---
title: "C-3 zone in New Westminster: Community Commercial Districts (High Rise)"
place: New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/new-westminster
zone: C-3
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (consolidated as of June 8, 2026)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/zoning/c-3/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/zoning/c-3.json"
---

# C-3 zone in New Westminster: Community Commercial Districts (High Rise)

Large-site high-rise commercial and mixed use development including pedestrian-oriented commercial businesses and multi-family residential

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Large-site high-rise commercial and mixed use development including pedestrian-oriented commercial businesses and multi-family residential
- **Main uses:** Animal grooming and daycare facilities; Animal hospitals and veterinary clinics; Antique stores, charity thrift stores, clothing consignment stores, second hand specialty stores, and used music store; Art studios; Banks; Business and professional offices; Restaurants (not drive-in or drive-through); Child care in a non-residential building or portion of a non-residential building; Commercial school; Funeral parlours; Healthcare cluster uses; Hotels; Multiple dwelling; Personal service establishments; Printing and publishing; Public assembly and entertainment use; Public transportation depots; Retail stores; Single detached dwellings (to RS-1 or RS-2 standards); Small-scale production; Taxi offices; Video stores (Residential uses are allowed only in the same building as a non-residential use, and not on the first storey or below.)
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Accessory uses to permitted principal uses; Accessory recycling return centre; Home-based businesses
- **Maximum lot coverage:** Residential portions of buildings: 40% of the site area
- **Maximum density:** Floor space ratio 5.2; up to 70 units per net acre (.40 hectares), with increases for underground parking and for residential site coverage under 40%
- **Front setback:** No front yard required; the part of a building over 30 feet (9.14 metres) high must be set back from the centre line of the fronting street at least 30% of the height of that portion
- **Rear setback:** At least 10 feet (3.05 metres); where the site abuts a lot in an (R) District, 20% of the site depth, not more than 25 feet (7.62 metres) required; the part of a building over 30 feet (9.14 metres) high must be set back at least 40% of the height of that portion
- **Interior side setback:** No side yard required, except where the site abuts a lot in an (R) District or is separated by a street or lane: at least 40% of the building height up to 40 feet (12.19 metres), plus 20% of the part over 40 feet; if a side yard is provided where not required, at least 10 feet (3.05 metres); the part of a building over 30 feet (9.14 metres) high must be set back at least 40% of the height of that portion
- **Other rules:** Properties on the west side of Columbia Street East between Braid and Hospital Street may use C-2A instead; properties on the west side of Sixth Street between Queen's Avenue and Fifth Avenue may use C-3A instead; Where buildings are more than one on a site, the distance between them must be at least 20 feet (6.10 metres) plus 20% of their combined heights; In buildings with more than ten housing units, usable open space of at least 10% of the gross residential floor area; Health-focused research and laboratory facilities (healthcare cluster uses) only in the Sapperton Special Employment Area

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (consolidated as of June 8, 2026), s. 514](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Complete_Zoning_Bylaw_No._6680_2001___As_of_June_8_2026(1%29.pdf#page=310) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in New Westminster: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/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/new-westminster/zoning/c-3/_