R1 zone in Burnaby
Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing District. To support a range of primarily ground-oriented housing while providing opportunities for limited neighbourhood-serving commercial uses (s.1.1.1).
The rules
| Name | Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing District |
|---|---|
| Homes allowed | Up to 6 (incl. secondary suites) on lots >= 281 m2 in a Frequent Transit Network Area; otherwise up to 4 on lots >= 281 m2; rowhouse lots (<= 280 m2) up to 3 |
| Floor space notes | No floor area ratio or maximum gross floor area in R1; building size is controlled by lot coverage, height, setbacks and building separation (s.1.1.5). Part 4 s.3.1.1 lists gross floor area exclusions for R1/A1 (unenclosed exterior access, crawl spaces, attics <= 1.2 m clear height, balconies/decks, bay windows, etc.). Minimum unit sizes (Part 4 s.3.2.2.1): suite 32.52 m2, studio 37, 1-bed 56, 2-bed 90, 3-bed 111, 4-bed 125 m2. |
| Height | 10 m (33 ft) · 3 (front building, incl. basement/cellar); rear building 2 storeys |
| Height notes | s.1.1.5 table: front principal building 10 m (sloping roof) / 9.5 m (flat roof), 3 storeys for 3-6 unit and rowhouse forms, 2.5 storeys for 1-2 unit form; rear principal building 7.5 m sloping / 7.0 m flat, 2 storeys; accessory building 4.0 m, 1 storey. Storeys include basement or cellar (s.1.1.5.2(1)). Height measured in metres in R1 (Part 4 s.2.2.1). |
| Lot coverage | 45% |
| Coverage notes | Value shown is the maximum-unit form (5-6 units, Frequent Transit Network Area only): 45%, min 30% permeable. 3-4 units: 40% (min 40% permeable). 1-2 units: 40% on lots < 567 m2, 30% on lots > 567 m2 (min 40% permeable). Rowhouse: 55% (min 30% permeable). s.1.1.5. Column mapping of the PDF table cross-checked against the City's R1 summary sheet. |
| Setbacks | front 4 m (13 ft), side 1.2 m (4 ft), rear 3 m (10 ft), flank 3 m (10 ft) |
| Setback notes | s.1.1.5 table (small-scale multi-unit forms): front street yard 4.0 m (rowhouse 3.0 m); flanking street yard 3.0 m; lane yard 1.5 m; interior rear yard 3.0 m for principal buildings, 1.5 m for accessory; interior side yard 1.2 m (0 m for rowhouse units sharing a party wall, s.1.1.5.3). Building separation: 2.4 m between front principals and between rear principals, 6.0 m between front and rear principals, 2.4 m between all other buildings (s.1.1.5.4). |
| Bonus density | No density bonus. Unit count rises to 6 within a Frequent Transit Network Area (BurnabyMap layer 'Frequent Transit Network Areas (R1 SSMUH)'). Conditions: lots with 1-3 units need at least one 3+ bedroom unit, lots with 4-6 units at least two (s.1.1.3(1)); each primary unit needs a private outdoor space min 2.0 m wide and 10.0 m2 (s.1.1.3(3)); units more than 45 m from a street need sprinklers (s.1.1.5.6). Heritage-register lots may get relief via covenant (s.1.1.6). |
| Bylaw sections | Part 3 s.1.1.1-1.1.6 (1.1.3 conditions, 1.1.4 subdivision, 1.1.5 built form, 1.1.5.1-1.1.5.6); Part 4 s.2.2.1, 3.1.1, 3.2.2 |
What you can use it for
Small-scale multi-unit housingRowhouse dwellingsGroup homeSupportive housingChild care facility (max 25 children, corner lot, new standalone building)Boarding useHome-based child care facilityHome occupationSecondary suitesShort-term rentalUrban agricultureOther accessory buildings, structures and uses
What BC law allows on these lots
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)16,411 lots
- 6 homes (near frequent transit)12,200 lots
- Transit-oriented area (taller buildings)5,932 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)817 lots
Our estimate per lot under BC's Bills 44 and 47, from lot size, transit distance and the urban boundary.
Example lots in R1
No addressed lots in this zone on the map.
Other zones in Burnaby
Read from Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Bylaw No. 14815 (adopted 2026-06-09, in force 2026-07-01; unofficial consolidation posted 2026-07, no consolidation date stated). Replaces Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 1965 (No. 4742). ↗, checked 2026-10-21. Summaries are our reading of the bylaw: confirm with Burnaby before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.