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House in North Vancouver

5,601
Lots where it is allowed
12
Zones
6,820 sq ft (634 m²)
Middle lot size
1,332
Most in Grand Boulevard

5,601 lots in the City of North Vancouver sit in a zone whose rules allow a house. Those 12 zones are Ground Oriented (GO), One-Unit Residential (RS-1), One-Unit Residential (RS-2), Two-Unit Residential (RT-1), Ground-Oriented Residential 1 (RG-1), Ground-Oriented Residential 2 (RG-2), Ground Oriented Residential 2A (RG-2A), Ground-Oriented Residential 3 (RG-3), Ground-Oriented Residential 4 (RG-4), Medium Density Apartment Residential (RM-1), Medium Density Apartment Residential 2 (RM-2) and High Density Apartment Residential (RH-1).

The bylaw does not use the everyday word. It calls this One-Unit Residential Use, and each zone's own section either permits that use or leaves it out. The counts on this page follow those sections, one zone at a time.

The middle lot among them is 6,820 sq ft (634 m²). They run from 500 sq ft (46 m²) to 294,480 sq ft (27,358 m²).

Look up your own lot

Where the zoning allows one

Each zone below lists One-Unit Residential Use in its own section of the City of North Vancouver's zoning bylaw. A zone left off this list does not allow a house, whatever a neighbouring lot has on it already: a building put up under older rules can stay, and that does not make the same thing allowed today.

  • Ground Oriented (GO) 4,876 lots, section 573(1) and Table 576-1

    The City's zone for low-density housing, from a single house up to a small multiplex of 3 to 6 units. It replaced most of the City's single-family and duplex zoning in December 2025.

  • One-Unit Residential (RS-1) 175 lots, section 501(1)

    The City's one-unit residential zone. It allows one house, a suite inside that house, and one coach house at the back of the lot. Most lots in this zone became Ground Oriented in December 2025; these are the ones the change left out.

  • One-Unit Residential (RS-2) 2 lots, section 501(1)

    The City's one-unit residential zone. It allows one house, a suite inside that house, and one coach house at the back of the lot.

  • Two-Unit Residential (RT-1) 144 lots, section 502(1)

    The City's duplex zone: one building with two units, or a single house. Each duplex unit may hold a suite, and a house may add a suite and a coach house.

  • Ground-Oriented Residential 1 (RG-1) 3 lots, section 503(1)

    Low-rise ground-oriented units, with one unit allowed for every 2,225 sq ft (206.7 m²) of lot.

  • Ground-Oriented Residential 2 (RG-2) 2 lots, Figure 562-1, principal use 1

    Townhouses, small rental apartment buildings, duplexes and houses, with floor space up to 0.75 times the lot.

  • Ground Oriented Residential 2A (RG-2A) 2 lots, Figure 562A-1, principal use 1

    Townhouses, small rental apartment buildings, duplexes and houses, with floor space up to 0.75 times the lot and a lower height than RG-2.

  • Ground-Oriented Residential 3 (RG-3) 76 lots, Figure 563-1, principal use 1

    The City's townhouse zone: townhouses, small rental apartment buildings, duplexes and houses, in areas the City's plan marks Residential Level 4A.

  • Ground-Oriented Residential 4 (RG-4) 3 lots, Figure 564-1, principal use 1

    Townhouses, small rental apartment buildings, duplexes and houses, in areas the City's plan marks Residential Level 4B.

  • Medium Density Apartment Residential (RM-1) 282 lots, section 504(1)

    The City's three-storey apartment zone. Section 504 permits apartment buildings, rental apartment buildings, ground-oriented apartments, duplexes and houses.

  • Medium Density Apartment Residential 2 (RM-2) 12 lots, Figure 572-1, principal use 1

    Townhouses and apartment buildings in areas the City's plan marks Residential Level 5, with floor space up to 1.6 times the lot.

  • High Density Apartment Residential (RH-1) 24 lots, section 504(1)

    The City's high-rise apartment zone. Section 504 permits apartment buildings, rental apartment buildings, ground-oriented apartments, duplexes and houses.

How big a lot it needs

The bylaw sets no smallest lot for a house. What fits still depends on the lot: the floor space, the lot coverage and the distances from the property lines below all scale with the lot's own size.

The lot also needs at least 32 ft 10 in (10 m) along the street, unless it already existed when the bylaw took effect. The city's records here hold each lot's area but not the length of its street frontage, so that part is left uncounted and the city can confirm it.

The rules that come with it

The figures below are the ones that decide what fits. Each zone's own page carries the rest, including how the floor space changes with the land use category the city's plan gives a lot.

Ground Oriented (GO)

  • Height: up to 3 storeys.
  • Floor space: 0.85 or 1.0 times the lot area, depending on the category the city's plan gives the lot.
  • Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 45% of the lot.
  • Distance from the property lines: 9 ft 10 in (3 m) at the front, 4 ft 11 in (1.5 m) at the back and 3 ft 11 in (1.2 m) at each side.
  • Permits: development permit and building permit, unless the work is exempt.

One-Unit Residential (RS-1)

  • Height: up to 26 ft 3 in to the top of the wall, 33 ft 2 in with the roof.
  • Floor space: up to 0.49 times the lot area, so 2,615 sq ft (243 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
  • Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 40% of the lot.
  • Distance from the property lines: 15 ft 1 in (4.6 m) at the front, 26 ft 3 in (8 m) at the back and 3 ft 11 in (1.2 m) at each side.
  • Permits: development permit and building permit, for a coach house.

One-Unit Residential (RS-2)

  • Height: up to 26 ft 3 in to the top of the wall, 33 ft 2 in with the roof.
  • Floor space: up to 0.49 times the lot area, so 2,615 sq ft (243 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
  • Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 40% of the lot.
  • Distance from the property lines: 15 ft 1 in (4.6 m) at the front, 26 ft 3 in (8 m) at the back and 3 ft 11 in (1.2 m) at each side.
  • Permits: development permit and building permit, for a coach house.

Two-Unit Residential (RT-1)

  • Height: up to 26 ft 3 in to the top of the wall, 33 ft 2 in with the roof.
  • Floor space: up to 0.5 times the lot area, so 2,691 sq ft (250 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
  • Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 35% of the lot.
  • Distance from the property lines: 15 ft 1 in (4.6 m) at the front, 26 ft 3 in (8 m) at the back and 3 ft 11 in (1.2 m) at each side.

Ground-Oriented Residential 1 (RG-1)

  • Height: up to 2 storeys, 25 ft.
  • Floor space: up to 0.49 times the lot area, so 2,637 sq ft (245 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
  • Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 35% of the lot.
  • Distance from the property lines: 20 ft (6.096 m) at the front, 20 ft (6.096 m) at the back and 20 ft (6.096 m) at each side.

Ground-Oriented Residential 2 (RG-2)

  • Height: up to 39 ft 4 in building envelope.
  • Floor space: up to 0.5 times the lot area, so 2,691 sq ft (250 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
  • Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 50% of the lot.
  • Distance from the property lines: 9 ft 10 in (3 m) at the front, 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at the back and 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at each side.
  • Floor space can rise to 0.75 times the lot area with an amenity contribution, a special setback dedication and a high energy step (Passive House or the BC Energy Step Code), sections 411 and 418 to 421.
  • Permits: development permit and building permit.

Ground Oriented Residential 2A (RG-2A)

  • Height: up to 27 ft building envelope.
  • Floor space: up to 0.75 times the lot area, so 4,036 sq ft (375 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
  • Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 40% of the lot.
  • Distance from the property lines: 9 ft 10 in (3 m) at the front, 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at the back and 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at each side.
  • Permits: development permit and building permit.

Ground-Oriented Residential 3 (RG-3)

  • Height: up to 39 ft 4 in building envelope.
  • Floor space: up to 0.5 times the lot area, so 2,691 sq ft (250 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
  • Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 60% of the lot.
  • Distance from the property lines: 9 ft 10 in (3 m) at the front, 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at the back and 7 ft 10 in (2.4 m) at each side.
  • Floor space can rise to 1.0 times the lot area with an amenity contribution, a special setback dedication and a high energy step (Passive House or the BC Energy Step Code), sections 411 and 418 to 421.
  • Permits: development permit and building permit.

Ground-Oriented Residential 4 (RG-4)

  • Height: up to 49 ft 3 in building envelope.
  • Floor space: up to 0.5 times the lot area, so 2,691 sq ft (250 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
  • Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 60% of the lot.
  • Distance from the property lines: 9 ft 10 in (3 m) at the front, 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at the back and 7 ft 10 in (2.4 m) at each side.
  • Floor space can rise to 1.25 times the lot area with an amenity contribution, a special setback dedication and a high energy step (Passive House or the BC Energy Step Code), sections 411 and 418 to 421.
  • Permits: development permit and building permit.

Medium Density Apartment Residential (RM-1)

  • Height: up to 3 storeys, 42 ft 8 in.
  • Floor space: up to 1.0 times the lot area, so 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
  • Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 50% of the lot.
  • Distance from the property lines: 20 ft (6.096 m) at the front, 20 ft (6.096 m) at the back and 15 ft (4.57 m) at each side.
  • Floor space can rise to 1.6 times the lot area with adaptable design under section 423.

Medium Density Apartment Residential 2 (RM-2)

  • Height: up to 49 ft 3 in building envelope.
  • Floor space: up to 0.5 times the lot area, so 2,691 sq ft (250 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
  • Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 60% of the lot.
  • Distance from the property lines: 9 ft 10 in (3 m) at the front, 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) at the back and 7 ft 10 in (2.4 m) at each side.
  • Floor space can rise to 1.6 times the lot area with an amenity contribution, a special setback dedication and a high energy step (Passive House or the BC Energy Step Code), sections 411 and 418 to 421.
  • Permits: development permit and building permit.

High Density Apartment Residential (RH-1)

  • Height: up to 100 ft.
  • Floor space: up to 1.2 times the lot area, so 6,458 sq ft (600 m²) on a 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) lot.
  • Lot coverage: buildings may sit on up to 50% of the lot.
  • Distance from the property lines: 25 ft (7.62 m) at the front, 25 ft (7.62 m) at the back and 25 ft (7.62 m) at each side.
  • Floor space can rise to 2.6 times the lot area with adaptable design under section 423.

Where they are in the city

The 5,601 lots that allow a house sit across 9 of the neighbourhoods the City of North Vancouver maps. Grand Boulevard holds the most, 1,332 of them, which is 24%.

Lots where the zoning allows one

24 of the 5,601 lots, taken across the city. Each address opens that lot's own page, with its zone, its size, the number of units allowed and the full breakdown. To check one address, use the box at the foot of this page.

Every kind of property North Vancouver (City) allows , each with the zones that allow it and the sections of the bylaw behind them.

Questions

Can I build a house in North Vancouver?

On 5,601 lots, yes, because their zoning allows it. That is 83% of the 6,781 lots the City of North Vancouver records. Whether your own lot is one of them depends on its zone, so look the address up.

Which zones allow a house in North Vancouver?

Ground Oriented (GO), under section 573(1) and Table 576-1, One-Unit Residential (RS-1), under section 501(1), One-Unit Residential (RS-2), under section 501(1), Two-Unit Residential (RT-1), under section 502(1), Ground-Oriented Residential 1 (RG-1), under section 503(1), Ground-Oriented Residential 2 (RG-2), under Figure 562-1, principal use 1, Ground Oriented Residential 2A (RG-2A), under Figure 562A-1, principal use 1, Ground-Oriented Residential 3 (RG-3), under Figure 563-1, principal use 1, Ground-Oriented Residential 4 (RG-4), under Figure 564-1, principal use 1, Medium Density Apartment Residential (RM-1), under section 504(1), Medium Density Apartment Residential 2 (RM-2), under Figure 572-1, principal use 1 and High Density Apartment Residential (RH-1), under section 504(1). Each zone's page lists its own height, floor space and setback figures.

What does the zoning bylaw call a house?

One-Unit Residential Use. The bylaw uses its own names for kinds of housing, and a zone allows only the ones its section lists, so the name matters when you read the bylaw yourself.

How tall can a house be in North Vancouver?

It depends on the zone: GO up to 3 storeys, RS-1 up to 26 ft 3 in to the top of the wall, 33 ft 2 in with the roof, RS-2 up to 26 ft 3 in to the top of the wall, 33 ft 2 in with the roof, RT-1 up to 26 ft 3 in to the top of the wall, 33 ft 2 in with the roof, RG-1 up to 2 storeys, 25 ft, RG-2 up to 39 ft 4 in building envelope, RG-2A up to 27 ft building envelope, RG-3 up to 39 ft 4 in building envelope, RG-4 up to 49 ft 3 in building envelope, RM-1 up to 3 storeys, 42 ft 8 in, RM-2 up to 49 ft 3 in building envelope and RH-1 up to 100 ft.

How much parking does a house need in North Vancouver?

0.5 spaces per unit in the zones that set a rate, rounded the way the zone's own section rounds it. Zones that set no rate are marked on their own pages.

Which parts of North Vancouver have the most lots where a house is allowed?

Grand Boulevard with 1,332, Mahon with 848 and Central Lonsdale with 826. Every neighbourhood with lots that allow it is listed on this page, each linking to its own page.

Where do these figures come from?

Every count on this page is worked out from the City of North Vancouver's own lot, zoning and land use records, downloaded on September 19, 2026, and every rule is quoted from the section of the zoning bylaw named beside it. Nothing here is an estimate. The city decides what it will approve, so treat this as a starting point and confirm with the city before you design.

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