---
title: "R3 zone in Merritt: Small Parcel Residential"
place: Merritt, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/merritt
zone: R3
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/r3/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/zoning/r3.json"
---

# R3 zone in Merritt: Small Parcel Residential

Small and narrow parcels with Single Detached, Semi-Detached, Townhome and Apartment residential, plus Detached Secondary Dwellings, Home-based Business and Secondary Suites.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Small and narrow parcels with Single Detached, Semi-Detached, Townhome and Apartment residential, plus Detached Secondary Dwellings, Home-based Business and Secondary Suites.
- **Main uses:** Dwelling, Multiple Unit Apartment; Dwelling, Multiple Unit Townhome; Dwelling, Single Detached; Dwelling, Semi-Detached
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Accessory Building; 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:** LOT A, PLAN EPP27753, District Lot 125 (PID 029-292-484): front and/or rear setback may be reduced to 3 metres if there is no vehicle Access to the Parcel
- **Minimum lot area:** Single Detached: 112.5 m² (135 m² corner); Semi-Detached: 180 m² (225 m² corner); Apartment or Townhome: 225 m² (270 m² corner)
- **Minimum lot width:** Single Detached: 7.5 metres (9 metres corner); Semi-Detached: 12 metres (15 metres corner); Apartment or Townhome: 15 metres (18 metres corner)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 85% for Apartment and Townhome (up to 95% with permeable surfaces on at least 10% of the Parcel Area)
- **Maximum density:** Single Detached or Semi-Detached: 3 dwelling units on parcels up to 280 m2, or 4 dwelling units or 60 per hectare (whichever is greater) on larger parcels; Apartment or Townhome: 3 units up to 280 m2, or 4 units or 90 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, back to back, pie-shaped); 3 metres excluding the panhandle access (panhandle)
- **Rear setback:** 5 metres (lane access, back to back); 3 metres (front access, corner, panhandle, pie-shaped)
- **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, back to back, pie-shaped, panhandle); not applicable on lane and front access 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)

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2284, 2020 (consolidated to January 2026), s. 7.6](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2284_Zoning-Bylaw_2026.pdf#page=103) (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/r3/_