Laneway House is generally popular in the west coast of Canada, especially in the Metro Vancouver area. It is a form of accessory dwelling unit in which a home is built within the backyard of an existing single-family home. Laneway Homes are designed to provide self-contained living spaces and in most cases are set back from the main house. The size of the laneway house can range from approximately 400 to 1000 square feet, allowing it to be used for a variety of purposes, including a one bedroom home, an in-law suite, work space or studio. Laneway houses usually have a separate entrance and complete amenities such as a kitchen, dining area, and full bathroom, allowing them to be rented out as a separate living space.
As more Canadians seek more affordable housing, laneway housing is becoming increasingly attractive for both homeowners and homebuyers who are looking to maximize the use of their yard. The trend is particularly popular in urban areas, such as Vancouver and other parts of British Columbia. While laneway houses can offer more affordable housing in these areas, local zoning laws may present a challenge.Before laneway housing can be implemented, homeowners must coordinate with local governments and, in some cases, get approval from city councils to ensure the project meets all zoning bylaws and regulations.
Laneway housing is an exciting new option that can bring both financial and livability benefits to homeowners, as well as providing an additional housing option for our cities. It is an important consideration for homebuyers and homeowners alike when looking to maximize the use of their backyards.These are typically smaller homes that are built in the backyards of existing homes. They are often used as rental units or additional living space for extended family members. They are considered a form of affordable housing due to their smaller size, economies of scale, and minimal impact to the existing neighborhood. Common features of laneway houses include kitchenettes, living areas, and one or two bedrooms. They are a popular choice in urban areas as they are smaller than larger detached homes, while still providing the necessary space and amenities a family may need.
Laneway houses are typically built into pre-existing lots, usually in the backyard and opening onto the back lane. Sometimes they are separate from the main house, but they are often attached to the side or the back of a home. Laneway houses differ from traditional homes in that they typically feature smaller floor plans, often bein one or two storeys, and offer increased density in city neighbourhoods where large-lot single family homes predominate. Regulations for laneway houses vary across Canada, with some municipalities actively encouraging them to create more housing options, while others discourage their development or make it extremely difficult to build them. Common features of laneway houses typically include small kitchen and bathroom spaces, and some also come equipped with it’s own laundry facilities and outdoor living areas.
The introduction of this form of housing was part of a program by Sam Sullivan as part of the EcoDensity movement to increase the compactness in pre-existing neighborhoods while retaining the single-family feel of the neighborhood. The idea was that the city should be denser, more efficient, and greener. The form of housing introduced was known as 'laneway housing', where small units are located in the backyard of private property and accessed via the attached laneway.
Laneway housing can provide additional housing in places where it is not feasible to build large complexes or condos. This form of housing is also less expensive to build, as there is no need for a separate driveway or large yard. Additionally, since the living arrangement is quite small, it has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of the neighbourhood, as each unit has a much smaller ecological footprint than a larger building.
Laneway housing also offers the benefits of providing a place for youth and new adults to live as they transition to the world of independence; this form of housing is flexible and can be easily adjusted as needed. Additionally, laneway housing can provide additional rental income to help supplement families' incomes.
Laneway housing is not without criticism. Some of the concerns include the potential for increased noise in the area, small size of living spaces, lack of privacy, and lack of sunlight. Additionally, this form of housing is often considered to be a form of “gentrification”, as it can cause property values to rise in the neighborhood and displace lower-income residents.
Overall, laneway housing can offer a viable alternative to large complexes or condos, providing an additional source of housing, rental income, and transitioning homes for youth and young adults. It is important that communities consider the potential drawbacks and ensure that any laneway housing is appropriately regulated and managed in order to ensure the best outcomes for everyone involved.
Most laneway houses are small, though public concern has been raised in some communities due to the impact that larger forms of this type of houses have no privacy or space for landscaping or other amenities. Generally, laneway houses are seen as suitable for one or two occupants and be no more than two stories tall. Cities may also set other regulations depending on the local context. These restrictions may consider factors such as lot size, fire safety, parking, sunlight, and many others. Common features of a laneway house may include a living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, roof deck, and a garage. Generally, they range from between 500 and 1,000 square feet, although larger versions up to 1,500 square feet are also not unheard of. Smaller laneway homes usually feature just one bedroom, with larger versions having two. Typically, the living area includes a combined living and dining area, a kitchen, a bathroom and a bedroom. Some may also include a den or additional storage. Design and size are largely determined by local codes and regulations.
In the case of Vancouver, the average laneway house is 550 square feet, usually 1½ storey’s, with one or two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen area. They often also include a living room or a small office/flex space. Most are designed to maximize the available on-site parking, and to work as a secondary suite for family or tenants. Prices will vary depending on the exact size and features, but generally start around $250,000 for a simple build and go up from there.
Typical rules require that the laneway home is built in the back half of a traditional lot in the space that is normally held in reserve for a garage. The footprint of the laneway home must not exceed the footprint of the existing main residence and it must be setback at least one metre from all traditional property line boundaries.
Additionally, typical rules also ensure that no more than one additional parking space is caused by the laneway home and that the design adheres to certain restrictions regarding height and setbacks. In some communities, building regulations insist that only certain building materials may be used if a laneway home is to be erected. Some areas also mandate that the laneway home must be independently serviced and not rely on the main house’s utilities, such as electricity, water, and sewage.
laneway housing is a type of housing was appearing in other dense Canadian cities, such as Toronto, until in 2006 staff reviewed the impact on services and safety, and made recommendations to protect existing amenities. Laneway housing involves converting existing laneway space into self-contained, energy-efficient dwellings. Laneway housing provides high quality living environments for a variety of people, such as new immigrants, young families, aging parents or artists. It provides affordable housing options and benefits the community as a whole by increasing a neighbourhood’s walkability and providing access to basic amenities such as grocery stores and recreation facilities. Additionally, it can positively impact the environment due to the green technologies being used in these developments, such as rainwater collection and green roofs.
Laneway housing is commonly found in alleyways, which are primarily located along the back of existing residential lots. It is a form of housing that includes a small dwelling unit, with its own entrance located in the rear of a residential lot. The dwellings are typically one to two storeys, with a one-bedroom unit (541 sq ft) on the main floor and a two-bedroom unit (803 sq ft) in the loft. Laneway housing is a form of secondary suite with the advantage of being separate from the main house, with its own access and privacy to tenants. This form of housing can increase the infill density of an existing neighbourhood, and provide more affordable rental housing options in established areas. When it comes to the impact of laneway housing, studies suggest that it can bring positive benefits to surrounding communities as it can reduce housing affordability in the area, provide a form of urban renewal and add aesthetic value to existing neighbourhoods. Additionally, laneway housing can improve access to amenities by increasing the number of people within walking distance to these services.
|
