Transit oriented development areas

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is an approach to land use planning that locates high-density, mixed-use development within walking distance from frequent transit services. TOD typically incorporates a variety of land uses, including residential, commercial (such as, grocery stores and retail) and community amenities (such as childcare and community centres). TOD promotes the creation of complete, liveable, and sustainable communities by building more homes near transit and services.

TOD legislative framework

New legislation will require some municipalities to designate Transit-Oriented Development Areas (TOD Areas) near transit hubs. These TOD Areas are defined as areas within 800 metres of a rapid transit station (e.g., SkyTrain station) and 400 metres of a bus exchange and West Coast Express that the Province has listed in regulations.

In these areas, local governments are required to: 

• Ensure that minimum levels of density, size, and dimension established by the Province in regulations are allowed in TOD Areas. These will vary by municipality and may vary within the TOD Area. Local governments can approve densities that exceed the provincial regulations at their discretion
• Remove restrictive parking minimums for off-street residential and allow parking volumes to be determined by market need and demand
• Consider guidance and details in the provincial policy manual when planning or amending zoning bylaws

The TOD regulations

• Designate the 52 TOD Areas that take immediate effect (see the list below). The TOD legislative framework (minimum allowable level of density, consideration of provincial policy manual, no minimum parking requirements for off-street residential) applies to these areas right away
• List the transit stations around which local governments must designate TOD Areas by June 30, 2024 (PDF, 43KB)
• Set out the details such as the minimum allowable density and applicable distance from the stations (PDF, 123KB)

View the regulations for the Housing Statutes (Transit-Oriented Areas) Amendment Act:

• OIC 674-2023
• OIC 676-2023
• OIC 677-2023
• OIC 678-2023

The TOD policy manual (PDF, 2.5MB)​ establishes provincial expectations for local governments as they implement the requirements, such as when designating TOD Areas by bylaw, making zoning decisions, and updating parking bylaws. 

Parking in TOD Areas

Requirements for parking can add to the costs of building housing and reduce the incentive for the public to use transit. To remove parking as a potential barrier to building more homes in these areas, local governments are not able to require off-street residential parking spaces in TOD Areas. 

Residential parking in TOD Areas will be provided instead based on needs and a project-by-project basis.

Municipalities are still able to require accessible parking spaces for people living with disabilities and for commercial uses to access services and amenities, as well as loading. 

52 TOD Areas designated by regulation – in effect immediately