RSM/S zone in Richmond
Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RSM/S). Small-scale multi-unit housing, with a density bonus for six-unit development to support affordable housing; sub-zones differ in subdivision standards (s.8.19.1).
The rules
| Name | Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RSM/S) |
|---|---|
| Homes allowed | 3 on lots <= 280 m2; 4 on larger lots; 6 on lots > 281 m2 within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop if the owner pays into the affordable housing reserve (s.5.15) or provides one affordable rental unit under a housing agreement (s.8.19.5.1-2). Secondary suites allowed (one per unit). |
| Floor space ratio | 0.6 + 80 m² on lots 0–464 m²; 0.3 + 219 m² on lots over 464 m² |
| Floor space notes | Values shown are for the maximum multi-unit form: FAR 0.6 on the first 464.5 m2 of lot area + 0.30 on the balance, plus 50 m2 of flex space per lot, raised to 80 m2 for 3+ units when at least two units have 2+ bedrooms with 10% bedroom glazing (s.8.19.5.3b, 8.19.5.4) - encoded with the 80 m2 in plus_m2. One house (or house + suite): 0.55 on the first 464.5 m2 + 0.30 on the balance + 40 m2 for parking only (s.8.19.5.3a). Min unit size 25 m2 (s.8.19.5.5). Not counted (s.4.3A): 10 m2 per unit for one interior staircase, unusable half-storey storage under 1.8 m, 10% for open covered areas, one accessory building under 10 m2, green building / Passive House allowances; ceiling over 5.0 m counts twice. Secondary suite (s.5.4): inside the dwelling, one per principal unit, min 33 m2 (single detached) or 25 m2 (SSMUH/town housing), max the lesser of 40% of the unit's floor area or 120 m2, not stratified; extra parking stall on listed arterial roads. |
| Height | 10 m (33 ft) · 2.5 storeys |
| Height notes | Principal buildings max 2 1/2 storeys and 10.0 m within the residential vertical lot width envelope; flat roof 7.5 m (s.8.19.8.1). SSMUH envelope (s.4.18.5): vertical at the side setback to 7.0 m then 45 degrees to the 10.0 m plane. Height measured in Area 'A' from 0.3 m above the highest abutting road crown, in Area 'B' from finished site grade (s.8.19.8.5). Accessory: <=10 m2 sheds 3.0 m pitched / 2.5 m flat; garages/carports/structures 5.0 m pitched / 4.0 m flat. For a single house (or house + suite) the s.4.18.2-4 envelope (9.0 m plane) applies instead. |
| Lot coverage | 45% |
| Coverage notes | Buildings max 45%; buildings + structures + non-porous surfaces max 70%; 20% live-plant landscaping (s.8.19.6). Max two buildings over 10 m2, one behind the other (s.8.19.12.2). |
| Setbacks | front 6 m (20 ft), side 1.2 m (4 ft), rear 6 m (20 ft), flank 3 m (10 ft) |
| Setback notes | Front 6.0 m (s.8.19.7.1). Interior side yard 2.0 m for lots 20.0 m+ wide, 1.8 m for 18.0-20.0 m, 1.2 m for lots under 18.0 m (value shown uses this sub-zone's minimum lot width). (s.8.19.7.2, Bylaw 10716 adopted 2025-12-08 removed the former 4.0 m side yard for SSMUH on 15 m+ lots.) Exterior side 3.0 m (s.8.19.7.3). Rear 6.0 m for multi-unit development; for one house (or house + suite) the greater of 6.0 m or 20%/25% of lot depth, max 10.7 m (s.8.19.7.4). Where a building > 10 m2, parking or access is within 6.0 m of the rear lot line, the rear yard is measured from its furthest point (s.8.19.7.5). Accessory buildings only in the rear yard. Lot: min width 9.0 m, depth 24.0 m (+2.0 m on corner lots) (s.8.19.9.3). |
| Bonus density | 6th-unit density bonus near prescribed bus stops tied to affordable housing reserve payment or one affordable rental unit (rent 10% below CMHC average) (s.8.19.5.2, 8.19.12.1, Bylaw 10760). Flex space 50 -> 80 m2 for family-sized units (s.8.19.5.4). |
| Bylaw sections | s.8.19.1-8.19.12, 4.3A, 4.18.5, 5.4, 5.15 |
What you can use it for
Small-scale multi-unit housing (single detached to 6 units)Secondary suiteBed and breakfast (lots with one unit)Boarding and lodgingCommunity care facility, minorHome businessResidential rental tenure anywhere
What BC law allows on these lots
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)1,447 lots
- 6 homes (near frequent transit)384 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)339 lots
Our estimate per lot under BC's Bills 44 and 47, from lot size, transit distance and the urban boundary.
Example lots in RSM/S
No addressed lots in this zone on the map.
Other zones in Richmond
RSM/LRAM1RSM/MRTL1RS1/ARAH2RD1RAL1RTL4RSM/XLRTL3RTM2RS1/ERTM3RTH1RTM1RTP4RS1/FRI1RS1/BRDARTH4RTH2RS1/GRTL2RI2RTH3RS1/DRD2RS1/KRS2/ARS2/BRTARCD
Read from Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 (adopted 2009-11-16; office consolidation Jul 29, 2026; residential sections amended to Bylaw 10760, 2026-06-08) ↗, checked 2026-10-21. Summaries are our reading of the bylaw: confirm with Richmond before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.