RMS-1 Zoning in Surrey — Special Care Housing 1 (outside Town Centres)
RMS-1 — Special Care Housing 1 (outside Town Centres) is a residential zoning district in the City of Surrey. Care facilities outside Town Centres.
On a typical RMS-1-zoned lot you can expect up to 1 dwelling unit, an FSR of about 0.5, a maximum height of 9 m, and site coverage up to 25%. Exact figures vary with lot size, frontage, and form of development — look up your specific address to confirm.
Intent of the RMS-1 district
Care facilities outside Town Centres.
RMS-1 at a glance
| Max dwelling units | 1 |
|---|---|
| Floor space ratio (FSR) | 0.5 |
| Max height | 9 m |
| Site coverage | 25% |
| Zone category | Residential |
Density tiers in RMS-1
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Care Housing 1 (outside Town Centres) | — | 1 | 0.5 | 9 m |
Permitted uses in RMS-1
- Care facilities (Community Care & Assisted Living Act)
- 1 operator dwelling unit
- accessory barbershop/hair salon, child care, medical/counselling offices, eating establishment (max 35 seats, no liquor), convenience store
RMS-1 zoning FAQ
What is RMS-1 zoning in Surrey?
RMS-1 (Special Care Housing 1 (outside Town Centres)) is a residential zoning district in the City of Surrey. Care facilities outside Town Centres.
What can you build on RMS-1-zoned land in Surrey?
Permitted uses in RMS-1 include Care facilities (Community Care & Assisted Living Act), 1 operator dwelling unit, accessory barbershop/hair salon, child care, medical/counselling offices, eating establishment (max 35 seats, no liquor), convenience store. Permitted uses are allowed outright; conditional uses may require Development Permit Board approval.
What is the FSR for RMS-1 in Surrey?
Floor Space Ratio (FSR) in RMS-1 is about 0.5. ZoneScout calculates the maximum buildable floor area for your specific lot.
How tall can a building be in RMS-1?
RMS-1 permits a maximum building height of 9 m. Height can be affected by view corridors, setbacks, and the specific form of development.
How many units are allowed in RMS-1 zoning?
RMS-1 allows up to 1 dwelling unit on an eligible lot. Under the Province's Bill 44 Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing rules, most standard residential lots in Surrey now permit multiple units outright. The exact number depends on lot size and whether rental tenure is secured.
Other residential zones in Surrey
- MR1 — Low Density Townhouse
- MR2 — Medium Density Townhouse
- MR3 — Rowhouse
- MR4 — High Density Townhouse
- MR5 — Stacked Townhouse
- MR6 — Low-Rise (4 Storey) Apartment
- MR6-C — Low-Rise (4 Storey) Apartment with Commercial
- MR7 — Low-Rise (5-8 Storey) Apartment
Look up a specific address in Surrey
Source: official Surrey zoning bylaw (PDF) · updated August 2026