RTA Zoning in Richmond — Arterial Road Three-Unit Dwellings (RTA)
RTA — Arterial Road Three-Unit Dwellings (RTA) is a residential zoning district in the City of Richmond. The zone provides for three dwelling units on a single lot fronting an arterial road, plus other compatible uses.
On a typical RTA-zoned lot you can expect up to 3 dwelling units, an FSR of about 0.6, a hard cap of 501.7 m² of floor area however large the lot, a maximum height of 9 m (2 storeys), and site coverage up to 45%. Exact figures vary with lot size, frontage, and form of development — look up your specific address to confirm.
Intent of the RTA district
The zone provides for three dwelling units on a single lot fronting an arterial road, plus other compatible uses.
RTA at a glance
| Max dwelling units | 3 |
|---|---|
| Floor space ratio (FSR) | 0.6 |
| Max height | 9 m |
| Max storeys (by right) | 2 |
| Site coverage | 45% |
| Zone category | Residential |
Density tiers in RTA
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arterial Road Three-Unit Dwellings (RTA) | — | 3 | 0.6 | 9 m |
Permitted uses in RTA
- Three-unit housing
- secondary suite
- home business
- community care facility
- boarding and lodging
RTA zoning FAQ
What is RTA zoning in Richmond?
RTA (Arterial Road Three-Unit Dwellings (RTA)) is a residential zoning district in the City of Richmond. The zone provides for three dwelling units on a single lot fronting an arterial road, plus other compatible uses.
What can you build on RTA-zoned land in Richmond?
Permitted uses in RTA include Three-unit housing, secondary suite, home business, community care facility, boarding and lodging. Permitted uses are allowed outright; conditional uses may require Development Permit Board approval.
What is the FSR for RTA in Richmond?
Floor Space Ratio (FSR) in RTA is about 0.6. The ratio is not the whole rule here: floor area is no more than 501.7 m², so on many lots the absolute figure governs rather than the ratio. ZoneScout calculates the maximum buildable floor area for your specific lot.
How tall can a building be in RTA?
RTA permits a maximum building height of 9 m, generally about 2 storeys. Height can be affected by view corridors, setbacks, and the specific form of development.
How many units are allowed in RTA zoning?
RTA allows up to 3 dwelling units on an eligible lot. Under the Province's Bill 44 Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing rules, most standard residential lots in Richmond now permit multiple units outright. The exact number depends on lot size and whether rental tenure is secured.
Other residential zones in Richmond
- RAH1 — High Density Low Rise Apartments (RAH1)
- RAH2 — High Density Low Rise Apartments (RAH2)
- RAL1 — Low Density Low Rise Apartments (RAL1)
- RAL2 — Low Density Low Rise Apartments (RAL2)
- RAM1 — Medium Density Low Rise Apartments (RAM1)
- RAM2 — Medium Density Low Rise Apartments (RAM2)
- RAM3 — Medium Density Low Rise Apartments (RAM3)
- RC1 — Compact Single Detached (RC1)
Look up a specific address in Richmond
Source: official Richmond zoning bylaw (PDF) · updated August 2026