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RU1 zone in Lake Country
Small-Scale Multiple Housing. Up to four dwelling units with compatible secondary uses on medium-sized serviced urban lots (s.15.1.1).
The rules
| Name | Small-Scale Multiple Housing |
|---|---|
| Homes allowed | 4 (small-scale multiple housing: 2-4 units in any arrangement, incl. up to 2 suites); single dwelling form: house + 1 suite |
| Floor space notes | No FAR in RU1. Small-scale multiple housing means 2 to 4 dwelling units, attached or detached, each with its own exterior access (s.3.3 definition). With SSMUH, up to two secondary/accessory suites in total (s.15.1.7(a)(iv)); otherwise one suite per parcel. Accessory suite in an accessory building max the lesser of 90 m2 or 75% of the principal building floor area (s.10.8). Private open space 7.5 m2 per unit for SSMUH (s.15.1.7). SSMUH only on lots inside the urban containment boundary, on sewer and water, and 4,050 m2 or smaller (s.15.1.7). |
| Height | 11 m (36 ft) · 3 storeys |
| Height notes | Values are the maximum-unit form (small-scale multiple housing): lesser of 11 m or 3 storeys. Single dwelling housing: lesser of 9.5 m or 2.5 storeys. Accessory: 5.5 m, or lesser of 8 m / 2 storeys with an accessory suite (s.15.1.6). Height measured from building grade; single detached dwellings measured to road centreline on flat or down-sloping lots (s.3.3 definition). |
| Lot coverage | 50% |
| Coverage notes | SSMUH 50% buildings, 60% with driveways/parking; single dwelling 40% / 50% (s.15.1.6). |
| Setbacks | front 4 m (13 ft), side 1.5 m (5 ft), rear 3 m (10 ft), flank 4 m (13 ft) |
| Setback notes | Values are the SSMUH form: front 4 m (6.0 m to a front-entry garage/carport); side 1.5 m, flanking street 4.0 m (6.0 m to a garage accessed from it); rear 3 m; 3 m between principal buildings. Single dwelling form: front 4.5 m, side 2.0 m, flank 4.5 m, rear 6.0 m (4.5 m where lot is wider than deep with one 4.5 m side yard). Accessory rear 1.5 m, 3 m if it contains a suite (s.15.1.6). Lane access required where a rear lane exists (s.15.1.7). |
| Bonus density | Housing agreement (s.7.10) may allow smaller lot dimensions (s.15.1.7). |
| Bylaw sections | s.15.1.1-15.1.7, 10.7, 10.8, 3.3 |
What you can use it for
Single dwelling housingSmall-scale multiple housingGroup home, minorSecondary suiteAccessory suiteBed and breakfast homeCare centre, minorHome occupationShort term vacation rentalBackyard chickens
What BC law allows on these lots
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)2,404 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)136 lots
Our estimate per lot under BC's Bills 44 and 47, from lot size, transit distance and the urban boundary.
Example lots in RU1
No addressed lots in this zone on the map.
Other zones in Lake Country
Read from District of Lake Country Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated version; cover says 'includes amendments as of June 2, 2026', page headers 'CONSOLIDATED 2026-08-18'; the amendment table runs to Bylaw 1301 adopted 2026-09-22). Bill 44 rewrite: Bylaw 1238, 2024. ↗, checked 2026-10-23. Summaries are our reading of the bylaw: confirm with Lake Country before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.