What Is RT Zoning in BC? Two-Family and Townhouse Zones Explained
RT zones are usually a city's two-family or townhouse zones, but Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Delta and others each define them differently. Here is what RT means in six BC cities.
The short answer
- 6 BC cities in this comparison that use RT zones
- RT-1 to RT-11 Vancouver's RT zones, the largest set in BC
- 6.1 to 13 m range of maximum heights across the RT zones compared
In BC, an RT zone is usually a city's two-family (duplex) or townhouse zone. The T stands for two-family in some bylaws and townhouse in others. Like every zone code, it is set by the municipality, so RT-1 in Vancouver and RT-1 in Coquitlam are separate zones with their own rules.
Vancouver has the largest family of RT zones, from RT-1 to RT-11, most of them in older neighbourhoods built around character houses and duplexes. Two of them, RT-7 and RT-9, are multiple dwelling zones.
RT zoning by city
The table summarises the RT zones ZoneScout reads from each city's bylaw. Each city's own zone pages have the full rules for every code.
| City | RT zones | What they cover | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | RT-1 to RT-11 | Two-family residential; RT-7 and RT-9 are multiple dwelling | 6.1 to 11.5 m |
| Coquitlam | RT-1, RT-2, RT-3 | Infill, townhouse and multiplex residential | 11 m (RT-1, RT-3) |
| New Westminster | RT-1 to RT-3B | Duplex, townhouse, row house, cluster house and compact lot | 6.1 to 10.7 m |
| City of North Vancouver | RT-1 | Two-unit residential | 10.1 m |
| Maple Ridge | RT-2 | Ground-oriented residential infill | 8 m |
| Delta | RT40, RT50, RT62, RT76 | Townhouse residential | 9.5 to 13 m |
Vancouver RT-7 · Vancouver RT-5 · Coquitlam RT-1 · New Westminster RT-1 · City of North Vancouver RT-1 · Maple Ridge RT-2
Same code, different zone
Coquitlam's RT-3 is a multiplex zone, while New Westminster's RT-3 is a Queensborough townhouse zone. Maple Ridge retired its RT-1 duplex zone, and its RT-2 is a ground-oriented residential infill zone. Delta uses numbered townhouse zones instead (RT40, RT50, RT62, RT76).
That is why the city always matters. A zone code on a listing or an old survey is only useful once you know which bylaw it comes from, and whether that bylaw is still the one in force.
Check your own lot
Enter the address in ZoneScout to see the zone in force for that lot, how many units it can hold under the city's bylaw and the provincial rules, and the setbacks, height and FSR that apply.
What is R2 zoning in BC? · Vancouver RS-1 is now R1-1
Frequently asked questions
What does RT zoning mean in BC?
RT is usually a two-family or townhouse residential zone. Each municipality defines its own RT zones, so the rules for RT-1 in Vancouver and RT-1 in Coquitlam are different.
What can I build in an RT zone in Vancouver?
Vancouver's RT-1 to RT-11 zones are mostly two-family residential zones, and RT-7 and RT-9 allow multiple dwellings. Height and density differ by zone, so check the zone page or the address.
How do I find out what my RT lot allows?
Search the address in ZoneScout. For covered BC cities it shows the zone in force, the unit count and the main building limits for that lot.