Condo, townhouse or house in North Vancouver: which one fits you?
Checked 4 October 2026 · next review January 2027In the City of North Vancouver, two in three homes are apartments and about one in ten is a detached house. In the District it is the other way round: about half of all homes are detached houses. Condos and most townhouses come with a strata, its rules and its fees; a house comes with a lot, its upkeep and what the municipality lets you build on it.
Strata rules, zoning and tax thresholds change. Everything below is subject to change. Ask the strata for its documents, and call the City or the District with the exact address, before you rely on it.
| City of North Vancouver | 604-985-7761 · info@cnv.org · 141 West 14th Street |
| District of North Vancouver | 604-990-2311 · infoweb@dnv.org · 355 West Queens Road |
| North Vancouver School District (SD44) | 604-903-3444 |
| Median asking price | |
|---|---|
| Condo | … |
| Townhouse | … |
| House | … |
| All homes for sale | … |
Asking prices of homes listed for sale on MLS® right now, updated each time the page loads. Asking prices are not sale prices.
What North Vancouver is built of
| Occupied homes, 2021 Census | City of North Vancouver | District of North Vancouver |
|---|---|---|
| Detached houses | 2,915 (11%) | 16,115 (49%) |
| Row houses | 2,150 (8%) | 2,895 (9%) |
| Apartments in a duplex | 3,100 (11%) | 5,850 (18%) |
| Apartments under 5 storeys | 10,395 (38%) | 4,445 (14%) |
| Apartments 5 storeys and up | 7,785 (29%) | 2,865 (9%) |
| All occupied homes | 27,295 | 32,700 |
Statistics Canada counts. Semi-detached and other types make up the rest. Shares are rounded.
Side by side
| What decides it | Condo | Townhouse | House |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strata | Yes | Usually yes | Usually no |
| Renting it out | A strata cannot ban or limit long-term rentals since 24 November 2022. It can limit stays under 90 days | Same as a condo, if it is in a strata | Your choice, subject to municipal rules |
| Age rules | Only 55-plus bylaws are allowed | Same, if in a strata | None |
| Big repairs | Planned in the strata’s depreciation report, required every 5 years for stratas of 5 or more lots | Same, if in a strata of 5 or more lots | Yours to plan and pay |
| What you can read before buying | Form B: fees, reserve fund, levies, insurance summary, depreciation report. At most $35 plus 25 cents a page | Same, if in a strata | Permit history, inspection, and any oil tank record |
| Insurance gap | You can be charged the strata’s deductible for a loss that starts in your unit | Same, if in a strata | Your own policy covers the building |
| Building more on it | No | No | District: a house, suite and coach house on most single-family lots since June 2024. City: zoning changed June 2025, with more changes still before Council |
A townhouse is not always in a strata; some are freehold. Check the title before you assume either.
The same on all three
- Property tax at the City’s or the District’s rate, with the Home Owner Grant if it is your home. For 2026 the grant starts to fall on homes assessed over $2,075,000.
- The speculation and vacancy tax declaration, every year by 31 March.
- The 3-business-day home buyer rescission period on a resale.
Which one fits you
A condo may suit you if
You want the lowest price of entry, little upkeep and, in the City, the most choice. Read the depreciation report and the insurance summary before you remove subjects.
A townhouse may suit you if
You want more room and your own door at a price below a house. Most are in a strata, so the same documents matter.
A house may suit you if
You want land and control. Budget for upkeep, check the permit history and oil tank records, and ask the City or District what you could add on the lot.
This page is general information, not advice on a particular property. Ask the strata for Form B, and call the City of North Vancouver on 604-985-7761 or the District of North Vancouver on 604-990-2311 with the exact address before you rely on it.
- Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile, City and District of North Vancouver. Checked 4 October 2026.
- Province of British Columbia, Short-term rental bylaws. Checked 4 October 2026.
- Province of British Columbia, Age restriction bylaws. Checked 4 October 2026.
- Province of British Columbia, Depreciation report requirements. Checked 4 October 2026.
- Province of British Columbia, Form B information certificate. Checked 4 October 2026.
- Province of British Columbia, Strata owner and tenant insurance. Checked 4 October 2026.
- Province of British Columbia, Home owner grant. Checked 4 October 2026.
- BC Financial Services Authority, Home buyer rescission period. Checked 4 October 2026.
- District of North Vancouver, New provincial housing legislation. Checked 4 October 2026.
- City of North Vancouver, Small-scale housing changes. Checked 4 October 2026.
- Province of British Columbia, Speculation and vacancy tax. Checked 4 October 2026.