Laneway Home Construction in Burnaby, BC

Laneway Homes Under Burnaby's R1 Rules

Burnaby moved to a Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing framework, and detached homes at the rear of a lot — what many people still call laneway homes — continue to be allowed in the new R1 district, including on lots without a lane.

Pro 1 Construction builds these as full, code-compliant homes, planned around the City of Burnaby's current requirements and the realities of each lot.

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Under Burnaby's R1 Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing rules, rear-of-lot homes are now regulated the same as other principal buildings (such as single-family homes) and are no longer called “laneway homes” in the regulations. The City notes the regulations can allow forms such as multiple laneway homes, semi-detached laneway homes, and laneway homes with secondary suites. What fits a specific lot depends on its size and the City's rules, so confirm your lot with the City of Burnaby.

What Burnaby's Rules Allow

According to the City of Burnaby:

• Where allowed: Laneway-style homes are permitted in the R1 Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing district, including on lots without a lane.
• How they're regulated: They are regulated the same as other principal buildings, rather than as a separate “laneway home” category.
• Possible forms: The regulations can permit multiple laneway homes, semi-detached laneway homes, and laneway homes with secondary suites.
• Where to confirm: The City directs builders to its Zoning Bylaw Rewrite and New Home Construction resources for design possibilities and construction requirements.

Siting, Access, and Servicing

Burnaby lots vary from flat to sloped, so rear-yard access, grade, mature landscaping, and staging all need planning, along with protecting the existing home during construction. A detached home needs its own services, so connection routing, drainage, and electrical capacity are best reviewed early — especially on sloped or deep lots.

Work With a BC Housing Licensed Residential Builder

A rear-of-lot detached home is a new home, which makes builder licensing and home warranty insurance part of the planning process. Pro 1 Construction is a BC Housing Licensed Residential Builder and carries 2-5-10 home warranty coverage for applicable new-home construction projects, subject to the warranty provider, policy terms, limits, and exclusions.