Development Potential in Colwood

Where Colwood stood until now

Colwood's stated position through 2024 was that none of the City's residential zones were legally required to be amended for Bill 44 densities, because the existing zones already permitted both a secondary suite and an accessory dwelling unit.

Sources: Let's Talk Colwood, Bill 44 and 47

What the new bylaw permits

Bylaw 2091 reached third reading on 13 July 2026. When it is adopted, the tiers are:

Lot size and location and units
Lot size and location	Units
279 square metres or less	3
280 to 4,050 square metres	4
Over 281 square metres, within 400 metres of a prescribed stop	6

Blink Route 95 on the Island Highway and Goldstream is the only qualifying route, so the six unit tier applies only along that corridor.

No public hearing was held, because section 467 of the Local Government Act prohibits one for this kind of bylaw. Check with the City whether Bylaw 2091 has been adopted before you rely on these tiers.

Sources: Colwood Bill 44 Implementation, Colwood Public Input Binder, June 2026

Sewer decides the lot

Roughly 5,800 unsewered lots in Colwood are excluded from small scale multi unit eligibility. A companion amendment to the Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw would permit development only on sewer connected lots.

If you are buying in Colwood for density, the sewer connection is the deal, not the zone. Confirm it before anything else.

Sources: Colwood Public Input Binder, June 2026

Near the Colwood exchange

The Colwood Exchange is a designated transit oriented area under provincial rules. Within 200 metres of it, the City cannot refuse a rezoning on density or height grounds for a proposal up to 3.5 FSR and 10 storeys. Between 200 and 400 metres, the figures are 2.5 FSR and 6 storeys. That density still takes a rezoning, and a lot inside a transit oriented area is governed by those rules rather than the small scale multi unit rules. The two do not stack.

Sources: Transit Oriented Areas Provincial Policy Manual, Order in Council 678, 2023

What your title might say

Zoning is only half the answer. The provincial policy manual states that existing section 219 covenants are not affected by the small scale multi unit housing legislation, and that a valid statutory building scheme registered on title limiting a property to one dwelling unit takes precedence over the density the zoning permits. Order a title search on the PID before you price density into an offer.

There is a full post on what a covenant or building scheme does to your density.

Sources: SSMUH Provincial Policy Manual and Site Standards, Property Law Act, section 35

FAQ

Has Colwood adopted Bill 44?

Colwood's small scale multi unit housing bylaw, Bylaw 2091, reached third reading on 13 July 2026. Check with the City whether it has since been adopted. Until 2026 the City's position was that its existing zones, which permit a secondary suite and an accessory dwelling unit, did not need to change.

How many units will I be able to build in Colwood?

Once Bylaw 2091 is adopted, 3 units on a lot of 279 square metres or less, 4 on a lot from 280 to 4,050 square metres, and 6 on a lot over 281 square metres within 400 metres of a prescribed stop.

Where does the six unit tier apply in Colwood?

Only within 400 metres of a prescribed stop on Blink Route 95, on the Island Highway and Goldstream, which is the only qualifying route in Colwood.

Does my lot need to be on sewer?

Yes. Roughly 5,800 unsewered lots in Colwood are excluded, and a companion amendment would permit development only on sewer connected lots.

Development potential by municipality

Every Greater Victoria municipality adopted the provincial rules differently. These guides set out what each one actually permits.

Run your Colwood address through the free development potential assessment. It reads the zoning, the servicing and the rules that apply to your specific parcel, and tells you what is actually permitted.