---
title: "R-6 zone in Smithers: Rural Residential"
place: Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/smithers
zone: R-6
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw No. 1987 (adopted June 17, 2025)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/zoning/r-6/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/zoning/r-6.json"
---

# R-6 zone in Smithers: Rural Residential

To accommodate one and two-family dwellings in rural areas with varying utility servicing standards.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** To accommodate one and two-family dwellings in rural areas with varying utility servicing standards.
- **Main uses:** Single detached dwelling; Semi-detached dwelling; Group home (major and minor)
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Bed & breakfast; Secondary suite; Carriage house; Short-term rental; Backyard hen keeping (auxiliary to a single detached dwelling)
- **Minimum lot area:** 580 m² with community water and sewer; 870 m² with community sewer only; 1,900 m² with community water only; 2,200 m² with neither
- **Minimum lot width:** 15 metres
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 40% for all buildings and structures
- **Maximum density:** On community water and sewer: 4 units for fee simple parcels greater than 280 m²; 3 units for fee simple parcels less than 280 m²
- **Maximum height:** 9 metres
- **Front setback:** 6 metres
- **Rear setback:** 6 metres
- **Interior side setback:** 3 metres where there is no community water; other parcels: 1.2 metres from one side line and 3 metres from the other, and the 3 metres can be reduced to 1.2 metres where rear access is provided from a lane or street
- **Street side setback:** 3.5 metres
- **Other rules:** No side setback is required on an interior side line where a party wall between two dwellings sits on that line

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987 (adopted June 17, 2025), s. 4.5](https://www.smithers.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Town%20of%20Smithers%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%201987_Deepa%20Chandran.pdf#page=45) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Smithers: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/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/smithers/zoning/r-6/_