Multiplex Garages & Parking in Vancouver: What's Standard, What Costs Extra (2026)

Parking is one of those things buyers don't think about until they realize their next-door neighbour at the new multiplex got the only spot with the EV charger and they didn't. Here's how parking actually works in Vancouver multiplex buildings in 2026 — what's included, what's optional, and what to ask before you commit.

Most multiplex units come with one parking spot

In the brand-new multiplex stock across Vancouver and Burnaby, the typical setup is one parking spot per unit. That's the City of Vancouver's minimum requirement for new multiplex housing in most zones, and it's what developers usually deliver. Some larger fourplex and sixplex units in family-friendly East Side neighbourhoods include two spots; smaller two-bed plans sometimes include none.

Parking is almost always either a private garage attached to the unit (most common in duplex and triplex layouts) or an assigned space in a small underground or partially underground parkade (more common in fourplexes and sixplexes).

Private garage vs shared parkade: what changes for you

A private garage is great. Direct access to your unit, dry bag-to-kitchen carries on rainy days, room for bikes and storage, and the flexibility to install your own EV charger without coordinating with a strata. The trade-off: garages usually mean less private outdoor space at ground level — the building footprint is the same.

A shared parkade is the more common setup in larger multiplex buildings. Each owner gets an assigned space (usually deeded with the unit, sometimes leased separately). It's secure and weather-protected, but you'll walk a short way to your front door, and EV charger installation usually requires strata approval.

EV charging: what's actually rough-in vs what's installed

Since 2019, the City of Vancouver has required all new residential parking spaces to be "EV-ready" — meaning a 240V circuit roughed in for future charger installation. Most brand-new multiplex stock complies. Whether the actual charger is installed varies. (City of Vancouver EV-ready bylaw)

Three things to ask the developer:

• Is my parking spot pre-wired (rough-in) or does it have a working charger installed?
• If only roughed-in, what's the typical cost to install a Level 2 charger after closing? (Usually $800–$2,000 in 2026, depending on panel capacity.)
• Are common-area chargers shared across the building, and how is usage billed?

Visitor parking, bike storage, and the things people forget to ask

Brand-new multiplex buildings in Vancouver are required to provide some visitor parking — usually one space for the whole building. In larger stock that's often inadequate. Check the strata's visitor parking policy and whether on-street parking is permit-only in your neighbourhood (most of East Vancouver requires residential parking permits, $40/year per vehicle in 2026).

Other things buyers regularly forget to ask about:

• Bike storage — required by City bylaw, usually a secured locker or rack room. How many spaces per unit?
• Storage lockers — separate from parking, often deeded. Sometimes included, sometimes a $5,000–$15,000 add-on.
• Motorcycle parking — sometimes folded into one of your existing spaces, sometimes a separate visitor allocation.
• Larger vehicle clearance — if you drive a Tesla Model X or a full-size truck, double-check garage door height and stall length.

Buying a second parking spot: when it's worth it

In a few buildings, additional parking spots are sold separately to buyers who want them — usually $40,000–$70,000 in Vancouver in 2026. Worth it when: you're a two-vehicle household, the second space is in the same parkade (not offsite), and reselling later won't be a problem. Not worth it when: it's offsite, leased rather than deeded, or you're stretching to afford the unit itself.

Common questions

Do all Vancouver multiplex units come with parking?

Most do, but a few smaller two-bedroom plans in transit-oriented neighbourhoods are sold parking-free. Always confirm what's included in your unit — it's listed in the marketing materials and the disclosure statement.

Can I install an EV charger in my multiplex parking spot?

Yes, almost always — your spot will be pre-wired (EV-ready) under City bylaw. For a private garage, you can install whenever you like. For a parkade spot, you'll need strata approval and may share the building's electrical capacity, which the strata regulates.

What does additional parking cost in 2026?

In Vancouver, a second parking spot in a brand-new multiplex typically runs $40,000–$70,000 if available. Burnaby pricing tends to be a bit lower. Storage lockers are $5,000–$15,000 separately.

What this comes down to

One spot per unit is the standard. Garages are great for dry access and EV flexibility; shared parkades are more common in larger buildings. EV-ready wiring is now standard, but installed chargers vary. If you're a two-car household or drive a larger vehicle, ask the specific questions before you fall in love with the floor plan.

Need help comparing parking layouts across multiplex buildings? Browse our curated listings of brand-new multiplex homes across Vancouver and Burnaby on the properties page, or talk to a real person on our team who knows the buildings, the developers, and what's coming next.