---
title: "RT-1 zone in New Westminster: Duplex Districts"
place: New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/new-westminster
zone: RT-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/rt-1/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/zoning/rt-1.json"
---

# RT-1 zone in New Westminster: Duplex Districts

Two-family (duplex) dwellings.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Two-family (duplex) dwellings.
- **Main uses:** Single detached dwellings to RS-1 standards (detached accessory dwelling units only on lots designated (RD), (RGO), (RLM) or (RMR) in the Official Community Plan); Duplexes; Golf courses (minimum 40 acres / 16.19 hectares); Home based businesses; Public utilities
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Accessory buildings and uses; Keeping of up to two boarders or lodgers, four foster children or eight child care children within a dwelling unit
- **Minimum lot area:** 6,000 square feet (557.40 square metres) for any lot created after October 25, 1948; a duplex is only allowed on a lot of 6,000 square feet or more; a single detached dwelling may be built on a smaller lot
- **Minimum lot width:** Frontage of not less than 10% of the lot perimeter
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 40% (principal buildings in total)
- **Maximum density:** Floor space ratio up to 0.6
- **Maximum height:** 25 feet (7.62 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)
- **Rear setback:** 20% of the depth of the site, up to 25 feet (7.62 metres)
- **Interior side setback:** Lots with frontage of 40 feet (12.19 metres) or more: 10% of site width on each side, maximum 5 feet (1.52 metres). Lots with frontage of 40 feet (12.19 metres) or less: 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; 22 feet (6.71 metres) less lane width from a lane
- **Other rules:** Detached accessory buildings may not cover more than 10% of the site area; Secondary suites are not permitted

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (consolidated as of June 8, 2026), s. 340](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Complete_Zoning_Bylaw_No._6680_2001___As_of_June_8_2026(1%29.pdf#page=165) (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/rt-1/_