R5 zone in Surrey: Compact 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 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 (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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