High Density Residential Zones in Burnaby
Compare covered Burnaby zoning districts with a Floor Space Ratio above 1.5.
Why this matters
FSR describes floor area relative to lot area. Height, setbacks, coverage and permitted uses also shape what can be built. A higher FSR alone does not establish permission for a tower.
Category leaders
- Highest FSR: 6.1 (RM5, RM5r, RM5s)
- Tallest: 12 m (RM3, RM3r, RM3s, RM7, RM7r)
"Most units" only counts zones with a hard dwelling-unit cap in the bylaw. Zones marked "By FSR" have no unit cap; the floor space ratio and height envelope set how much can be built.
Compare all 15 zones
| Zone | Name | FSR | Unit cap | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RM3 | Legacy MF Residential – Medium Density | 0.9–2.05 | By FSR | 12 m / 3 st |
| RM3r | Legacy MF Residential – Medium Density | 0.9–2.05 | By FSR | 12 m / 3 st |
| RM3s | Legacy MF Residential – Medium Density | 0.9–2.05 | By FSR | 12 m / 3 st |
| RM4 | Legacy MF Residential – Medium-High Density | 1.4–4.45 | By FSR | — |
| RM4r | Legacy MF Residential – Medium-High Density | 1.4–4.45 | By FSR | — |
| RM4s | Legacy MF Residential – Medium-High Density | 1.4–4.45 | By FSR | — |
| RM4uv-a | Legacy MF Residential – Medium-High Density | 1.4–1.7 | By FSR | — |
| RM5 | Legacy MF Residential – High Density | 1.8–6.1 | By FSR | — |
| RM5r | Legacy MF Residential – High Density | 1.8–6.1 | By FSR | — |
| RM5s | Legacy MF Residential – High Density | 1.8–6.1 | By FSR | — |
| RM5uv-a | Legacy MF Residential – High Density | 1.8–2.4 | By FSR | — |
| RM5uv-b | Legacy MF Residential – High Density | 1.8–2.2 | By FSR | — |
| RM5uv-c | Legacy MF Residential – High Density | 1.8–1.9 | By FSR | — |
| RM7 | Hastings Village MF – 3.5 Storey | 0.9–1.65 | By FSR | 12 m / 3.5 st |
| RM7r | Hastings Village MF – 3.5 Storey | 0.9–1.65 | By FSR | 12 m / 3.5 st |
Frequently asked questions
How many Burnaby zones are high-density zones?
15 in-force Burnaby zones allow a floor space ratio (FSR) above 1.5: RM3, RM3r, RM3s, RM4, RM4r, RM4s, RM4uv-a, RM5, RM5r, RM5s, RM5uv-a, RM5uv-b, RM5uv-c, RM7 and RM7r.
Which Burnaby zone allows the highest FSR?
RM5, RM5r and RM5s allow up to 6.1 FSR, the highest in this group.
What is the tallest building allowed in these Burnaby zones?
RM3, RM3r, RM3s, RM7 and RM7r allow up to 12 m, the tallest in this group.
Does the zone alone decide what I can build?
No. Lot size, frontage, servicing, transit access and site-specific conditions can change what a Burnaby lot allows. A ZoneScout report for the address applies them.