R3r Zoning in Burnaby - Low-Rise Apartment 1 – Rental
Tracked amendment July 1, 2026: Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 (No. 14815) replaces the 1965 rules. Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Bylaw No. 14815. See Burnaby zoning changes
R3r: Low-Rise Apartment 1 – Rental 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.
R3r permits 4 storeys by right, rising to as much as 6 only where the bylaw's conditions are met. See the height note below.
Alongside housing, R3r also lists dormitory (within 800m), Emergency Shelter, and Live-Work Units among its permitted uses.
Intent of the R3r 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. This sub-district applies the same regulations as the R3 District, with all dwelling units restricted to purpose-built rental housing.
R3r 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 R3r
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | Base FSR | Bonus FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-Rise Apartment 1 – Rental | - | - | - | - | - |
Permitted uses in R3r
- 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
R3r zoning FAQ
What is R3r zoning in Burnaby?
R3r (Low-Rise Apartment 1 – Rental) 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 R3r-zoned land in Burnaby?
Permitted uses in R3r 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 R3r?
R3r 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
- R3 - Low-Rise Apartment 1
- 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 October 2026