R3 Zoning in Burnaby — Low-Rise Apartment 1
R3 — Low-Rise Apartment 1 is a residential zoning district in the City of Burnaby. The intent of this district is to provide low-rise residential apartment forms of up to 4 storeys, with opportunities for ground-oriented residential and limited neighbourhood-serving commercial uses.
R3 permits 4 storeys by right, rising to as much as 6 only where the bylaw's conditions are met — see the height note below.
Intent of the R3 district
The intent of this district is to provide low-rise residential apartment forms of up to 4 storeys, with opportunities for ground-oriented residential and limited neighbourhood-serving commercial uses.
R3 at a glance
| Max storeys (by right) | 4 |
|---|---|
| Max storeys (conditional) | 6 |
| Zone category | Residential |
4 storeys by right, up to 6 conditional. Base height is 4 storeys. Two additional storeys (6 total) are permitted only where non-market rental housing is provided in a development operated by the City, another government entity, a not-for-profit, a public authority, or a City-approved housing authority (Part 3 s.1.3.4.2). A Community Benefit Bonus may add further storeys at Council discretion, to a maximum of 6 (Table 4-2.3).
Density tiers in R3
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-Rise Apartment 1 | — | — | — | — |
Permitted uses in R3
- Multiple Family Dwellings
- Dormitory (within 800m)
- Emergency Shelter
- Live-Work Units
- Supportive Housing (Cat A & B)
- Active Mobility Hub (secondary)
- Child Care Facility (secondary)
- Community Garden (secondary)
- Energy Generation (secondary)
- Personal and Business Services (secondary)
- Restaurant (secondary)
- Retail (secondary)
- Boarding Use
- Home Occupation
- Multi-Family Flex-Units
- Short-Term Rental
- Accessory Buildings/Structures
R3 zoning FAQ
What is R3 zoning in Burnaby?
R3 (Low-Rise Apartment 1) is a residential zoning district in the City of Burnaby. The intent of this district is to provide low-rise residential apartment forms of up to 4 storeys, with opportunities for ground-oriented residential and limited neighbourhood-serving commercial uses.
What can you build on R3-zoned land in Burnaby?
Permitted uses in R3 include Multiple Family Dwellings, Dormitory (within 800m), Emergency Shelter, Live-Work Units, Supportive Housing (Cat A & B), among others. Permitted uses are allowed outright; conditional uses may require Development Permit Board approval.
How tall can a building be in R3?
R3 permits a maximum of 4 storeys. A further increase to 6 storeys is conditional, not by right. Base height is 4 storeys. Two additional storeys (6 total) are permitted only where non-market rental housing is provided in a development operated by the City, another government entity, a not-for-profit, a public authority, or a City-approved housing authority (Part 3 s.1.3.4.2). A Community Benefit Bonus may add further storeys at Council discretion, to a maximum of 6 (Table 4-2.3). Height can be affected by view corridors, setbacks, and the specific form of development.
Other residential zones in Burnaby
- R1 — SSMUH – 5 to 6 Units (Frequent Transit Network Area only)
- R2 — Townhouse District
- R2r — Townhouse District – Rental
- R3r — Low-Rise Apartment 1 – Rental
- R4 — Low-Rise Apartment 2
- R4r — Low-Rise Apartment 2 – Rental
- R5 — Mid-Rise Apartment 1
- R6 — Mid-Rise Apartment 2
Look up a specific address in Burnaby
Source: official Burnaby zoning bylaw (PDF) · updated August 2026