriate subjects for financing, inspection and due diligence

· walk away from a property that simply doesn’t make sense

Perhaps most importantly, you don’t necessarily have to compete.

There are still great properties that attract immediate attention, but the overall market is giving buyers more breathing room than we’ve seen for much of the past decade.

If you have been waiting for a market where you can make a thoughtful decision rather than a rushed one, this may be it.

If You’re Selling: The Market Is Still Moving — But Buyers Are Choosy

Homes are selling. But buyers have alternatives, and that changes how a property needs to come to market.

Today, pricing slightly too high with the intention of “testing the market” can be costly. Buyers can easily compare your home with everything else available and may simply move on.

The listings that tend to stand out are the ones that are:

well prepared, well presented, well marketed and priced appropriately from the beginning.

This doesn’t mean sellers need to give their homes away. It means understanding your competition — and your neighbourhood — matters more than ever.

And If You’re Waiting for Prices to Bottom Out?

This may be the most interesting part of the current market.

Prices have softened, but we aren’t seeing the kind of dramatic correction some buyers have been waiting for.

At the same time, inventory has started to come down from its recent highs.

That creates an important trade-off: waiting may bring a slightly lower price, but it could also mean less selection or more competition later.

For buyers who find the right home today, negotiating the right purchase may ultimately matter more than perfectly predicting the bottom of the market.

The North Shore Isn't One Market

This is especially important locally.

North Vancouver is currently behaving much more like a balanced market, while West Vancouver remains substantially more favourable to buyers.

And within those markets, a detached home in Lynn Valley can behave very differently from a Central Lonsdale condo or a Dundarave apartment.

That’s why broad market statistics are only the starting point.

The number that matters most isn't what Metro Vancouver did last month — it's what comparable homes are doing in your neighbourhood and price range.

If you’re wondering what these market conditions mean for your own home or your next purchase, we're always happy to help you make sense of the numbers.

A 9-part series - District of North Vancouver’s new residential zoning rules.

Part 2 of 9: Thinking About Rebuilding? North Vancouver’s Basement Rules Are Changing

One of the most significant changes in the District’s new residential zoning rules involves basements.

For years, many North Vancouver homes have been designed with substantial portions of their living space below grade. Under the new rules, that approach is changing.

New fully in-ground basements will no longer be permitted.

Partial basements can still be built, but on a sloping lot the basement can generally extend only about 4 feet, or 1.2 metres, into the ground on the downhill side.

The District is essentially shifting usable living space above ground rather than underground.

That does not mean homeowners with existing basements suddenly have a problem.

Existing legal basement construction is not being eliminated, and renovations to existing basements can generally continue subject to the applicable rules and permitting requirements.

The biggest impact is likely to be felt when someone is planning a new house or substantial redevelopment.

What does this mean for my property?

If you are contemplating replacing your home, the new basement rules could significantly affect how the new house needs to be designed.

A floor plan that might have worked under the previous zoning may no longer work in the same way, particularly on sloping North Vancouver properties.

It also means homeowners considering redevelopment should look at the property as a whole rather than assuming they can reproduce the same basement configuration found in neighbouring homes.

The trade-off is that the new zoning provides more flexibility elsewhere — including the possibility of building taller.

And that is where we are going next.

Next week: Could Your Next North Vancouver Home Be Three Storeys?

This article is a general summary and is not intended as legal or planning advice. Property-specific requirements should always be confirmed with the District of North Vancouver.

Buying a condo is about much more than the suite itself.

The kitchen, layout, view and location may be what first attract you, but some of the most important information about a property is found in the strata documents. Before a buyer removes subjects, we spend time looking for anything that could affect future costs, enjoyment of the home, or resale value.

Here are seven areas we pay particularly close attention to.

1. The Form B

The Form B is one of the most important documents in a strata purchase. It can reveal current strata fees, parking and storage allocations, outstanding amounts, approved special levies, legal proceedings and other important details about the strata lot.

It is a good starting point — but it should never be the only document reviewed.

2. Depreciation Reports

A depreciation report gives us a long-term look at the building’s major components and anticipated repair or replacement costs.

We look at items such as the roof, windows, plumbing, elevators, balconies, parkade membranes and building envelope. Just as importantly, we compare the report with the strata’s current financial position and recent minutes.

A building can have a long list of future projects without necessarily being a concern. The bigger question is whether the strata appears to be planning and funding for them responsibly.

3. AGM and Council Minutes

Minutes can tell you a great deal about how a building is being run.

We look for recurring issues, major repairs, owner complaints, insurance matters, leaks, noise concerns, legal disputes, maintenance plans and anything else that appears repeatedly.

One isolated issue may mean very little. A pattern is more important.

4. The Contingency Reserve Fund

The Contingency Reserve Fund, or CRF, is money set aside for larger repairs, replacements and emergencies. 

A healthy reserve does not guarantee there will never be a special levy, but it can give the strata more flexibility when major expenses arise.

We look at the size of the fund, recent withdrawals, upcoming projects and whether the current contribution level appears realistic.

5. Insurance

Strata insurance has become an increasingly important part of condo due diligence.

We review the building’s insurance coverage, deductibles and any unusually high deductibles that could potentially affect an owner.

Buyers should also confirm that their own condo insurance will provide appropriate coverage, including deductible assessment coverage where needed.

6. Bylaws and Rules

Bylaws can have a direct impact on how you use your home.

Pets, rentals, smoking, renovations, flooring, barbecues, age restrictions, parking and move-in procedures can all be governed by the strata.

Never assume that because something is common in one building, it will be permitted in another.

7. What Work Has Been Done — and What Is Still Coming

This is where all the documents start to come together.

A depreciation report may identify a future project, while AGM minutes may show that it has already been completed. Or the minutes may reveal that a project has been discussed for several years but still has not moved forward.

We try to establish not only what the building needs, but also what has already been completed, what is planned next, and how it may be paid for.

The Goal Isn’t to Find a “Perfect” Building

Every strata has maintenance issues eventually.

The goal is not to find a building with no future expenses. It is to understand what you are buying, identify potential risks and make an informed decision before you become committed to the purchase.

That is why subject removal is such an important stage of a condo purchase. It is the point where good due diligence can make a very real difference.

If you are considering a condo purchase, we are always happy to help you understand what the documents are actually telling you — and what questions are worth asking before you move forward.

If you are working with us and would like details about the BCAA home insurance referral offer, just ask us. We are happy to provide the referral information so you can explore the potential savings directly with BCAA.

Buying your first home comes with a lot of new terminology and it’s completely normal to feel unsure about what it all means. From inspections to appraisals, each step plays an important role in helping you make an informed decision. Here’s a simple breakdown of what these terms mean and why they matter when purchasing a home.

Home Inspection

Once you’re under contract on a home you’d like to buy, getting an inspection is a key part of the process. An inspection gives you a clear idea of the safety and overall condition of the home – which is important for such a big transaction. As a recent Realtor.com article explains:

“A home inspection is something that protects your financial interest in what will likely be the largest purchase you make in your life—one in which you need as much information as possible.”

If anything comes up during the inspection — such as the age of the roof, the condition of the heating system, or any other concerns — you may have the opportunity to discuss next steps with the seller before the purchase is final.

You won’t be navigating that conversation on your own. Your real estate agent will help you understand the findings, consider your options, and advocate for you throughout any further discussions or negotiations.

Home Appraisal

While the inspection tells you about the current state of the house, an appraisal gives you its value. Bankrate explains:

“When buying or selling a home, an appraisal verifies that the sale price of the home is in line with fair market value. This ensures the homebuyer doesn’t pay more than the home is worth, and the mortgage lender doesn’t lend more than it is worth.”

If you’re using a mortgage to purchase your home, the appraisal is an important step. It helps confirm the property’s value for the lender and offers an added layer of protection for you as the buyer.

If the appraised value comes in lower than the agreed purchase price, your real estate professional will help you understand your options and navigate any next steps, including possible negotiations.

Bottom Line

The inspection and appraisal are two different, but equally important, steps in the home buying process. The good news is, you don’t have to navigate them on your own. With the right guidance, you can move through each stage with clarity, confidence, and support from start to finish.

More choice, less urgency
Inventory is up (well above the 10-year average), and sales are below normal levels. That gives buyers more options and time to make decisions—less of the pressure we saw in past spring markets.

Negotiation is back (in pockets)
With the sales-to-active listings ratio at 14.2%, we’re in balanced market territory—but leaning softer. Especially in apartments and attached homes, buyers have more leverage.

Detached may tighten
This is the interesting shift:

• Detached sales up 8.3%

• New listings down

That combination can create competition in select detached properties, even while the broader market feels calm.

Pricing isn’t falling fast—but it’s softer year-over-year
Prices are down ~6–8% from last year, but relatively stable month-to-month. Translation:

• No sharp “deals” across the board

• But better value than a year ago

Historically, the first quarter of the year offers a unique window of opportunity for home sellers—and the data this year reinforces that pattern.

As shown in our current North and West Vancouver listing graph, the number of active residential listings at the start of January is materially lower than what we consistently see as we move toward spring and summer . This is not an anomaly. It is a seasonal trend that repeats itself year after year.

Less Competition Means More Attention

With fewer homes on the market right now, well-priced properties face less competition for buyer attention. Buyers who are active in January and February are typically motivated, informed, and prepared to act—often because they chose not to wait for the busier spring season.

Inventory Predictably Rises as Spring Approaches

The historical data clearly shows that listing counts climb steadily from late winter through early summer. As inventory rises, sellers are no longer competing with dozens of alternatives—they are competing with hundreds. More choice for buyers inevitably means longer decision cycles and increased pricing pressure.

Early Sellers Often Control the Narrative

Listing before the seasonal surge allows sellers to establish value without being influenced by a flood of comparable homes. In many cases, this translates to stronger showing activity and cleaner negotiations, simply because buyers have fewer substitutes.

The Takeaway

The next 60 days represent a strategic selling window:

• Inventory is still low

• Buyer demand is present

• Competition will only increase from here

For homeowners considering a move this year, timing can be just as important as pricing and presentation. Acting before the spring inventory wave arrives can meaningfully improve positioning in the market.