---
title: "R-7 zone in Smithers: Rural Residential Hobby Farm"
place: Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/smithers
zone: R-7
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-7/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/zoning/r-7.json"
---

# R-7 zone in Smithers: Rural Residential Hobby Farm

To accommodate one and two-family dwellings in rural areas with larger parcels suitable for agricultural or hobby farm use.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** To accommodate one and two-family dwellings in rural areas with larger parcels suitable for agricultural or hobby farm use.
- **Main uses:** Single detached dwelling; Semi-detached dwelling; Agriculture; Hobby farm; Group home (major and minor)
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Bed and breakfast; Carriage house; Secondary suite; Short-term rental
- **Minimum lot area:** 2 hectares (4.94 acres)
- **Minimum lot width:** 30 metres
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 30% 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 (residential buildings)
- **Front setback:** 7.5 metres
- **Rear setback:** 7.5 metres
- **Interior side setback:** 7.5 metres (side yard)
- **Other rules:** Farm animals: no more than 1 horse, 2 cattle and 12 poultry for each 0.4 hectares (1 acre) of parcel area; 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. 4.6](https://www.smithers.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Town%20of%20Smithers%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%201987_Deepa%20Chandran.pdf#page=47) (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-7/_