Victoria approves Missing Middle initiative

Six homes per lot are now legal by right, 12 on corner lots

Victoria has been considering a Missing Middle Housing Initiative since 2019. This would make six-plexes legal on lots where previously only single-family homes were allowed, and 12 townhomes on corner lots.

In September last year, after 12 hours of public hearings, council voted 5-4 to refer the decision to the next council, after the October municipal elections.

Last month, on January 26, the new council approved it by a 6-3 vote.

Links:

• Missing Middle Housing Initiative website from the city of Victoria. Fact Sheet. Information Boards.

• Toronto and Vancouver talk about ‘missing middle’ housing. Victoria is poised to make it happen. Globe editorial, August 2022.

• Next Victoria council to decide fate of 'missing middle' housing initiative. Andrew Duffy in the Victoria Times-Colonist, September 9, 2022.

• Why does 'missing middle' housing make people so angry? Andrew Duffy, January 15, 2023. Includes comments by Luke Mari of Aryze.

• Victoria council adopts divisive missing middle housing program. Andrew Duffy, January 27, 2023.

• Twitter thread by Shannon Waters during the vote.