---
title: "R-SS zone in Fernie: Residential - Small Scale"
place: Fernie, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/fernie
zone: R-SS
bylaw: "Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 (consolidated to Bylaw 2551; consolidation last updated October 7, 2026)"
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/zoning/r-ss/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/zoning/r-ss.json"
---

# R-SS zone in Fernie: Residential - Small Scale

A variety of housing types, including low-density and small-scale multi-unit housing.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** A variety of housing types, including low-density and small-scale multi-unit housing.
- **Main uses:** Single Detached Dwelling (except Manufactured Home); Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (except Manufactured Home); Uses permitted under Section 3.3 of the Bylaw
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Home occupation; Buildings and structures accessory to a permitted use
- **Minimum lot area:** 250 m² (parcels under 280 m²); 280 m² (parcels 280 m² or larger)
- **Minimum lot width:** 9.14 m (all parcels except in the bulb of a cul-de-sac); 6.1 m (parcels in the bulb of a cul-de-sac)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 1 dwelling unit 35%; 2 dwelling units 40%; 3 dwelling units 50% (parcels under 280 m²) or 45% (280 m² or larger); 4 dwelling units not applicable (under 280 m²) or 50% (280 m² or larger) (Coverage may be exceeded by an additional 5% to allow for accessory buildings and structures.)
- **Maximum density:** 3 dwelling units per parcel (parcels under 280 m²); 4 dwelling units per parcel (280 m² or larger)
- **Maximum height:** 10.0 m for the part of a building more than 6.0 m from the rear property line; 8.0 m for the part within 6.0 m of the rear property line
- **Maximum height, accessory buildings:** 5.0 m (accessory building, non-dwelling unit)
- **Front setback:** One dwelling unit on a parcel: 3.0 m (parcels under 280 m²) or 6.0 m (280 m² or larger); two or more dwelling units: 3.0 m
- **Rear setback:** 1.5 m
- **Interior side setback:** 1.5 m
- **Other rules:** Year-round unimpeded emergency access must be provided from the front yard (or front or side yard on a corner parcel); Driveway used for off-street parking must be at least 5.8 metres long; Setbacks along common walls of small-scale multi-unit housing are 0.0 metres

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 (consolidated to Bylaw 2551; consolidation last updated October 7, 2026), s. 4.2.1](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/197505/#page=48) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Fernie: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/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/fernie/zoning/r-ss/_