RM-1 zoning in White Rock: what can you build?
Low Density Multi-Unit Residential
On a standard lot with a rear lane, RM-1 allows about 2 units on a 33 × 122 ft lot (townhouses); about 3 units on a 50 × 122 ft lot (townhouses); about 4 units on a 66 × 122 ft lot (townhouses). These figures come from running BuildHere’s engine on each lot size with the White Rock 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 | About 2 units | Townhouses | 2,511 sq ft |
| 50 × 122 ft6,100 sq ft | About 3 units | Townhouses | 4,986 sq ft |
| 66 × 122 ft8,052 sq ft | About 4 units | Townhouses | 7,246 sq ft |
Building options on a 33 × 122 ft lot
| Option | Status | Units | Max floor area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Townhouses | Allowed | About 2 | 2,511 sq ft |
| Apartment building | Allowed | About 2 | 2,511 sq ft |
Size limits for townhouses on a 33 × 122 ft lot
| Max floor area (FSR 0.62) | 2,511 sq ft | WR RM-1 s.6.8.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Max height | 25.3 ft, about 2 storeys | WR RM-1 s.6 |
| Site coverage | 45% of site | WR RM-1 s.6 |
| Front setback | 24.6 ft | WR RM-1 s.6 |
| Side setback | 7.9 ft | WR RM-1 s.6 |
| Rear setback | 24.6 ft | WR RM-1 s.6 |
| Rough building footprint | up to 1,259 sq ft | Estimate, not a design |
| Parking stalls required | 5 stalls (minimum) | WR s.4.14.1 |
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 White Rock.
Common questions
How many units can I build in RM-1 zoning in White Rock?
With a rear lane and outside a frequent-transit area, RM-1 allows about 2 units on a 33 × 122 ft lot (townhouses); about 3 units on a 50 × 122 ft lot (townhouses); about 4 units on a 66 × 122 ft lot (townhouses). 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-1 rules come from?
From City of White Rock Zoning Bylaw, 2024, No. 2506, consolidated as of June 2026: s.4.14 Off-Street Parking Requirements, s.4.10 and 4.11 floor area, s.6.1 to 6.11 (RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RI-1, RE-1, RE-2, RM-1 to RM-4 zones), Consolidated for convenience, June 2026 consolidation (rules approved 2026-10-20). Preliminary screening only. Verify with the City of White Rock.