---
title: "R5 zone in Surrey: Compact Residential Zone"
place: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/surrey
zone: R5
bylaw: Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000 (consolidation includes amendments up to By-law 22120, adopted 09/21/2026)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/zoning/r5/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/zoning/r5.json"
---

# R5 zone in Surrey: Compact Residential Zone

Small-scale multi-unit housing (2 to 6 dwelling units) on compact, typically rear-lane-accessed lots of 291 sq. m or larger.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Small-scale multi-unit housing (2 to 6 dwelling units) on compact, typically rear-lane-accessed lots of 291 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: 291 sq. m (Type I regular), 270 sq. m (Type II wide shallow), 324 sq. m (Type III narrow deep); corner lot or lot on flanking lane: 369 sq. m (Type I), 293 sq. m (Type II), 363 sq. m (Type III) (new lots)
- **Minimum lot width:** Interior lot: 9.7 m (Type I), 12.3 m (Type II), 9 m (Type III); corner lot: 12.8 m (Type I), 14.0 m (Type II), 10.5 m (Type III); minimum lot depth 30 m (Type I), 22 m (Type II), 36 m (Type III)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** Single family dwelling (with or without secondary suite, coach house or garden suite): 52% on Type I and II lots, 60% on Type III lots; duplex: 60% on Type I and II lots, 65% on Type III lots
- **Maximum density:** Maximum 37 lots per hectare on subdivision; single family dwelling maximum floor area 217 sq. m excluding basements; duplex maximum floor area 350 sq. m including basements
- **Maximum height:** Single family dwelling: 9.5 m sloped roof, 7.3 m flatter roof, 10.5 m in floodplain; duplex: 3 storeys up to 11 metres (9.3 metres flatter roof, 12 m floodplain); coach house or garden suite: 2 storeys up to 7.0 m, roof peak 8.3 m (6.5 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:** 3.5 m (single family dwelling and duplex); coach house, garden suite and accessory buildings not permitted in front yard
- **Rear setback:** Single family dwelling 6.5 m; duplex 6.0 m; coach house 0.5 m; garden suite 1.2 m (1.8 m without lane access); other accessory buildings 0.5 m
- **Interior side setback:** 1.2 m (single family dwelling, duplex); garden suite 1.2 m (1.8 m without lane access); coach house 0 m (not permitted on lots without lane); other accessory buildings 0 m
- **Street side setback:** Single family dwelling 2.7 m; duplex 2.4 m; coach house 1.2 m; garden suite 1.8 m; other accessory buildings 1.2 m
- **Accessory building setbacks:** Other accessory buildings: not permitted in front yard, rear 0.5 m, side 0 m, street side 1.2 m
- **Other rules:** Coach house or garden suite: minimum floor area 35 sq. m and maximum 75 sq. m, excluding the garage or carport; Driveway access is permitted only from a rear lane; 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 17](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_Zoning_12000.pdf#page=164) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Surrey: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/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/surrey/zoning/r5/_