Build a Townhouse
Townhouses deliver family-oriented rental housing with premium rents and exceptional tenant retention
Starting From
$864,000
$160,000 per unit - Fixed price, turnkey delivery
5
Units
$10,000+
Monthly Income
6
Month Build
5%
Target Cap Rate
5
Rental Units
4,000
Total Sq Ft
1-3 BR Mix
Unit Mix Options
As-of-Right
Zoning Status
Why Build a Townhouse?
Row house with 4-6 attached units, each with own entrance
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Premium Family Market Rents
Ground-level entries, private yards/patios, and larger floor plans command 15-25% rent premiums over comparable apartment units in the same market.
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Exceptional Tenant Retention
Family tenants with school-age children typically stay 3-5+ years, dramatically reducing vacancy and turnover costs compared to apartment buildings.
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Lower Management Intensity
Individual entries reduce common area maintenance. Tenants often maintain their own outdoor spaces and treat units like owned homes.
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Suburban Zoning Compatibility
Row housing is often the highest-density product permitted and accepted in suburban residential zones transitioning to urban forms.
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Flexible Site Configuration
Linear building footprint adapts well to various lot shapes, including corner lots and sites where rectangular apartment footprints don't fit.
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Individual Utility Metering
Each unit can have fully separate utilities, eliminating common area costs and simplifying expense allocation.
Things to Consider
Important factors before you build.
Higher Per-Unit Construction Cost
More exterior wall surface area per unit increases construction costs compared to stacked apartment configurations.
Lower Unit Density
Townhouses yield fewer units per lot than stacked buildings, which may impact returns on expensive land.
End Unit Setback Requirements
End units require side setbacks that interior units don't, consuming additional lot width and potentially limiting unit count.
Parking Expectations
Family tenants typically expect dedicated parking (garages or assigned spots), adding to construction costs and site requirements.
Longer Lease-Up Period
Targeting the family market means fewer potential tenants than broad apartment marketing, potentially extending initial lease-up timeline.
CMHC
Pre-Approved CMHC Design Available
This building type has CMHC-equivalent designs ready to build, potentially qualifying for faster approvals and enhanced financing through CMHC MLI Select.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a townhouse and a rowhouse?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Technically, 'rowhouse' is a broader term describing any attached housing in a row, while 'townhouse' traditionally refers to a specific style often 2-3 storeys with individual entries. For development purposes, both describe the same building type: attached multi-unit housing where each unit has its own ground-level entrance and typically spans multiple floors.
How many units can I build in a townhouse row?
Most zoning bylaws allow 4-6 units in a row, with some jurisdictions permitting up to 8. The practical limit depends on lot dimensions, required setbacks, fire code requirements for unit separation, and neighborhood context. In HRM's ER-3 zones, you can build up to 8 units per lot, making longer townhouse rows possible on appropriate sites.
Why do townhouses cost more per unit than apartments?
Townhouses have more exterior wall surface area per unit compared to stacked apartments where units share party walls on multiple sides. Each townhouse unit typically has an exterior wall on two sides plus roof exposure, increasing insulation, siding, and window costs. However, this premium is often offset by higher rents and lower turnover costs.
What setbacks apply to townhouse end units?
End units require side yard setbacks that interior units don't need since interior units share party walls. In HRM, side setbacks typically range from 1.2m to 3m depending on the zone and building height. This means a 5-unit townhouse row needs more total lot width than 5 times the individual unit width. Always verify setback requirements for your specific zone.
Are townhouses good for the rental market or just for-sale housing?
Townhouses excel in the rental market, particularly for families. They offer the ground-oriented living, private outdoor space, and home-like feel that families desire but often cannot afford to purchase. Rental townhouses command premium rents and experience significantly lower turnover than apartments, as families with school-age children prefer stability. This makes them excellent long-term investment properties.
Build a Townhouse By Location
Explore Townhouse development opportunities across Nova Scotia. Each location page includes local rental data, zoning details, and a personalized feasibility snapshot.
Bedford & Sackville
Bedford South
Clayton Park
Cole Harbour
Dartmouth
Downtown Dartmouth
Halifax
Halifax Regional Municipality
Larry Uteck
North Dartmouth
North End Halifax
Sackville
South End Halifax
West End Halifax
Amherst
Annapolis Royal
Antigonish
Berwick
Bridgewater
Canning
Canso
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Chester
Clark's Harbour
Digby
Glace Bay
Greenwood
Hantsport
Kentville
Kingston
Lawrencetown (Annapolis County)
Liverpool
Lockeport
Louisbourg
Lunenburg
Mahone Bay
Middleton
Mulgrave
Municipality of East Hants
Municipality of Pictou County
Municipality of the County of Annapolis
Municipality of the County of Antigonish
Municipality of the County of Colchester
Municipality of the County of Cumberland
Municipality of the County of Inverness
Municipality of the County of Kings
Municipality of the County of Richmond
Municipality of the County of Victoria
Municipality of the District of Argyle
Municipality of the District of Barrington
Municipality of the District of Chester
Municipality of the District of Clare
Municipality of the District of Digby
Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
Municipality of the District of Shelburne
Municipality of the District of St. Mary's
Municipality of the District of Yarmouth
New Glasgow
New Waterford
North Sydney
Oxford
Parrsboro
Pictou
Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia
Port Williams
Region of Queens Municipality
Shelburne
Springhill
Stellarton
Stewiacke
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Tatamagouche
Trenton
Truro
West Hants Regional Municipality
Westville
Windsor
Wolfville
Yarmouth
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