---
title: "R1 zone in Merritt: Low Density Residential"
place: Merritt, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/merritt
zone: R1
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw No. 2284, 2020 (consolidated to January 2026)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/zoning/r1/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/zoning/r1.json"
---

# R1 zone in Merritt: Low Density Residential

Compact, pedestrian-oriented single detached, semi-detached, townhome and apartment dwellings on serviced parcels.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Compact, pedestrian-oriented single detached, semi-detached, townhome and apartment dwellings on serviced parcels.
- **Main uses:** Dwelling, Multiple Unit Apartment; Dwelling, Multiple Unit Townhome; Dwelling, Single Detached; Dwelling, Semi-Detached; Daycare Centre, Minor; Commercial Conversion
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Accessory Building; Bed and Breakfast; Community Care Facility, Minor; Dwelling, Detached Secondary; Home-based Business; Secondary Suite; Urban Agriculture; Short-Term Rental (discretionary) (Short-Term Rental needs approval from the Development Approving Officer.)
- **Extra uses on specific lots:** Mobile Home is also a permitted principal use on listed parcels on Houston Street / Douglas Street (1102 Houston St to 1498 Douglas St) and on Telemon Place; Lots on Cowley Street and Duncan Street (Plan 27196 and Plan 28057): single detached minimum parcel area 530 m2; semi-detached 750 m2; 1826 Quilchena Avenue, 2414 Spring Bank Avenue and 2426 Spring Bank Avenue: special rules for a Detached Secondary Dwelling
- **Minimum lot area:** Single Detached: 270 m² (330 m² corner); Semi-Detached: 540 m² (630 m² corner); Apartment or Townhome: 360 m² (420 m² corner); Daycare Centre, Minor: 450 m²
- **Minimum lot width:** Single Detached: 9 metres (11 metres corner); Semi-Detached: 18 metres (21 metres corner); Apartment or Townhome: 18 metres (21 metres corner); Daycare Centre, Minor: 15 metres
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 75% (up to 90% with permeable surfaces on at least 15% of the Parcel Area) for Apartment and Townhome
- **Maximum density:** Single Detached or Semi-Detached: 3 dwelling units on parcels up to 280 m2, or 4 dwelling units or 40 per hectare (whichever is greater) on larger parcels; Apartment or Townhome: 3 units up to 280 m2, or 4 units or 60 per hectare (whichever is greater) on larger parcels
- **Maximum height:** Lesser of 14 metres or 3 storeys
- **Maximum height, accessory buildings:** Accessory Building: lesser of 5 metres or 1.5 storeys; Detached Secondary Dwelling: lesser of 10.5 metres or 2 storeys
- **Front setback:** 3 metres (lane access); 5 metres (front access, corner, pie-shaped); 3 metres excluding the panhandle access (panhandle)
- **Rear setback:** 5 metres (lane access); 3 metres (front access, corner, panhandle, pie-shaped); 5 metres for a Daycare Centre, Minor
- **Interior side setback:** 1.2 metres; 0 metres between shared Parcel Line units of Semi-Detached or Townhome dwellings
- **Street side setback:** 2.8 metres (corner parcels, pie-shaped, panhandle); not applicable on lane and front access parcels; 6 metres for Apartment/Townhome corner parcels
- **Accessory building setbacks:** Accessory Building: front Front Building Line, side 1.2 metres, rear 1.2 metres; Detached Secondary Dwelling: front Front Building Line, interior side 1.2 metres, exterior side 2.8 metres, rear 1.2 metres
- **Other rules:** If a Parcel has multiple Accesses, the front, exterior side and/or rear setback for a Principal Building is 5 metres; Minimum separation: 3 metres between Principal Buildings; 1.5 metres between Accessory Buildings and other Structures; Private Open Space is required for each Apartment or Townhome unit (5 m2 to 10 m2 depending on bedrooms); Daycare Centre, Minor is not permitted with Apartment, Townhome or Semi-Detached Dwelling buildings

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2284, 2020 (consolidated to January 2026), s. 7.3](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2284_Zoning-Bylaw_2026.pdf#page=92) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Merritt: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/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/merritt/zoning/r1/_