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RT-5 zone in Vancouver

Two-Family Dwelling District (RT-5). Strongly encourage retention and renovation of character houses through extra floor area and units, while new development stays consistent with lot pattern and character (s.1.1).

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5,104lots in this zone on the map

374 m²median lot size (4,026 ft²)

52–22,520 m²smallest to largest lot

10.7 mmaximum height (35 ft)

The rules

Name	Two-Family Dwelling District (RT-5)
Homes allowed	Up to 74 units per hectare (incl. suites and lock-offs) for multiple dwelling and on sites >= 338 m2 or with a character house; otherwise 2 units (s.3.1.1.2, 3.2.1.4).
Floor space ratio	0.75
Floor space notes	Multiple dwelling 0.60, discretionary 0.75 (s.3.1.1.1); duplex 0.75 (s.3.2.1.2(a)); house replacing a demolished character house 0.50 (s.3.2.1.1); other uses 0.60 (s.3.2.1.2(b)). Character house retained: up to 0.75 addition / 0.85 infill (s.5.2).
Height	10.7 m (35 ft) · 3 (third partial) storeys
Height notes	10.7 m and 3 storeys (partial third storey); rear building 7.7 m and 2 storeys (s.3.1.2.3, 3.2.2.2, 3.1.2.10).
Lot coverage	45%
Coverage notes	45% all buildings; parking 30% (s.3.1.2.7, 3.2.2.6, 4.3.1). Building depth max 45% of site depth (35% for a house) (s.3.2.2.7).
Setbacks	front 7.3 m (24 ft), side 1.5 m (5 ft), rear 10.7 m (35 ft)
Setback notes	Side yard = 10% of site width where width <= 15.0 m, 1.5 m where width > 15.0 m (s.3.1.2.5). Rear 10.7 m where site depth <= 36.6 m, else 30% of depth; rear yard reduced by distance from rear property line to ultimate centre line of an abutting lane (s.3.1.2.6, 3.1.2.11).
Bonus density	Character house retention FSR relaxations to 0.75/0.85 (s.5.2).
Bylaw sections	s.1.1, 2.1, 3.1.1.1-3.1.1.2, 3.1.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 4.3.1, 5.1-5.2

What you can use it for

DuplexDuplex with secondary suiteSingle detached house (with/without suite)Laneway houseInfillMultiple dwelling (conditional)Multiple conversion dwellingPrincipal dwelling unit with lock-off unit

What BC law allows on these lots

Transit-oriented area (taller buildings)2,357 lots
6 homes (near frequent transit)1,731 lots
3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)753 lots
4 homes (lots over 280 m²)258 lots

Our estimate per lot under BC's Bills 44 and 47, from lot size, transit distance and the urban boundary.

Example lots in RT-5

No addressed lots in this zone on the map.

Other zones in Vancouver

R1-1 R3-3 RM-4 R3-2 RM-3A RT-2 R3-1 RT-8 RM-5B RM-5A RT-10 RM-8A RT-11 RT-7 RT-3 RM-7 RM-5 RM-3 RM-8 RM-1 FM-1 RM-6 RT-9 RM-9 RM-9A RM-12 RM-11 RM-2 RM-5D RM-10 RM-7A RT-4A RM-9B RM-5C RT-1 RT-4

Read from Zoning and Development By-law No. 3575 (district schedules consolidated to 2026-06; RT-1, RT-2, RT-4/4A, RT-8, RT-10, RM-2, RM-3, FM-1 headers read May 2026; RM-6 February 2026) ↗, checked 2026-10-21. Summaries are our reading of the bylaw: confirm with Vancouver before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.