---
title: "RQ-1 zone in New Westminster: Queensborough Neighbourhood Residential Dwelling Districts"
place: New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/new-westminster
zone: RQ-1
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/rq-1/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/zoning/rq-1.json"
---

# RQ-1 zone in New Westminster: Queensborough Neighbourhood Residential Dwelling Districts

Single detached dwellings in the Queensborough neighbourhood; regulations address floodplain concerns; secondary suites allowed if the City’s requirements are met.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Single detached dwellings in the Queensborough neighbourhood; regulations address floodplain concerns; secondary suites allowed if the City’s requirements are met.
- **Main uses:** Single detached dwellings; Home based businesses; Public utilities; Women’s transition houses; Accommodation for youth in foster care and transitioning from foster care
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Accessory buildings and uses; Secondary suite (if the Requirements for Secondary Suites are met); Keeping of up to two boarders or lodgers, four foster children in a dwelling unit or eight child care children in a single detached dwelling
- **Extra uses on specific lots:** 200 Fenton Street, 350, 354, 358, 362, 366, 370, 374 and 378 Fenton Street: housing unit tenure limited to residential rental
- **Minimum lot area:** 4,000 square feet (371.60 square metres)
- **Minimum lot width:** Frontage of not less than 10% of the site perimeter, unless Council determines a lesser frontage
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 35% (principal buildings in total); if two habitable levels, the upper level is limited to 80% of the lower level
- **Maximum density:** Floor space ratio up to 0.5 for lots under 4,000 square feet or 6,000 square feet and over; for lots from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet, a table sets maximum floor space from 2,400 to 2,975 square feet. One secondary suite permitted if requirements are met
- **Maximum height:** Peaked roof: 21 feet (6.40 metres), or 21.5 feet (6.55 metres) for a building with two habitable levels each with a floor to ceiling height of 9 feet (2.74 metres) or greater; flat or mansard roof: 18 feet (5.49 metres). May be increased by 1.22 metres (4 feet) for Energy Step Code Step 5 or Passive House
- **Maximum height, accessory buildings:** Detached: one storey, 4.57 metres (15 feet) for a peaked roof or 3.6 metres (12 feet) for a roof pitch of 4:12 or less. Attached: one storey, 15 feet (4.57 metres)
- **Front setback:** 20% of the depth of the site, up to 25 feet (7.62 metres); may match the average front yard of existing buildings where 40% or more of the street frontage is built on
- **Rear setback:** 20% of the depth of the site, up to 25 feet (7.62 metres)
- **Interior side setback:** Total of both side yards at least 25% of the lot frontage, with each side yard at least 4 feet (1.22 metres)
- **Accessory building setbacks:** Detached accessory buildings: not in the required front yard; 5 feet (1.52 metres) from rear or side site lines bounded by a street; swimming pools 5 feet (1.52 metres) from side and rear site lines; 15 feet (4.57 metres) from the corner at a street and lane; garage or carport 22 feet (6.71 metres) less lane width from the lane, sited within 10 feet (3.05 metres) of the lane if lane access is required
- **Other rules:** Detached and attached accessory buildings together may not cover more than 15% of the site area; Covered decks or porches attached to the rear or side walls may not exceed 250 square feet (23.23 square metres); Attached garage with street access must be set back from the front wall of the house by 2 feet (garage door 10 feet or less wide) or 5 feet (wider); Properties are in the Fraser River floodplain and flooding and subsidence covenants will apply

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (consolidated as of June 8, 2026), s. 330](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Complete_Zoning_Bylaw_No._6680_2001___As_of_June_8_2026(1%29.pdf#page=150) (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/rq-1/_