How many homes can I build in White Rock?
What BC's housing laws and White Rock's own zones allow on house lots, counted lot by lot from public data. To check one lot, find it on the map and open its card.
What BC law requires
Under BC's Bill 44 (2023), lots zoned for houses or duplexes inside the urban containment boundary must allow at least 3 homes on lots up to 280 m², 4 homes on larger lots, and 6 homes on lots of at least 281 m² near a frequent bus stop. Under Bill 47, land near SkyTrain stations and bus exchanges is a transit-oriented area where the city can't refuse taller buildings on height or density grounds alone (up to 20 storeys right next to a SkyTrain station).
The city's own zones can allow more than this. Lots in the Agricultural Land Reserve, outside the urban boundary, or on hazard land are treated differently.
Lots in White Rock by homes allowed
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)3,000 lots
- 6 homes (near frequent transit)717 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)249 lots
Our estimate per lot from lot size, distance to frequent transit and SkyTrain, the urban boundary and the farmland reserve.
House lots by size
| Up to 280 m² (3,014 ft²) | 240 lots |
| 280–557 m² (3,014–6,000 ft²) | 1,674 lots |
| 557–1,000 m² (6,000–10,764 ft²) | 1,879 lots |
| Over 1,000 m² (10,764 ft²) | 192 lots |
Lot size decides the 3- versus 4-home threshold and, in most zones, how much floor space you can build.
What White Rock's zones allow
| Zone | Lots | Homes allowed (city bylaw) |
|---|---|---|
| RS-2 | 1,394 | 4 outside 400 m of a prescribed bus stop (lots >280 m2 and <4,050 m2); 6 within 400 m (lots >=281 m2); 3 on lots <280 m2 |
| RS-3 | 1,330 | 3 on lots up to 280 m2; 4 on lots >280 m2 and <4,050 m2; 6 within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop on lots >=281 m2 (s.6.3.5) |
| RS-1 | 1,065 | 4 outside 400 m of a prescribed bus stop (lots >280 m2 and <4,050 m2); 6 within 400 m (lots >=281 m2); 3 on lots <280 m2 |
| RI-1 | 146 | 3 on lots up to 280 m2; 4 on lots >280 m2; 6 within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop on lots >=281 m2 (s.6.4.5) |
| RE-2 | 21 | 4 on lots >280 m2 and <4,050 m2; 6 within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop (s.6.7.5); house-plex only on lots <= 4,050 m2 |
| RE-1 | 18 | 2 (one-unit residential plus a secondary suite and/or ADU per zone intent); lots are >= 0.5 ha so above the 4,050 m2 SSMUH threshold |
| RI-2 | 11 | 3 on lots up to 280 m2; 4 on lots >280 m2; 6 within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop on lots >=281 m2 (s.6.5.5) |
Zoning changes in progress
- Amendment No. 16, Bylaw No. 2574 (15931 Buena Vista Ave, RS-1 to RS-2) 1st-3rd readings scheduled 2026-03-30; not in the June 2026 consolidation's amendment table; adoption not confirmed
Site rezoning to allow a two-lot RS-2 subdivision. source ↗ - Amendment No. 18, Bylaw No. 2577 (CD-74, 15855/15869 Pacific Ave) 1st-3rd readings scheduled 2026-04-13; not in the June 2026 consolidation's amendment table; adoption not confirmed
P-3 to new CD-74 for a 47-unit, three-storey townhouse project. source ↗ - Amendment No. 19, Bylaw No. 2578 (CR-1 density benefit removal, Bill 16) 1st-3rd readings scheduled 2026-05-11; not listed in the June 2026 consolidation's amendment table; adoption not confirmed
Removes CR-1 density-benefit rules to meet Bill 16 (deadline 2026-06-30), plus housekeeping. source ↗
Sources: BC Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act 2023 (Bill 44) and Bill 47; White Rock Zoning Bylaw, 2024, No. 2506 (consolidated to June 2026, incl. Amendment No. 21, Bylaw 2585, adopted 2026-06-22) - replaced Zoning Bylaw 2012, No. 2000 on 2024-06-27 ↗; ParcelMap BC; the city's open zoning data. Estimates only: confirm with White Rock before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.