R3 zone in Surrey
Urban Residential Zone. Small-scale multi-unit housing for 2 to 6 units on urban lots typically 560 m2 or larger.
61,215lots in this zone on the map
677 m²median lot size (7,287 ft²)
51–207,029 m²smallest to largest lot
9 mmaximum height (30 ft)
The rules
| Name | Urban Residential Zone |
|---|---|
| Homes allowed | 2 on lots >=4,050 m2; on lots 280-4,050 m2: 4 (house or duplex, with suite/coach house/garden suite), 6 on eligible lots in Frequent Bus Stop Areas, 2 inside Transit-Oriented Areas; lots <280 m2: 3 (2 in TOA). Heritage-protected or unserviced lots: 2. R3 also permits a houseplex. |
| Floor space ratio | 1 (max 600 m²) on lots 0–560 m²; 0.6 + 224 m² (max 600 m²) on lots over 560 m² |
| Floor space notes | Houseplex (max-unit form): 1.0 on first 560 m2 + 0.60 on remainder, basements excluded, max 600 m2 excl. basements, min 22 m2 garage/carport per unit (corrected by June 2024 memo), min ground floor 84 m2. Houseplex minimum building width requirement removed by Bylaw 22077 (2026-07-13, CR R128). Duplex: same rates incl. basements, max 560 m2. Single family 0.60/0.35 max 465 m2. Coach house/garden suite 35-75 m2 (120 m2 max). Part 15 s.D.2-D.4. |
| Height | 9 m (30 ft) · 3 incl. basement (houseplex) storeys |
| Height notes | Houseplex 9 m sloped / 7.3 m low-slope (12 m floodplain); duplex 3 storeys up to 11 m (9.3 m low-slope); single family 9 m / 7.3 m (10 m floodplain); coach house 7.0 m (peak 8.3 m). s.G. |
| Lot coverage | 60% on lots 0–653 m²; 58% on lots 653–746 m²; 56% on lots 746–839 m²; 54% on lots 839–932 m²; 52% on lots 932–1,025 m²; 50% on lots 1,025–1,118 m²; 48% on lots 1,118–1,211 m²; 46% on lots 1,211–1,262 m²; 35% on lots over 1,262 m² |
| Coverage notes | Houseplex 60% -> 35%; duplex 50% -> 35%; house 40% -> 25%; house with coach house/garden suite 50% -> 30%. Thresholds assumed 560/1,262 m2 as in other SSMUH zones. Bylaw text: max % on lots <=560 m2, 'reduced by 2% for each 93 m2' of lot area above 560 m2, down to the floor; tiers here are that rule stepped per full 93 m2 (step interpretation is ours); above 1,262 m2 the stated floor applies, which can be a jump. s.E. |
| Setbacks | side 1.2 m (4 ft), rear 7.5 m (25 ft), flank 2.4 m (8 ft) |
| Setback notes | Houseplex front shown as 3.5 m with a lane condition in the text we could read (unclear) - left null. Duplex front 6.0 m; single family front 6.5, rear 7.5, side 1.8, flank 3.6. Coach house rear/side 1.2, flank 2.4; separation 5.0 m. s.F.1. |
| Bonus density | Subdivision 2.5 lots/ha base, 14.8 lots/ha with Schedule G amenity contributions. |
| Bylaw sections | Part 15; Schedule G |
What you can use it for
Single family dwellingDuplexSecondary suiteCoach houseGarden suiteShort-term rental (Part 4 B.36)Houseplex
What BC law allows on these lots
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)34,384 lots
- 6 homes (near frequent transit)20,778 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)3,675 lots
- Transit-oriented area (taller buildings)1,981 lots
Our estimate per lot under BC's Bills 44 and 47, from lot size, transit distance and the urban boundary.
Example lots in R3
No addressed lots in this zone on the map.
Other zones in Surrey
Read from Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000 (consolidated to 2026-09-21, last amendment By-law 22120) ↗, checked 2026-10-21. Summaries are our reading of the bylaw: confirm with Surrey before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.