RD3 zoning in West Vancouver: what can you build?
Duplex Dwelling 3
On a standard lot with a rear lane, RD3 allows up to 4 units on a 33 × 122 ft lot (four ground-oriented dwellings); up to 4 units on a 50 × 122 ft lot (duplex with a secondary suite in each unit); up to 4 units on a 66 × 122 ft lot (duplex with a secondary suite in each unit). These figures come from running BuildHere’s engine on each lot size with the West 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 | Four ground-oriented dwellings | 2,013 sq ft |
| 50 × 122 ft6,100 sq ft | Up to 4 units | Duplex with a secondary suite in each unit | 3,050 sq ft |
| 66 × 122 ft8,052 sq ft | Up to 4 units | Duplex with a secondary suite in each unit | 4,026 sq ft |
Building options on a 33 × 122 ft lot
| Option | Status | Units | Max floor area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single family dwelling | Allowed | 1 | 2,013 sq ft |
| Single family dwelling with secondary suite | Allowed | 2 | 2,013 sq ft |
| Single family dwelling with detached secondary suite | Allowed | 2 | 2,013 sq ft |
| DuplexA duplex needs a site of at least 6,001 sq ft; this site is 4,026 sq ft. | Not allowed | – | - |
| Duplex with a secondary suite in each unitA duplex needs a site of at least 6,001 sq ft; this site is 4,026 sq ft. | Not allowed | – | - |
| Three ground-oriented dwellings | Allowed | 3 | 2,013 sq ft |
| Four ground-oriented dwellings | Allowed | 4 | 2,013 sq ft |
| Five ground-oriented dwellingsThe zone allows up to 4 dwellings on this site (6 need a prescribed bus stop within 1,312.3 ft and a site over 3,014 sq ft). | Not allowed | – | - |
| Six ground-oriented dwellingsThe zone allows up to 4 dwellings on this site (6 need a prescribed bus stop within 1,312.3 ft and a site over 3,014 sq ft). | Not allowed | – | - |
Size limits for four ground-oriented dwellings on a 33 × 122 ft lot
| Max floor area (FSR 0.50) | 2,013 sq ft | WV RD3 s.253.06, 253.07 |
|---|---|---|
| Max height | 24.9 ft, about 2 storeys | WV RD3 s.253 |
| Site coverage | 40% of site | WV RD3 s.253 |
| Front setback | 24.9 ft | WV RD3 s.253 |
| Side setback | 5.0 ft | WV RD3 s.253 |
| Rear setback | 29.9 ft | WV RD3 s.253 |
| Rough building footprint | up to 1,550 sq ft | Estimate, not a design |
| Parking stalls required | 4 stalls (minimum) | WV s.141, 144 |
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 West Vancouver.
Common questions
How many units can I build in RD3 zoning in West Vancouver?
With a rear lane and outside a frequent-transit area, RD3 allows up to 4 units on a 33 × 122 ft lot (four ground-oriented dwellings); up to 4 units on a 50 × 122 ft lot (duplex with a secondary suite in each unit); up to 4 units on a 66 × 122 ft lot (duplex with a secondary suite in each unit). 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 RD3 rules come from?
From District of West Vancouver Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, 2010: Section 200 (RS1 to RS10, RS2-UL, RS3-UL, RS8-UL, RS10-UL), Section 250 (RD1 to RD3, small-scale multi-unit housing, Bylaw 5351), Section 260 (RG-1A to RG-3) and Section 300 (RM1 to RM5), Section PDFs published on westvancouver.ca, with amendments to Bylaw 5351 (2024); the list of amendments is dated April 2026 consolidation (rules approved 2026-10-19). Preliminary screening only. Verify with the District of West Vancouver.
Other West Vancouver zones
RS1RS2RS3RS4RS5RS6RS7RS8RS9RS10RS2-ULRS3-ULRS8-ULRS10-ULRD1RD2RG-1ARG-1BRG-2RG-3RM1RM2RM3RM4RM5