RM-8A zoning in Vancouver: what can you build?
Townhouse / Rowhouse (3-storey, unit mix)
On a standard lot with a rear lane, RM-8A allows up to 4 units on a 33 × 122 ft lot (duplex with secondary suites); up to 8 units on a 50 × 122 ft lot (townhouse); up to 10 units on a 66 × 122 ft lot (townhouse). These figures come from running BuildHere’s engine on each lot size with the Vancouver 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 | Up to 4 units | Duplex with secondary suites | 3,019 sq ft |
| 50 × 122 ft6,100 sq ft | Up to 8 units | Townhouse | 6,168 sq ft |
| 66 × 122 ft8,052 sq ft | Up to 10 units | Townhouse | 8,510 sq ft |
Building options on a 33 × 122 ft lot
| Option | Status | Units | Max floor area |
|---|---|---|---|
| TownhouseSite area 4,026 sq ft is below the 4,790 sq ft minimum. The Director of Planning may reduce or vary it. | Not allowed | – | - |
| Freehold rowhouseSite area 4,026 sq ft is below the 4,790 sq ft minimum. The Director of Planning may reduce or vary it. | Not allowed | – | - |
| Triplex | Allowed | 3 | 3,066 sq ft |
| Duplex with secondary suites | Allowed | 4 | 3,019 sq ft |
| Duplex | Allowed | 2 | 3,019 sq ft |
| Single detached house with secondary suite | Allowed | 2 | 2,415 sq ft |
| Single detached house | Allowed | 1 | 2,415 sq ft |
| Single detached house with secondary suite and laneway house | Allowed | 3 | 3,422 sq ft |
| Single detached house and laneway house | Allowed | 2 | 3,422 sq ft |
Size limits for duplex with secondary suites on a 33 × 122 ft lot
| Max floor area (FSR 0.75) | 3,019 sq ft | RM-8 s.3.4.1.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Max height | 35.1 ft, 3 storeys | RM-8 s.3.4.2.2 |
| Site coverage | 45% of site | RM-8 s.3.4.2.6 |
| Front setback | 16.1 ft | RM-8 s.3.4.2.3 |
| Side setback | 3.9 ft | RM-8 s.3.1.2.5, 3.2.2.5, 3.3.2.4, 3.4.2.4 |
| Rear setback | 3.3 ft | RM-8 s.3.4.2.5 |
| Interior exclusions (max) | +0 sq ft under sloping roofs | RM-8 s.4.1.2 |
| Service + outdoor (max) | 0 sq ft service (parking, mechanical, bicycle); 0 sq ft balconies, decks, porches | RM-8 s.4.1.2 |
| Rough building footprint | up to 1,227 sq ft | Estimate, not a design |
| Parking stalls required | None | Parking By-law s.4.1.1, 4.1.3, 4.1.4 |
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 Vancouver.
Common questions
How many units can I build in RM-8A zoning in Vancouver?
With a rear lane and outside a frequent-transit area, RM-8A allows up to 4 units on a 33 × 122 ft lot (duplex with secondary suites); up to 8 units on a 50 × 122 ft lot (townhouse); up to 10 units on a 66 × 122 ft lot (townhouse). 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-8A rules come from?
From Zoning and Development By-law No. 3575, RM-8 and RM-8A Districts Schedule, June 2026 consolidation (rules approved 2026-10-13). Preliminary screening only. Verify with the City of Vancouver.
Other Vancouver zones
R1-1RM-2RM-3RM-3ARM-4RM-7RM-7ARM-8RM-9ARM-10RM-11RM-12RT-2RT-3RT-5RT-7RT-8RT-10RT-11R3-1R3-2R3-3R5-1R5-2R5-3R5-4FM-1FSDRA-1R4-1RM-1RM-5RM-5ARM-5BRM-5CRM-5DRM-6RM-9RM-9BRR-2ARR-2BRR-3ARR-3BRR-3CRT-1RT-4RT-4ART-9