R4 zone in Surrey: Small Lot Residential Zone

Surrey, British ColumbiaDraft, not yet reviewedBylaw read 2026-11-07

In short

Small-scale multi-unit housing (2 to 6 dwelling units) on small lots typically 336 sq. m or larger.

Zone rules

Purpose	Small-scale multi-unit housing (2 to 6 dwelling units) on small lots typically 336 sq. m or larger.
Main uses	Single Family Dwelling Duplex (lots under 4,050 sq. m) Maximum dwelling units: up to 2 on lots of 4,050 sq. m or more; up to 4 (or 6 on eligible lots near frequent bus stops) on lots from 280 to under 4,050 sq. m; 2 or 3 on lots under 280 sq. m.
Also allowed (secondary uses)	Secondary Suite Garden Suite Coach House Short-Term Rental
Minimum lot area	Interior lot 336 sq. m; corner lot 380 sq. m (new lots)The same section also lists a general table (Lot Area 8,094 sq. m, Lot Width 50 m, Lot Depth 60 m) that appears to belong to another case; please check.
Minimum lot width	Interior lot: 12 m (Type I narrow deep) or 13.4 m (Type II wide shallow); corner lot: 14 m (Type I) or 15.4 m (Type II); minimum lot depth 28 m (Type I) or 24 m (Type II)
Maximum lot coverage	Single family dwelling 50%; with coach house or garden suite 59%; duplex 60%; duplex with coach house or garden suite 65%
Maximum density	Maximum 30 lots per hectare on subdivision; single family dwelling floor area ratio 0.72, maximum floor area 266 sq. m; duplex maximum floor area 450 sq. m including basements
Maximum height	Single family dwelling: 9 m sloped roof, 7.3 m flatter roof, 10 m in floodplain; duplex: 3 storeys up to 11 m (9.3 m flatter roof, 12 m floodplain); coach house or garden suite: 2 storeys up to 7.0 m, roof peak 8.3 m (6.0 m flatter roof, 8.5 m floodplain)
Maximum height, accessory buildings	3 m (5 m if roof slope and materials match the principal building)
Front setback	Single family dwelling 5.5 m; duplex 6.0 m; coach house, garden suite and accessory buildings not permitted in front yard
Rear setback	Single family dwelling 7.5 m; duplex 6.0 m; coach house 1.2 m; garden suite 1.2 m (1.8 m without lane access); other accessory buildings 1.0 m
Interior side setback	Single family dwelling and duplex 1.2 m; garden suite 1.2 m (1.8 m without lane access); other accessory buildings 0 m
Street side setback	Single family dwelling and duplex 2.4 m; coach house and garden suite 1.8 m; other accessory buildings 1.2 m
Accessory building setbacks	Other accessory buildings: not permitted in front yard, rear 1.0 m, side 0 m, street side 1.2 m
Other rules	Single family dwellings must not exceed a maximum floor area of 266 sq. m Side-by-side garages only on lots 13.4 m or wider; maximum single garage width 4.0 m Non-porous or paved surfaces may cover up to 30% of the lot area not occupied by buildings or structures Lots protected as heritage or not connected to community water or sewer allow no more than 2 dwelling units

Source: Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000 (consolidation includes amendments up to By-law 22120, adopted 09/21/2026), s. Part 16 (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply, and a lot can have site-specific rules. Each Comprehensive Development (CD) zone is a separate site-specific by-law attached to Part 52 (listed on the Surrey map by lot as "CD" with its by-law number); those by-laws are not written out in this PDF. Zone pages are taken from the bylaw text by a research agent and have not yet been reviewed by a person: confirm with the bylaw before you rely on them. How answers are checked.

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