RA-1 Zoning in Vancouver — Limited Agricultural
RA-1 — Limited Agricultural is a residential zoning district in the City of Vancouver. The intent of this schedule is to maintain and encourage the semi-rural, equestrian and limited agricultural nature of the area, and to permit single detached houses and, in specific circumstances, infill single detached houses.
On a typical RA-1-zoned lot you can expect up to 1 dwelling unit, an FSR of about 0.1 — but never less than 334 m² of floor area, a hard cap of 836 m² of floor area however large the lot, a maximum height of 9.2 m (3 storeys), and site coverage up to 8%. Exact figures vary with lot size, frontage, and form of development — look up your specific address to confirm.
Intent of the RA-1 district
The intent of this schedule is to maintain and encourage the semi-rural, equestrian and limited agricultural nature of the area, and to permit single detached houses and, in specific circumstances, infill single detached houses.
RA-1 at a glance
| Max dwelling units | 1 |
|---|---|
| Floor space ratio (FSR) | 0.1 |
| Max height | 9.2 m |
| Max storeys (by right) | 3 |
| Site coverage | 8% |
| Zone category | Residential |
Density tiers in RA-1
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limited Agricultural | 9100 m² | 1 | 0.1 | 9.2 m |
Permitted uses in RA-1
- Single Detached House
- Infill Single Detached House (conditional)
- Dwelling Unit in combination with a Single Detached House (caretaker, conditional)
- Seniors Supportive or Independent Living Housing
- Community Care or Assisted Living Facility
- Group Residence
- Greenhouse
- Nursery
- Field Crop or Fruit Farm
- Stable
- Riding Ring
- Farmers’ Market
- Retail Store in combination with an agricultural use
- Public Authority Use
- Public Bike Share
RA-1 zoning FAQ
What is RA-1 zoning in Vancouver?
RA-1 (Limited Agricultural) is a residential zoning district in the City of Vancouver. The intent of this schedule is to maintain and encourage the semi-rural, equestrian and limited agricultural nature of the area, and to permit single detached houses and, in specific circumstances, infill single detached houses.
What can you build on RA-1-zoned land in Vancouver?
Permitted uses in RA-1 include Single Detached House, Infill Single Detached House (conditional), Dwelling Unit in combination with a Single Detached House (caretaker, conditional), Seniors Supportive or Independent Living Housing, Community Care or Assisted Living Facility, among others. Permitted uses are allowed outright; conditional uses may require Development Permit Board approval.
What is the FSR for RA-1 in Vancouver?
Floor Space Ratio (FSR) in RA-1 is about 0.1. The ratio is not the whole rule here: floor area is at least 334 m² and no more than 836 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 RA-1?
RA-1 permits a maximum building height of 9.2 m, generally about 3 storeys. Height can be affected by view corridors, setbacks, and the specific form of development.
How many units are allowed in RA-1 zoning?
RA-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 Vancouver now permit multiple units outright. The exact number depends on lot size and whether rental tenure is secured.
Other residential zones in Vancouver
- FM-1 — Fraser Mile
- FSD — First Shaughnessy District
- R1-1 — Residential Inclusive (
- R3-1 — Residential Rental
- R3-2 — Residential Low-Rise Apartment (Rental)
- R3-3 — Residential Low-Rise Apartment
- R4-1 — Residential Mid-Rise Apartment
- R5-1 — Residential High-Rise Apartment
Look up a specific address in Vancouver
Source: official Vancouver zoning bylaw (PDF) · updated August 2026