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Burnaby Laneway HouseA single-family lot is not that single anymore.
See what you can build on your lot.
Smallworks designs and builds laneway houses in Burnabyto bring families closer together on the properties they already own.
Adding a Laneway House to Your Property
Property value is the obvious benefit, but it is not the only one. A well-designed secondary dwelling gives your family options: a place for parents who want to stay close, a home for an adult child navigating Vancouver's housing market, or a rental unit that offsets your mortgage.
Smallworks builds homes that complement rather than compete with your primary residence. The result is a property that works harder, looks better, and adapts to your family's needs over time.
Every Smallworks laneway house is designed for its specific lot and the family behind it. In Burnaby, that means builds ranging from 800 to 1500 ft², with one or two units, and finishes that integrate with the existing home and neighbourhood.
How big can a laneway house be in Burnaby?
Laneway houses in Burnaby (referred to as “rear principal residences”) are typically allowed up to 1,500 sq ft of living space, depending on your lot size and zoning conditions.
The exact size is influenced by:
- Lot width and depth
- Required setbacks from property lines and the main house
- Height limits and site coverage rules
In practice, most laneway homes fall between 900 and 1,300 sq ft, which is enough to accommodate full family living—often including 2–3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and generous living spaces.
How much does it cost to build a laneway house in Burnaby?
The complete cost to build a laneway house in Burnaby typically ranges from $550,000 to $750,000+, depending on size, design, and site conditions.
Key factors that affect cost:
- Size and layout of the home
- Site servicing (utilities, excavation, slope)
- Interior finish quality
- Design, permit and consultant fees
For a well-designed, turnkey laneway home, most homeowners should expect a realistic starting point around $550,000–$650,000.
The goal isn’t just to build more space—it’s to create a long-term asset. Learn more about a laneway home project budget breakdown.
What to Know About Burnaby’s New R1 SSMUH Zone
Burnaby made it possible for homeowners to build laneway houses on their property under the Housing Choices program, which was in effect for under a year until summer 2024. Today, most residential lots in Burnaby are in the R1 Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) District.
This zone was introduced as a complete restructuring of residential zoning in response to provincial legislation. Rear dwelling units are now permitted on virtually all single-family lots across Burnaby, with dramatically increased flexibility compared to the original laneway house rules. These accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are a cost effective, versatile solution to housing in Burnaby that preserves neighbourhoods.
How can I learn more about laneway homes?
The best way to understand laneway homes is to see how they actually work on real lots, with real families.
If you’re just starting to explore, we’ve put together a practical resource that walks you through:
- What you can build on your property under Burnaby zoning
- Real examples of how families are using laneway homes
- Typical costs and what drives them
- How to think about your lot as a long-term housing strategy
Download the Burnaby Laneway House Guide: Here
