R4-L zone in Penticton
Small-Scale Multi-Unit Residential: Large Lot. Small-scale multi-unit housing (single detached, suites, carriage houses, duplexes, townhouses and small apartments) allowing up to 4 units on larger urban serviced lots (s.10.1 purpose).
The rules
| Name | Small-Scale Multi-Unit Residential: Large Lot |
|---|---|
| Homes allowed | 4 dwelling units (any mix of single detached, secondary suite, carriage house, duplexes, townhouse, small apartment) |
| Floor space notes | No FAR in R4-L; size is controlled by 40% lot coverage, height and setbacks (s.10.1.2). Carriage house max floor area 135 m2, no decks/balconies/rooftop patios (s.8.2.3.10, 8.2.3.12). One secondary suite per dwelling unit (s.8.1.1). Amenity space 10 m2 per unit, 25% at ground level (s.10.1.4). Inside a Transit-Oriented Area, Table 4.2 (s.4.16) allows up to 2.5 FAR / 6 storeys (Area 1) or 1.5 FAR / 4 storeys (Area 2). |
| Height | 11 m (36 ft) · 3 above approved grade storeys |
| Height notes | Principal building 11.0 m and 3 storeys above approved grade; accessory 4.5 m (s.10.1.2.5). Carriage house 7.0 m / 2 storeys with lane access or on a double-fronting lot, otherwise 5.0 m / 1 storey (s.8.2.3.5). Height measured from natural or approved grade to top of flat roof or midpoint of a sloping roof (s.3 definition 'Height'). TOA override per s.4.16. |
| Lot coverage | 40% |
| Coverage notes | Max 40% (s.10.1.2.3). Lot coverage includes carports, covered patios > 23 m2 and decks > 0.6 m high (s.3 definition). Accessory buildings combined footprint max 75 m2 (s.10.1.2.10). |
| Setbacks | front 4.5 m (15 ft), side 1.5 m (5 ft), rear 6 m (20 ft), flank 3 m (10 ft) |
| Setback notes | Front 4.5 m (9.0 m on lots fronting Lakeshore Drive West); interior side 1.5 m (accessory 1.2 m); exterior side 3.0 m (accessory 1.2 m); rear 6.0 m (accessory 1.5 m) (s.10.1.2.6-9). Carriage house uses principal setbacks except rear 1.5 m, and may not be closer to the front than the principal dwelling (s.8.2.3.6, 8.2.3.8). Garage/carport facing the street 6.0 m to curb/sidewalk (s.4.2.7). Vehicle access from the lane where one exists (s.10.1.3.1). |
| Bonus density | Transit-Oriented Area override (s.4.16, Table 4.2): up to 6 storeys / 2.5 FAR (Area 1) or 4 storeys / 1.5 FAR (Area 2), no residential parking minimum. Energy-efficient wall/roof thickness exclusions at staff discretion (s.4.15). |
| Bylaw sections | s.10.1, 8.1, 8.2, 4.2.7, 4.15, 4.16, 3 (definitions) |
What you can use it for
Single detached dwellings (one or more)Secondary suiteCarriage houseDuplexes (side-by-side, back-to-back, stacked)TownhouseApartmentCongregate housingMajor and minor home occupationShort term rentalAccessory buildings
What BC law allows on these lots
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)3,887 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)173 lots
Our estimate per lot under BC's Bills 44 and 47, from lot size, transit distance and the urban boundary.
Example lots in R4-L
No addressed lots in this zone on the map.
Other zones in Penticton
Read from City of Penticton Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (adopted 2024-06-18; office consolidation 'Consolidated Package October 2026', most recent amendment included Bylaw 2026-35 effective 2026-10-20) ↗, checked 2026-10-23. Summaries are our reading of the bylaw: confirm with Penticton before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 26, 2026.