---
title: "R1 zone in Burnaby: Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing District"
place: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/burnaby
zone: R1
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw 2026 (Bylaw No. 14815), consolidated version without schedules
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/zoning/r1/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/zoning/r1.json"
---

# R1 zone in Burnaby: Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing District

Supports mostly ground-oriented housing (single-family, duplex, multiplex, rowhouse) with limited neighbourhood-serving commercial uses.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Supports mostly ground-oriented housing (single-family, duplex, multiplex, rowhouse) with limited neighbourhood-serving commercial uses.
- **Main uses:** Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing; Rowhouse Dwellings; Group Home; Supportive Housing; Child Care Facility
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Boarding Use; Home-Based Child Care Facility; Home Occupation; Secondary Suites; Short-Term Rental; Urban Agriculture; Other Accessory Buildings, Structures, and Uses (These are listed as accessory uses.)
- **Minimum lot area:** 281 m² for small-scale multi-unit housing (4 to 6 units); rowhouse lots have a maximum of 280 m² instead
- **Minimum lot width:** Rowhouse: interior lot 5 m (6.2 m for end unit lots); corner lot with flanking street 8 m; corner lot with flanking lane 6.2 m. Small-scale multi-unit: 10 m
- **Maximum lot coverage:** Rowhouse 55%; 1 to 2 units 30% on lots over 567 m² and 40% on lots under 567 m²; 3 to 4 units 40%; 5 to 6 units (Frequent Transit Network Area only) 45%
- **Maximum density:** Rowhouse: 1 to 3 dwelling units; small-scale multi-unit: 1 to 2, 3 to 4, or 5 to 6 units (5 to 6 only in the Frequent Transit Network Area); counts include secondary suites
- **Maximum height:** Front principal buildings: 10 m sloping roof or 9.5 m flat roof; 3 storeys (rowhouse), 2.5 storeys (1 to 2 units), 3 storeys (3 to 6 units). Rear principal buildings: 7.5 m sloping roof or 7.0 m flat roof; 2 storeys
- **Maximum height, accessory buildings:** 4.0 m and 1 storey
- **Front setback:** Rowhouse 3.0 m; small-scale multi-unit 4.0 m
- **Rear setback:** Principal 3.0 m; accessory 1.5 m (interior rear yard); lane yard 1.5 m
- **Interior side setback:** 1.2 m (0 m where there is a party wall between rowhouse units)
- **Street side setback:** Rowhouse 3.0 m (street yard); small-scale multi-unit flanking 3.0 m
- **Accessory building setbacks:** Interior rear yard 1.5 m; lane yard 1.5 m; interior side yard 1.2 m; street yard as for all buildings
- **Other rules:** Minimum permeable surfaces: rowhouse 30%, 1 to 2 units 40%, 3 to 4 units 40%, 5 to 6 units 30%; Lots with 1 to 3 dwelling units need at least 1 unit with 3 or more bedrooms; lots with 4 to 6 units need at least 2; Child care facility limited to 25 children and must be on a corner lot; Each primary dwelling unit needs an outdoor amenity space at least 2.0 m wide and 10.0 m² in area

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw 2026 (Bylaw No. 14815), consolidated version without schedules, s. 1.1](https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-07/Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-Without-Schedules.pdf#page=31) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Burnaby: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/zoning/index.json

_Draft: taken from the bylaw text by a research agent and not yet reviewed by a person. Gov Handbook is an independent guide. Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/zoning/r1/_