Vancouver Plans for 44,100 New Housing Units in 20 Years

City officials finalize zoning changes to guide growth through 2045.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:07pm

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The City of Vancouver, Washington is finalizing a plan that will guide growth through 2045 and allow for an estimated 44,100 new housing units over the next 20 years. The plan replaces the city's 17 existing residential zones with 10 new base districts that focus on different scales and types of development, including low-scale neighborhoods, medium-scale neighborhoods, mixed-use neighborhoods, a regional activity center, and an institutional-campus district.

Why it matters

Vancouver's new zoning plan aims to address the region's housing shortage by significantly increasing the number and density of residential units allowed across the city. This shift away from traditional single-family home zones is intended to create more diverse and affordable housing options for a growing population.

The details

The new zoning districts include: Low-scale neighborhoods (min. 8 units/acre, max. 45 ft), Medium-scale neighborhoods (min. 16 units/acre, max. 75 ft), Mixed-use neighborhoods (min. 32 units/acre, max. 110 ft), a Regional activity center (min. 64 units/acre, no max height), and an Institutional-campus district (no min/max). These changes are expected to accommodate an estimated 44,100 new housing units by 2045.

  • The City of Vancouver is finalizing the new zoning plan to guide growth through 2045.
  • The plan is expected to allow for 44,100 new housing units over the next 20 years.

The players

Rebecca Kennedy

The city's deputy director of community development.

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What they’re saying

“The plan Vancouver officials are finalizing to guide growth through 2045 doesn't use traditional residential zones, including the R-2 and R-4 zones that allowed for the development of large-lot, single-family homes in established neighborhoods like Southcliff.”

— Rebecca Kennedy, Deputy Director of Community Development

The takeaway

Vancouver's new zoning plan represents a significant shift away from traditional single-family home development towards more diverse and dense housing options. This change aims to address the region's housing shortage and provide more affordable living options for a growing population.