---
title: "RQ-5 zone in New Westminster: Queensborough Neighbourhood Residential Dwelling Districts (Small Lots)"
place: New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/new-westminster
zone: RQ-5
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-5/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/zoning/rq-5.json"
---

# RQ-5 zone in New Westminster: Queensborough Neighbourhood Residential Dwelling Districts (Small Lots)

Single detached dwellings reflecting neighbourhood standards in the Queensborough neighbourhood; regulations address floodplain concerns.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Single detached dwellings reflecting neighbourhood standards in the Queensborough neighbourhood; regulations address floodplain concerns.
- **Main uses:** Single detached dwellings; Home based businesses; Public utilities; Women’s transition houses
- **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
- **Minimum lot area:** 4,000 square feet (371.6 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:** Total floor space ratio up to 0.5; one secondary suite permitted if requirements are met
- **Maximum height:** Peaked roof: 21 feet (6.40 metres), or 21.5 feet (6.56 metres) for a building with two habitable levels each with a floor to ceiling height of 9.0 feet (2.74 metres) or greater; flat or mansard roof: 18 feet (5.49 metres)
- **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 (5.71 metres) less lane width from the lane as written in the bylaw, 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)

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (consolidated as of June 8, 2026), s. 331](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Complete_Zoning_Bylaw_No._6680_2001___As_of_June_8_2026(1%29.pdf#page=159) (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-5/_