GovHandbook

RMW-3B zone in New Westminster: Multiple Dwelling Districts Waterfront (High Rise)

New Westminster, British ColumbiaDraft, not yet reviewedBylaw read 2026-11-07

In short

Multi-family development next to the waterfront with a base density of 65 units per acre (160.61 units per hectare), plus bonuses

Zone rules

PurposeMulti-family development next to the waterfront with a base density of 65 units per acre (160.61 units per hectare), plus bonuses
Main uses
  • Single detached dwellings (to RS-1 standards)
  • Duplex dwellings (to RT-1 standards)
  • Row houses or townhouses
  • Apartment buildings and multiple dwellings
  • Public utilities
Detached accessory dwelling units are allowed only on lots designated (RD) or (RGO) in the Official Community Plan.
Also allowed (secondary uses)
  • Child care in accordance with Section 170.13
  • Home based businesses
  • Accessory buildings and uses
Maximum lot coverage40% of the site area for principal buildings
Maximum densityUp to 75 housing units per net acre (.40 hectares), with increases for landscaped enclosed parking and for site coverage under 40%; also increased by ten units per acre for each percent that usable open space exceeds ten percent of gross residential floor area; total units may not exceed the number on Supplementary Plan No. 1 (Schedule "A"); the intent statement gives a base density of 65 units per acre
Maximum height170 feet (51.82 metres)
Maximum height, accessory buildings1 storey, 15 feet (4.57 metres) measured from the finished floor of the building
Front setbackAt least 25 feet (7.62 metres) deep
Rear setback20% of the site depth up to 25 feet (7.62 metres), or 20% of the building height, whichever is greater; the part of a building over 30 feet (9.14 metres) high must be set back a further 30% of that portion's height
Interior side setbackWhere the side yard does not adjoin a street: the street side yard rule less 8 feet (2.44 metres)
Street side setbackWhere the side yard adjoins a street: 8 feet (2.44 metres) plus 50% of the height of the highest principal building up to 30 feet (9.14 metres), plus 20% of the height of the portion over 30 feet (9.14 metres)
Accessory building setbacksNot in the required front yard; at least 5 feet (1.52 metres) from the rear or side site line
Other rules
  • Usable open space of at least 10% of the gross residential floor area
  • Accessory buildings: no more than 10% of the site area
  • Where a building is over 40 feet (12.19 metres) high, its width above that height is limited to 20% of the site perimeter

Source: Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (consolidated as of June 8, 2026), s. 475 (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply, and a lot can have site-specific rules. The City publishes the complete bylaw as a single PDF, consolidated as of June 8, 2026; it also publishes each part separately. The saved text includes the list of amendments and appendices. Zone pages are taken from the bylaw text by a research agent and have not yet been reviewed by a person: confirm with the bylaw before you rely on them. How answers are checked.

This zone as Markdown · JSON · all New Westminster zones · Report an error