RMS-1A Zoning in Surrey — Special Care Housing 1A
RMS-1A — Special Care Housing 1A is a residential zoning district in the City of Surrey. Alcohol and drug recovery houses and single family dwellings.
On a typical RMS-1A-zoned lot you can expect up to 1 dwelling unit, an FSR of roughly 0.48–0.52, a hard cap of 330 m² of floor area however large the lot, a maximum height of 9 m (2 storeys), and site coverage up to 40%. Exact figures vary with lot size, frontage, and form of development — look up your specific address to confirm.
Intent of the RMS-1A district
Alcohol and drug recovery houses and single family dwellings.
RMS-1A at a glance
| Max dwelling units | 1 |
|---|---|
| Floor space ratio (FSR) | 0.48–0.52 |
| Max height | 9 m |
| Max storeys (by right) | 2 |
| Site coverage | 40% |
| Zone category | Residential |
Density tiers in RMS-1A
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Care Housing 1A - lot over 560 m2 | 560 m² | 1 | 0.48 | 9 m |
| Special Care Housing 1A - lot up to 560 m2 | — | 1 | 0.52 | 9 m |
Permitted uses in RMS-1A
- Alcohol and drug recovery house (max 12 persons) OR one single family dwelling
RMS-1A zoning FAQ
What is RMS-1A zoning in Surrey?
RMS-1A (Special Care Housing 1A) is a residential zoning district in the City of Surrey. Alcohol and drug recovery houses and single family dwellings.
What can you build on RMS-1A-zoned land in Surrey?
Permitted uses in RMS-1A include Alcohol and drug recovery house (max 12 persons) OR one single family dwelling. Permitted uses are allowed outright; conditional uses may require Development Permit Board approval.
What is the FSR for RMS-1A in Surrey?
Floor Space Ratio (FSR) in RMS-1A generally ranges from about 0.48 up to 0.52. The ratio is not the whole rule here: floor area is no more than 330 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 RMS-1A?
RMS-1A 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 RMS-1A zoning?
RMS-1A 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