How many homes can I build in Abbotsford?
What BC's housing laws and Abbotsford's own zones allow on house lots, counted lot by lot from public data. To check one lot, find it on the map and open its card.
What BC law requires
Under BC's Bill 44 (2023), lots zoned for houses or duplexes inside the urban containment boundary must allow at least 3 homes on lots up to 280 m², 4 homes on larger lots, and 6 homes on lots of at least 281 m² near a frequent bus stop. Under Bill 47, land near SkyTrain stations and bus exchanges is a transit-oriented area where the city can't refuse taller buildings on height or density grounds alone (up to 20 storeys right next to a SkyTrain station).
The city's own zones can allow more than this. Lots in the Agricultural Land Reserve, outside the urban boundary, or on hazard land are treated differently.
Lots in Abbotsford by homes allowed
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)19,571 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)863 lots
Our estimate per lot from lot size, distance to frequent transit and SkyTrain, the urban boundary and the farmland reserve.
House lots by size
| Up to 280 m² (3,014 ft²) | 862 lots |
| 280–557 m² (3,014–6,000 ft²) | 4,140 lots |
| 557–1,000 m² (6,000–10,764 ft²) | 13,183 lots |
| Over 1,000 m² (10,764 ft²) | 2,876 lots |
Lot size decides the 3- versus 4-home threshold and, in most zones, how much floor space you can build.
What Abbotsford's zones allow
| Zone | Lots | Homes allowed (city bylaw) |
|---|---|---|
| SSMUH 2 | 13,642 | 3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2 (s.352.3.1); forms: single detached (up to 2 if lot width >=24 m) or duplex, plus secondary suites and a garden suite or coach house |
| SSMUH 1 | 3,210 | 3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2 (s.351.3.1); forms: single detached (up to 2 per lot), duplex, townhouse (3-4 units), plus garden suite or coach house and secondary suites |
| SSMUH 2-g | 1,773 | 3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2 (s.353.3.1); single detached (up to 2 if lot width >=24 m) or duplex plus suites |
| RS3 | 499 | Up to 4 under general SSMUH rule s.140.2.12 (3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2; lot must be inside the Urban Development Boundary, <4,050 m2, not heritage-protected, not in a Transit-Oriented Area) |
| RR | 304 | 1 single detached dwelling + 1 coach house OR 1 secondary suite (coach house only on lots >0.4 ha; max lesser of 90 m2 or 40% of house net floor area). Outside the Urban Development Boundary SSMUH does not apply. |
| RS7 | 292 | Up to 4 under general SSMUH rule s.140.2.12 (3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2; lot must be inside the Urban Development Boundary, <4,050 m2, not heritage-protected, not in a Transit-Oriented Area) |
| SSMUH 3 | 269 | 3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2 (s.354.3.1); single detached or duplex plus suites and garden suite/coach house |
| RSH | 169 | Up to 4 under general SSMUH rule s.140.2.12 (3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2; lot must be inside the Urban Development Boundary, <4,050 m2, not heritage-protected, not in a Transit-Oriented Area) |
| SR | 155 | Coach house or secondary suite (one per lot) plus house; SR is listed by the City as an SSMUH-eligible zone (up to 4 units inside the Urban Development Boundary under s.140.2.12). |
| SRH | 121 | 1 single detached dwelling + 1 coach house OR 1 secondary suite (coach house only on lots >0.4 ha; max lesser of 90 m2 or 40% of house net floor area). Outside the Urban Development Boundary SSMUH does not apply. |
| CR | 108 | 1 single detached dwelling + 1 coach house OR 1 secondary suite (coach house only on lots >0.4 ha; max lesser of 90 m2 or 40% of house net floor area). Outside the Urban Development Boundary SSMUH does not apply. |
| SSMUH 4 | 107 | 3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2 (s.355.3.1); single detached or duplex plus suites and garden suite/coach house |
| RSMH | 106 | 1 manufactured home (zone lists only manufactured home as principal use; s.140.2.12 SSMUH status not stated) |
| RS5 | 79 | Up to 4 under general SSMUH rule s.140.2.12 (3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2; lot must be inside the Urban Development Boundary, <4,050 m2, not heritage-protected, not in a Transit-Oriented Area) |
| RS1 | 56 | Up to 4 under general SSMUH rule s.140.2.12 (3 on lots <=280 m2, 4 on lots >280 m2; lot must be inside the Urban Development Boundary, <4,050 m2, not heritage-protected, not in a Transit-Oriented Area) |
Zoning changes in progress
- Zoning Bylaw amendment Bylaw No. 3725-2026 (ZBA-049) Council consideration 2026-05-26 (City Page 2026-05-21); adoption not verified
City-initiated text amendments clarifying regulations adopted with the 2025 OCP update (provisions not identified in the notice) plus rezoning of 21 lots to TH1, TH2, SSMUH 2 and RMM. source ↗ - Site-specific rezonings noticed July 2026 (e.g. Bylaws 3748-2026 RS3 to RMR, 3742-2026 I2 to RMM, 3564-2024 RS3/C3 to N101) Council consideration 2026-07-28
No citywide residential text changes; all site-specific. source ↗
Sources: BC Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act 2023 (Bill 44) and Bill 47; Abbotsford Zoning Bylaw, 2014 (Bylaw No. 2400-2014), as amended by Bylaw No. 3691-2025 (Zoning Bylaw Amendment - Regulations and Zones, adopted with the Abbotsforward 2050 OCP on 2025-12-16). The online consolidation at laws.abbotsford.ca shows section pages last modified 2025-07-15 and does not yet include Bylaw 3691-2025. ↗; ParcelMap BC; the city's open zoning data. Estimates only: confirm with Abbotsford before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.