First year of Saanich garden suite program has 50 approved projects

First year of Saanich garden suite program has 50 approved projects
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Since the launch of the garden suite program, 103 applications have been received by Saanich. (District of Saanich/Facebook)

In the first year of Saanich’s new garden suite program, 50 projects have been approved with many other applications underway.

From October 2020 to October 2021, there were 67 applications received for garden suites in the municipality – 57 were for new garden suites, and ten were for converting existing accessory buildings to legal suites.

Since then, another 36 applications have been received, bringing the total number of applications in May 2022 to 103.

“A key objective of our Garden Suite Program was to increase housing options by providing a clear set of regulations to homeowners looking to create a backyard cottage,” said Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes in a news release.

“Every bit counts and with over 103 applications already in, this program provides new opportunities for inter-generational housing support and aging in-place. Combined with the extensive series of additional housing initiatives now underway, this program helps us to solve the housing challenge.”

The Garden Suite Program allows homeowners the opportunity to build or convert an accessory building into a garden suite, as long as it is for the purpose of housing family or long-term rental properties.

While receiving the report on the first year, council is proposed making changes to the program including:

  • Allowing garden suites in side yards and front yards (in addition to rear yards, as currently permitted);
  • Expanding the geographic areas for garden suites to include RS-zoned properties within the Urban Containment Boundary that are not within the Sewer Service Area;
  • Adding a map in the zoning bylaw to show areas where garden suites are permitted to clarify the exclusion of the Broadmead covenant area;
  • Expanding approval authority for garden suite Development Permits; and
  • Making several minor changes to the regulatory framework to improve clarity and enhance process efficiency.

READ MORE: It is now legal to construct a garden suite with a permit in Saanich

Laura BroughamLaura Brougham

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