RM-5 zoning in New Westminster: what can you build?
Multiple Dwelling (Medium Rise)
On a standard lot with a rear lane, RM-5 allows about 9 units on a 50 × 122 ft lot (medium-rise multiple dwelling); about 12 units on a 66 × 122 ft lot (medium-rise multiple dwelling). These figures come from running BuildHere’s engine on each lot size with the New Westminster rules for this zone.
Most units by lot size
| Lot (with lane) | Most units | Building form | Max floor area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 × 122 ft4,026 sq ft | None outright | – | – |
| 50 × 122 ft6,100 sq ft | About 9 units | Medium-rise multiple dwelling | 8,234 sq ft |
| 66 × 122 ft8,052 sq ft | About 12 units | Medium-rise multiple dwelling | 10,979 sq ft |
Building options on a 50 × 122 ft lot
| Option | Status | Units | Max floor area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium-rise multiple dwelling | Allowed | About 9 | 8,234 sq ft |
Size limits for medium-rise multiple dwelling on a 50 × 122 ft lot
| Max floor area (FSR 1.35) | 8,234 sq ft | NW RM-5 s.450.15 |
|---|---|---|
| Max height | 65.0 ft, about 6 storeys | NW RM-5 s.450 |
| Site coverage | 40% of site | NW RM-5 s.450 |
| Front setback | 25.0 ft | NW RM-5 s.450 |
| Side setback | 15.0 ft | NW RM-5 s.450 |
| Rear setback | 24.4 ft | NW RM-5 s.450 |
| Rough building footprint | up to 1,453 sq ft | Estimate, not a design |
| Parking stalls required | 11 stalls (minimum) | NW s.140.9 |
Your lot will differ.
Frontage, depth, lane access, corner lots and frequent-transit areas all change the answer. Search your address for a report on the real lot in New Westminster.
Common questions
How many units can I build in RM-5 zoning in New Westminster?
With a rear lane and outside a frequent-transit area, RM-5 allows about 9 units on a 50 × 122 ft lot (medium-rise multiple dwelling); about 12 units on a 66 × 122 ft lot (medium-rise multiple dwelling). Smaller lots fall short of the zone's minimums. Your own lot's frontage, depth and location change the result.
What is FSR?
Floor space ratio (FSR) is a building’s total floor area divided by the lot area. An FSR of 1.0 on a 4,026 sq ft lot allows about 4,026 sq ft of floor area across all storeys. Some bylaws, such as Burnaby’s R1, set no FSR at all; there BuildHere shows an effective FSR worked out from the height, setback and lot coverage limits.
Where do these RM-5 rules come from?
From City of New Westminster Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001: Section 314 (RS-5), 315 (RS-6), 324 (NR-5), 331 (RQ-5), 410 to 413 (RT-2, RT-2A, RT-2B, RT-2C), 420 to 422 (RM-1, RM-1A, RM-1B), 431 (RM-2A), 440 (RM-4), 450 (RM-5), 451 (RM-5A), 460 (RM-6, RM-6A, RM-6B); Section 462 (RM-6C), 470 (RW-1), 471 (RMW-2), 472 (RMW-2A), 473 (RMW-3), 474 (RMW-3A), 475 (RMW-3B); Section 462 (RM-6C), 470 (RW-1), 471 (RMW-2), 472 (RMW-2A), 473 (RMW-3), 474 (RMW-3A), 475 (RMW-3B), Consolidation as of June 8, 2026 (section footers 2022-02-28 to 2026-02-23) consolidation (rules approved 2026-10-19). Preliminary screening only. Verify with the City of New Westminster.
Other New Westminster zones
RGO-ARGO-BRS-1RS-2RS-4NR-1NR-2RQ-1RT-ART-BRT-1RT-2DRT-2ERT-2FRT-3RT-3ART-3BRM-2RS-5RS-6NR-5RQ-5RT-2RT-2ART-2BRT-2CRM-1RM-1ARM-1BRM-2ARM-4RM-5ARM-6RM-6ARM-6BRMW-2RMW-2ARMW-3RMW-3ARMW-3BRM-6CRW-1