R5 zone in Surrey
Compact Residential Zone. Small-scale multi-unit housing (2 to 6 units) on compact, typically rear-lane lots of 291 m2 or larger.
3,932lots in this zone on the map
288 m²median lot size (3,100 ft²)
56–3,919 m²smallest to largest lot
11 mmaximum height (36 ft)
The rules
| Name | Compact 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. |
| Floor space ratio | 350 m² fixed (max 350 m²) |
| Floor space notes | Duplex: max 350 m2 including basements (44 m2 garage, not required in Frequent Bus Stop Areas). Single family 217 m2 excluding basements. Coach house/garden suite 35-75 m2 extra. Part 17 s.D. |
| Height | 11 m (36 ft) · 3 incl. basement (duplex) storeys |
| Height notes | Duplex 11 m / 9.3 m low-slope (12 m floodplain); house 9.5 m / 7.3 m (10.5 m floodplain). s.G. |
| Lot coverage | 60% |
| Coverage notes | Duplex 60% (Type I/II lots), 65% Type III; house 52% / 60%. s.E. |
| Setbacks | front 3.5 m (11 ft), side 1.2 m (4 ft), rear 6 m (20 ft), flank 2.4 m (8 ft) |
| Setback notes | Duplex values (special rules text says 6.5 m rear - inconsistent). Porch may reduce front to 2.0 m, flank to 1.2 m. Coach house rear 0.5, side 0, 5.0 m separation. s.F. |
| Bonus density | Subdivision 2.5 lots/ha base, 36 lots/ha with amenity contributions; Type I interior 291 m2/9.7 m/30 m. |
| Bylaw sections | Part 17; Schedule G |
What you can use it for
Single family dwellingDuplexSecondary suiteCoach houseGarden suiteShort-term rental (Part 4 B.36)
What BC law allows on these lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)1,925 lots
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)1,632 lots
- 6 homes (near frequent transit)359 lots
- Transit-oriented area (taller buildings)16 lots
Our estimate per lot under BC's Bills 44 and 47, from lot size, transit distance and the urban boundary.
Example lots in R5
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.