As we turn the page on 2024, it's time to take a closer look at the building permits issued throughout the City of Chilliwack. This year has been another chapter in the city's evolving growth story, marked by significant shifts in housing trends, notable commercial investments, and changing development patterns. With the province's ambitious housing targets now in full swing, it's more important than ever to understand how Chilliwack is adapting to rising density demands and the realities of limited land availability.
One of the most notable trends in 2024 was the steady climb in multi-family housing permits. A total of seven permits were issued for new apartment buildings, resulting in 392 new units and a combined value of $82.9 million. This figure is comfortably above the seven-year average of 369 units, making it the second-highest year for multi-family housing since 2018, trailing only 2022, when permits for 511 units were issued.
January: 45754 Wellington Ave – Four-storey, 54-unit purpose-built rental by Whitetail Homes with studio, 1- & 2-bedroom apartments, secure parkade, storage, and outdoor amenity space. Completion expected Spring 2025. ($9.95 million)
February: 9335 Corbould St – Six-storey, 59-unit modern apartment with 45 small units, secure parkade, in-unit storage, landscaped grounds, and upgraded urban frontage with sidewalks, curbs, and LED streetlights. ($7 million)
March & April: 45551 Knight Rd – Buildings 2 and 3 of Vantage Apartments: Two six-storey, 59-unit residential buildings by Diverse Properties with modern designs and shared amenities, located behind Chilliwack SmartCentre. ($11.2 million each)
May: 45412 Chehalis Dr – The Cedar Building: A six-storey, 55-unit addition to Elim Village Garrison Crossing, part of the multi-phased seniors living community that promotes an active, healthy lifestyle in a scenic, award-winning setting. ($22.8 million)
June: 9298 Young Rd – Five-storey, mixed-use building with ground-floor commercial space, 32 apartments, 3 townhouses, and a rooftop common area, completing the District 1881 revitalization. ($6.05 million)
October: 9284 Hazel St – Braxton: A four-storey, 71-unit purpose-built rental by Ratzlaff & Co, offering one- and two-bedroom apartments with a focus on community, safety, and alternative transportation near downtown Chilliwack. ($14.7 million)
This growth in multi-family housing reflects a broader trend across the Lower Mainland, as cities adapt to land scarcity and the push for higher-density housing options. Apartments are becoming the go-to solution for meeting housing demand, but they can't be the only solution.
While apartments are rising, the story for duplexes and townhouses tells a different tale. In 2024, only one duplex permit was issued—this is on top of one in 2023 and none in 2020. Townhouses also saw a dramatic slowdown, hitting a seven-year low with only 20 units approved.
This decline raises some important questions. If Chilliwack is going to meet the province's housing targets, multi-family housing construction would need to double unless more duplexes and townhouses are built. A well-rounded housing strategy that includes a stronger focus on "missing middle" housing—like duplexes, triplexes, and townhouses—could help diversify the housing stock and ease the pressure on the apartment sector.
Chilliwack's growth in 2024 wasn't just limited to housing. The city also saw significant investments in institutional, commercial, and industrial projects, highlighting a balanced approach to development.
The Red Bull investment in particular signals Chilliwack's growing appeal for large-scale industrial and commercial projects, which could have long-term impacts on local employment and economic growth.
In total, 579 permits were issued in 2024, including 288 residential building permits for 580 units, with a total construction value of $314 million. This marks an increase from 2023, which saw 681 permits issued, including 326 residential permits for 573 units, valued at $274.95 million.
However, 2021 remains the standout year, with 1,072 permits issued, including 670 residential permits for 930 dwelling units, totaling $347 million. That record-setting pace even exceeded the province's current housing targets, proving that Chilliwack has the capacity for rapid growth. Of course, economic conditions were very different then—lower interest rates, lower building costs, and a more predictable market climate. Today's challenges require more strategic and diversified planning.
As we step into 2025, it's clear that Chilliwack must adopt a more balanced housing strategy to keep up with provincial housing mandates. Apartments have led the charge, but they're just one piece of the puzzle. The BC Provincial Government's new zoning laws for Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) are designed to encourage more duplexes, triplexes, and townhouses, offering a chance to fill in the gaps in Chilliwack's housing landscape.
It will be important to watch if these new zoning changes begin to translate into more duplexes, secondary suites, and other forms of gentle density. Will builders start to take advantage of these more flexible rules? Will homeowners add secondary suites to their properties or consider small-scale developments on larger lots?
We're only six months into this housing mandate, and the first official progress reports are due soon. How the provincial government responds to Chilliwack's progress—and that of other cities—will offer valuable insight into how achievable these targets really are. Will the province push for more aggressive changes, or will they support cities in finding local solutions?
Chilliwack's success will hinge on a diverse and strategic approach to growth, one that blends apartments, duplexes, townhouses, and other housing types. This mixed strategy isn't just necessary to meet housing targets—it's essential for responsible and sustainable growth that supports the entire community.
2025 will be a pivotal year. Whether Chilliwack can adapt and continue building a variety of housing options will be key to how the city grows moving forward.
