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New Housing Regulations in Richmond

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The Survey and Ask a Question sections of this project have concluded. They ran from July 4 to August 11, 2024. Thank you to everyone who participated.


The City of Richmond recently rezoned almost 27,000 residential properties to allow small-scale multi-unit housing on single family and duplex lots.

  • This was a requirement of the Province of BC's legislation (Bill 44) which changes the way municipalities manage land use planning in order to encourage the creation of more housing supply across the province.
  • The City's new zoning regulations came into affect June 24, 2024.

It's important for residents to understand:

  • how Bill 44 mandated that the City update building regulations (zoning) to permit small-scale multi-unit housing on single-family and duplex lots
  • how this will affect residential property owners, properties and neighbourhoods.

We are interested in your feedback on the City's new small-scale multi-unit housing regulations.

We are hosting a series of open houses as well as asking for feedback online with specific focus on the City’s new small-scale multi-unit housing regulations.


Here's how you can participate:

  IN PERSON: Attend a drop-in style open house:

  • July 9, 10, 11 and 17, 2024
  • See times and locations in the Timeline on this page

  ONLINE: Learn more, provide feedback and ask questions:

  • If you cannot attend an open house, the information, "Feedback Form" and "Ask a Question" are here
  • The deadline to participate is Sunday, August 11, 2024.


Your collective input will contribute directly to our report to Council, shaping our efforts to better serve our community. Thank you for your participation.

If you need assistance completing the feedback form, please email CommunityPlanning@richmond.ca.

Your privacy is important to us. All feedback you provide will be anonymized and aggregated with others' responses to ensure individual input remains confidential.


The Survey and Ask a Question sections of this project have concluded. They ran from July 4 to August 11, 2024. Thank you to everyone who participated.


The City of Richmond recently rezoned almost 27,000 residential properties to allow small-scale multi-unit housing on single family and duplex lots.

  • This was a requirement of the Province of BC's legislation (Bill 44) which changes the way municipalities manage land use planning in order to encourage the creation of more housing supply across the province.
  • The City's new zoning regulations came into affect June 24, 2024.

It's important for residents to understand:

  • how Bill 44 mandated that the City update building regulations (zoning) to permit small-scale multi-unit housing on single-family and duplex lots
  • how this will affect residential property owners, properties and neighbourhoods.

We are interested in your feedback on the City's new small-scale multi-unit housing regulations.

We are hosting a series of open houses as well as asking for feedback online with specific focus on the City’s new small-scale multi-unit housing regulations.


Here's how you can participate:

  IN PERSON: Attend a drop-in style open house:

  • July 9, 10, 11 and 17, 2024
  • See times and locations in the Timeline on this page

  ONLINE: Learn more, provide feedback and ask questions:

  • If you cannot attend an open house, the information, "Feedback Form" and "Ask a Question" are here
  • The deadline to participate is Sunday, August 11, 2024.


Your collective input will contribute directly to our report to Council, shaping our efforts to better serve our community. Thank you for your participation.

If you need assistance completing the feedback form, please email CommunityPlanning@richmond.ca.

Your privacy is important to us. All feedback you provide will be anonymized and aggregated with others' responses to ensure individual input remains confidential.

Ask City staff your questions in relation to the City's new zoning bylaws allowing small-scale multi-unit housing, mandated by the Province of BC's new Bill 44 legislation.

  • Share In large/x-large lots with a wider lot width, can the units be built side-to-side? This would allow both buildings to have access to the main street. on Facebook Share In large/x-large lots with a wider lot width, can the units be built side-to-side? This would allow both buildings to have access to the main street. on Twitter Share In large/x-large lots with a wider lot width, can the units be built side-to-side? This would allow both buildings to have access to the main street. on Linkedin Email In large/x-large lots with a wider lot width, can the units be built side-to-side? This would allow both buildings to have access to the main street. link

    In large/x-large lots with a wider lot width, can the units be built side-to-side? This would allow both buildings to have access to the main street.

    Ming W asked 3 months ago

    Dwelling units can be arranged side-by-side such that two units front the street, as long as the building design complies with the RSM zone and other Zoning Bylaw requirements, such as setbacks and vehicle access. 

    SSMUH Zoning Bylaw 10573


  • Share Can a new dwelling be added to a lot adjacent or behind an existing dwelling and be stratified and sold? OR do you need to tear everything down and rebuild everything new? on Facebook Share Can a new dwelling be added to a lot adjacent or behind an existing dwelling and be stratified and sold? OR do you need to tear everything down and rebuild everything new? on Twitter Share Can a new dwelling be added to a lot adjacent or behind an existing dwelling and be stratified and sold? OR do you need to tear everything down and rebuild everything new? on Linkedin Email Can a new dwelling be added to a lot adjacent or behind an existing dwelling and be stratified and sold? OR do you need to tear everything down and rebuild everything new? link

    Can a new dwelling be added to a lot adjacent or behind an existing dwelling and be stratified and sold? OR do you need to tear everything down and rebuild everything new?

    MichaelLee asked 4 months ago

    Property owners do not need to demolish the existing dwelling unit. Units can be located on the lot as long as they comply with the RSM Zoning Bylaw requirements, such as setback and building separation. Units on RSM-zoned lots can also be stratified and sold individually. Please refer to the display boards for illustrative examples. 

  • Share Where can I find out what is the current affordable housing reserve fund rate? on Facebook Share Where can I find out what is the current affordable housing reserve fund rate? on Twitter Share Where can I find out what is the current affordable housing reserve fund rate? on Linkedin Email Where can I find out what is the current affordable housing reserve fund rate? link

    Where can I find out what is the current affordable housing reserve fund rate?

    GA asked 4 months ago

    The affordable housing reserve fund rate for Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RSM) development can be found in Section 5.15(e) of the Zoning Bylaw. Please note that this rate only applies to RSM developments that comprise 6 units and none of the 6 units are secured as affordable housing units. Link: https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/SpecificUseRegs24224.pdf#page=18


  • Share Hi There, Can the RSM multiplex units be stratified and sold individually? What is the requirement to move forward from application, to DP, to BP? Are there bonus density charges, DCC, ACC charges? What do we anticipate the total approval time to be from first application to BP? Thank you Michael Lee on Facebook Share Hi There, Can the RSM multiplex units be stratified and sold individually? What is the requirement to move forward from application, to DP, to BP? Are there bonus density charges, DCC, ACC charges? What do we anticipate the total approval time to be from first application to BP? Thank you Michael Lee on Twitter Share Hi There, Can the RSM multiplex units be stratified and sold individually? What is the requirement to move forward from application, to DP, to BP? Are there bonus density charges, DCC, ACC charges? What do we anticipate the total approval time to be from first application to BP? Thank you Michael Lee on Linkedin Email Hi There, Can the RSM multiplex units be stratified and sold individually? What is the requirement to move forward from application, to DP, to BP? Are there bonus density charges, DCC, ACC charges? What do we anticipate the total approval time to be from first application to BP? Thank you Michael Lee link

    Hi There, Can the RSM multiplex units be stratified and sold individually? What is the requirement to move forward from application, to DP, to BP? Are there bonus density charges, DCC, ACC charges? What do we anticipate the total approval time to be from first application to BP? Thank you Michael Lee

    MichaelLee asked 4 months ago

    Yes, units on RSM-zoned lots can be stratified and sold individually.

    Most small-scale multi-unit housing will only need a Building Permit. A Development Permit will be required if a development is within an environmentally sensitive area, a building is proposed in the rear yard setback, or the lot shape is irregular (for example, pie-shaped).

    Bill 44-related development will impact City services, infrastructure, parks, recreation facilities and other amenities. Reports regarding these impacts, necessary improvements and funding strategies will come forward to Council over the coming months, including recommendations for development and amenity charges.

    Time lines will vary on based on the complexity of the proposed development.

  • Share What is the floor area ratio for the small mutiple units can be built under the new regulation? on Facebook Share What is the floor area ratio for the small mutiple units can be built under the new regulation? on Twitter Share What is the floor area ratio for the small mutiple units can be built under the new regulation? on Linkedin Email What is the floor area ratio for the small mutiple units can be built under the new regulation? link

    What is the floor area ratio for the small mutiple units can be built under the new regulation?

    AlexLe asked 4 months ago

    The maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) under the RSM zone is dependent on lot size and number of units provided. Generally, 0.6 is applied to a maximum of 464.5 m2 of the lot area and 0.30 applied to the balance of the lot area in excess of 464.5 m2. Please see Section 8.19.5.3 of the RSM Zoning Bylaw for further details. 

  • Share Is there an additional 861 sq.ft. on top of the 0.6 FAR on 5,000 + 0.3 FAR remaining property size for flex space and/or garage? Or does the 861 sq.ft. for flex space/garage come out of the previously noted FAR? Thank you on Facebook Share Is there an additional 861 sq.ft. on top of the 0.6 FAR on 5,000 + 0.3 FAR remaining property size for flex space and/or garage? Or does the 861 sq.ft. for flex space/garage come out of the previously noted FAR? Thank you on Twitter Share Is there an additional 861 sq.ft. on top of the 0.6 FAR on 5,000 + 0.3 FAR remaining property size for flex space and/or garage? Or does the 861 sq.ft. for flex space/garage come out of the previously noted FAR? Thank you on Linkedin Email Is there an additional 861 sq.ft. on top of the 0.6 FAR on 5,000 + 0.3 FAR remaining property size for flex space and/or garage? Or does the 861 sq.ft. for flex space/garage come out of the previously noted FAR? Thank you link

    Is there an additional 861 sq.ft. on top of the 0.6 FAR on 5,000 + 0.3 FAR remaining property size for flex space and/or garage? Or does the 861 sq.ft. for flex space/garage come out of the previously noted FAR? Thank you

    Manny Rai asked 4 months ago

    Flex space is in addition to the 0.6 applied to a maximum of 464.5 m2 of the lot and 0.3 applied to the remainder for small-scale multi-unit housing.

  • Share how do we find out what is a prescribed bus stop on Facebook Share how do we find out what is a prescribed bus stop on Twitter Share how do we find out what is a prescribed bus stop on Linkedin Email how do we find out what is a prescribed bus stop link

    how do we find out what is a prescribed bus stop

    Sharon D asked 4 months ago

    City Staff is currently working on a map to show this data, and hope to have it available for public use in the upcoming weeks.

  • Share the interactive map does not show which addresses fall withing the prescribed bus stop area. on Facebook Share the interactive map does not show which addresses fall withing the prescribed bus stop area. on Twitter Share the interactive map does not show which addresses fall withing the prescribed bus stop area. on Linkedin Email the interactive map does not show which addresses fall withing the prescribed bus stop area. link

    the interactive map does not show which addresses fall withing the prescribed bus stop area.

    Sharon D asked 4 months ago

    City Staff is currently working on a map to show this data, and hope to have it available for public use in the upcoming weeks.

  • Share How will this affect property value assessment? on Facebook Share How will this affect property value assessment? on Twitter Share How will this affect property value assessment? on Linkedin Email How will this affect property value assessment? link

    How will this affect property value assessment?

    Cyrus Shum asked 4 months ago

    The City cannot provide guidance regarding how the new zoning may effect property values. Please refer to the BC Assessment Authority regarding its property assessment processes.

  • Share are corner lots - with a street on two sides considered as 'with a lane' or 'without a lane'? on Facebook Share are corner lots - with a street on two sides considered as 'with a lane' or 'without a lane'? on Twitter Share are corner lots - with a street on two sides considered as 'with a lane' or 'without a lane'? on Linkedin Email are corner lots - with a street on two sides considered as 'with a lane' or 'without a lane'? link

    are corner lots - with a street on two sides considered as 'with a lane' or 'without a lane'?

    Sharon D asked 4 months ago

    'With a lane' or 'without a lane' refers to whether a lot does or does not have vehicle access via a back alley. Any type of lot, including a ‘corner lot’, may have a lane (back alley). However, a lot is only called a ‘corner lot’ if it is situated at the intersection of two streets (e.g., No. 1 Road and Garry Street), not at the intersection of a street and a lane.