---
title: "RT-2 zone in New Westminster: Townhouse Districts"
place: New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/new-westminster
zone: RT-2
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-2/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/zoning/rt-2.json"
---

# RT-2 zone in New Westminster: Townhouse Districts

Townhouse development, with an opportunity to increase density when amenity conditions are met.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Townhouse development, with an opportunity to increase density when amenity conditions are met.
- **Main uses:** Single detached dwellings to RS-1 standards (detached accessory dwelling units only on lots designated (RD) or (RGO) in the Official Community Plan); Duplexes to RT-1 standards; Home based businesses; Public utilities; Row houses or townhouses
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Accessory buildings and uses; Keeping of up to two boarders or lodgers, four foster children or seven child care children within a dwelling unit
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 40% (principal buildings in total) for base density
- **Maximum density:** Housing units: 18 per net acre (44.48 per net hectare); or floor space ratio 0.6, which may increase to 1.2 in the Mainland Area when amenity conditions are met
- **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:** 15 feet (4.57 metres)
- **Rear setback:** 25 feet (7.62 metres)
- **Interior side setback:** 15 feet (4.57 metres) on each side of the site, except single detached dwellings and duplexes follow the RS-1 and RT-1 side yard rules; side yards only apply to dwelling units on the perimeter of the site
- **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:** Bonus density in the Mainland Area: height up to 40 feet (12.19 metres), front yard 15 feet (4.57 metres), rear yard 20 feet (6.10 metres), side yards totalling the building height (max 35 feet in total, 20 feet next to a street), no site coverage limit, usable open space 10% of gross residential floor area; Detached accessory buildings may not cover more than 10% of the site area

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (consolidated as of June 8, 2026), s. 410](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Complete_Zoning_Bylaw_No._6680_2001___As_of_June_8_2026(1%29.pdf#page=195) (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-2/_