West Van council votes reluctantly on province's housing density bylaw

West Vancouver council is moving forward reluctantly on changes mandated by the province that will increase housing density allowed on single-family residential lots.

The decision marks a significant shift for a municipality that has historically resisted intensification. Council will vote on adopting the provincial housing density bylaw, part of broader B.C. efforts to increase housing supply across the region.

The changes would allow property owners to add more housing units on single-family parcels, a move the municipality has viewed with caution. West Van's hesitation reflects broader concerns in affluent suburban communities about neighbourhood character and property values, though the province has made such density increases a priority to address the regional housing shortage.

This development comes as North Vancouver approved a rental development in July and scrapped a planned supportive housing project in early August—both decisions reflecting the challenging balance municipalities navigate between provincial housing mandates and local opposition.