Fernie zoning: find your zone and what it allows
How do I find out how my property is zoned and what I can build on it?
Find your lot on the Zoning Map on the City of Fernie's Maps page (the official map is Schedule A of Zoning Bylaw 1750), then read that zone's rules in the bylaw. Planning staff can confirm a zone at planning@fernie.ca or 250-423-6817.
Zoning map
Find your zone on the Zoning Map (Schedule A to Zoning Bylaw No. 1750), then look it up below.
Zones in Fernie
From Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 (consolidated to Bylaw 2551; consolidation last updated October 7, 2026). The City's consolidation has no legislative sanction and is for convenience of reference only; the original bylaws must be consulted. Bylaw 2556 (2026) is an amendment bylaw posted separately and is not in this consolidation. Each zone has its own page with its uses, lot sizes, heights and setbacks. Zone pages are drafts taken from the bylaw text and not yet reviewed by a person.
Residential zones
- R-SS Residential - Small Scale
- R-3 Medium Density Residential
- R3-R Medium Density Residential - Riverside
- R-4 Multiple Family Residential (High Density)
- R-5R Multi-Family Residential Rental
- R-MH Modular Home Residential
Rural zones
Commercial zones
Mixed use zones
Industrial zones
Agricultural zones
Public zones
Comprehensive development zones
- CD-1 Comprehensive Development One Zone
- CD-2 Comprehensive Development Two Zone
- CD-3 Comprehensive Development Three Zone
- CD-4 Comprehensive Development Four Zone
- CD-5 Comprehensive Development Five Zone
Key facts
| How to find your zone | The City's Maps page (Residents, Maps) lists a Zoning Map, and the Property Information page lists zoning designations among its maps. The official zoning map is Schedule A to the Zoning Bylaw. Planning staff can confirm a property's zone.Maps of Fernie; Property Information, Maps; Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, s. 4.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLegal Base Map - Zoning Map within city limits, including: - Zoning designations The locations of the zones established by this Bylaw are shown on the Official Zoning Map |
|---|---|
| Zoning bylaw | Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750; the consolidation is last updated October 7, 2026 (includes amendments up to Bylaw 2551).Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, Title page; Zoning · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCONSOLIDATED ZONING BYLAW NO. 1750 Consolidation Version Last Updated October 7, 2026 2551 City of Fernie Amendment response to Consolidated Zoning Bylaw #1750 |
| What the zone controls | Each zone sets permitted and accessory uses and rules for parcel size, frontage, density, parcel coverage, building height and setbacks; a use not listed is prohibited. General rules cover accessory buildings, home occupations, fences, visibility at corners and parking.Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, ss. 3.4, 4.2.1; Zoning · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingIf a use is not specifically listed in this bylaw, it is considered to be prohibited. The following uses, and no other, are permitted in the R-SS zone. Minimum Setbacks Maximum Building Height The City of Fernie's Zoning Bylaw regulates how land, buildings and other structures may be used within the community. |
| Contact | City Planning: planning@fernie.ca; City Hall phone (250) 423-6817.Development Permits, Application Process; Zoning, Footer contact block · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHave questions or need assistance? Contact City Planning staff at planning@fernie.ca. Contact Info Phone: (250) 423-6817 |
| Bylaw | Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, Title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCONSOLIDATED ZONING BYLAW NO. 1750 |
How it works
The City of Fernie's Zoning Bylaw 1750 (consolidation last updated October 7, 2026, including amendments up to Bylaw 2551) divides the city into zones. Each zone sets permitted and accessory uses and rules for parcel size, frontage, density, parcel coverage, building height and setbacks. A use not listed for a zone is prohibited. General rules cover accessory buildings, home occupations, fences, visibility at corners and parking. Since June 2024 the old residential zones R1, R1SL, R1B, R-WF, R-WF1, R2 and R2-RS have been merged into R-SS.
Steps
- Open the Zoning Map from the City's Maps page and find your lot. The Property Information page also lists zoning designations among its maps.
- Open the Zoning Bylaw and go to your zone's rules in Part 4 (for R-SS, section 4.2.1).
- Read the general rules in Part 3 and the parking rules in Part 5.
- If the map is unclear, or you want a written answer, ask Planning at planning@fernie.ca or 250-423-6817.
Good to know
- The official zoning map is Schedule A to the Zoning Bylaw. The consolidated bylaw is for convenience only; the original bylaws govern.
- Your lot may also sit inside a Development Permit Area; see the development permit answer.
- For lot size or property lines, the City says to get a BC land survey.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sparwood · Cranbrook · Elkford · Kimberley · Canal Flats · Creston
Sources
- Zoning, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Maps of Fernie, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Property Information, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Development Permits, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 (PDF), City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.