FERNIE real estate Zoning

Residential Zoning in Fernie

The City of Fernie introduced major zoning bylaw modifications during June 2024 to fulfill British Columbia's provincial requirement for denser housing development in municipalities exceeding 5,000 population. The city combined multiple residential zones into a single new 'RSS – Residential - Small-Scale' zone through these changes. The new zoning allows properties exceeding 280 square meters to build four dwelling units and properties measuring between 250 and 280 square meters to construct three units.

The revised bylaws established 1.5 meters as the minimum setback requirement for rear and side yards which enables developers to create more flexible property designs. The zoning regulations introduced modifications to building height limits and parcel coverage rules to support the construction of duplexes and triplexes and small multiplexes.

The zoning modifications work to increase density gradually in existing residential areas while creating more affordable housing choices with diverse options. Through the authorization of multiple residential units on current residential properties Fernie aims to reduce housing shortages and make properties more affordable for local residents. 

The new zoning regulations apply to all development permit and building permit and development variance permit applications submitted after June 12, 2024. 

The City of Fernie maintains its official zoning page as the primary source for detailed information.

Regional District of East Kootenay Zoning

The City of Fernie supports higher-density housing through new zoning bylaws but the RDEK governs rural areas with their current zoning frameworks. The areas that attract buyers seeking bigger properties and vacation homes and development opportunities maintain their established zoning categories including RR-1 (Rural Residential), SH-1 (Small Holdings) and RS-1 (Single Family Residential). The provincial Bill 44 requires zoning updates for secondary suites and additional units but RDEK implements these changes through multiple zoning areas. The adoption of zoning bylaw amendments remains pending so buyers and investors need to study existing zoning regulations to determine permitted uses and limitations for each property. The review of current zoning bylaws becomes essential for anyone who wants to establish short-term rentals or develop multi-unit properties or operate home-based businesses.

Helpful RDEK zoning links:

R1 - SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

Purpose
The purpose of the R1 zone is to provide for single family detached housing.

Permitted Uses
The following uses, and no other, are permitted in the R1 zone.

1. Single detached dwelling except manufactured home or mobile home;
2. Uses permitted under Section 3.3 of this Bylaw.

Accessory Uses
1. Home occupation;
2. Secondary suite;
3. Buildings and structures accessory to a permitted use.

R1 - Single Family Residential Zoning Bylaw

R1SL – Single Family Residential Small Lot

Purpose
The purpose of the R1SL zone is to create a zone to allow conforming status to be obtained for certain existing residential parcels that do not meet the minimum parcel frontage and minimum parcel area requirements of the R1 zone and to permit parcels to be created with reduced parcel frontage and smaller parcel area for the purpose of development of detached single detached dwellings than as permitted in other residential zones.

Permitted Uses
The following uses, and no other, are permitted in the R1SL zone:
1. Single detached dwelling;
2. Manufactured Homes;
3. Uses permitted under Section 3.3 of this Bylaw.

Accessory Uses
1. Uses, buildings and structures accessory to permitted use;
2. Home occupation;
3. Secondary Suite.

R1SL – Single Family Residential Small Lot Zoning Bylaw

R1B - SINGLE DETACHED PLUS RESIDENTIAL

Purpose
The purpose of the R1B Zone is to provide for the development of single-detached residential units with the option of developing a secondary residential dwelling unit in the form of an attached or detached residential unit.

Permitted Uses
The following uses, and no other, are permitted in the R1B zone.
1. single family detached dwelling except manufactured home or mobile home;
2. uses permitted under Section 3.3 of this Bylaw.

Accessory Uses
1. home occupations;
2. uses, buildings and structures accessory to permitted use;
3. secondary dwelling unit 

R1B - Single Detached Plus Residential Zoning Bylaw

R-WF – LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL – WEST FERNIE

Purpose
The purpose of this zone is to provide for the development of single-detached residential units with the option of developing a secondary residential dwelling unit and the development of duplexes.

Permitted Uses
The following uses, and no other, are permitted in the R-WF zone.
1. Single Detached Dwelling including manufactured home and excluding mobile home;
2. Duplex Dwellings

Accessory Uses
1. Home occupation;
2. Buildings and structures accessory to a permitted use;
3. Secondary Dwelling Unit subject to 4.2.3.4 

R-WF – Low Density Residential - West Fernie - Zoning Bylaw

R2 – DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL

Purpose
The purpose of the R2 zone is to provide for low density residential development in the form of single detached, semi detached and duplex dwellings.

Permitted Uses
The following uses, and no other, are permitted in the R2 Zone.
1. Single detached dwelling except manufactured home or mobile home;
2. Duplex;
3. Uses permitted under Section 3.3 of this Bylaw.

Accessory Uses
1. Home occupation;
2. Other uses, buildings and structures accessory to a permitted use. 

R2 – Duplex Residential Zoning Bylaw

R3 - MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL

Purpose
The purpose of the R3 Zone is to provide for the development of a variety of medium density attached dwelling forms including triplexes, fourplexes and row/town housing dwelling units.

Permitted Uses
The following uses, and no other, are permitted in the R3 Zone:
1. Multi family dwellings;
2. Uses permitted under Section 3.3 of this Bylaw.

Accessory Uses
1. Home occupation;
2. Other uses, buildings and structures accessory to a permitted use.

R3 - Medium Density Residential Zoning Bylaw

R3-R - MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL - RIVERSIDE

Purpose
The purpose this zone is to provide for the development of a variety of medium density attached dwelling forms with the opportunity to operate accommodation units within condo hotels.

Permitted Uses
The following uses, and no other, are permitted in the R3 Zone:
1. Multi family dwellings;
2. Condo Hotel;
3. Uses permitted under Section 3.3 of this Bylaw.

Accessory Uses
1. Home occupation;
2. Other uses, buildings and structures accessory to a permitted use.

R3-R - Medium Density Residential - Riverside Zoning Bylaw

R4 - MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (HIGH DENSITY) ZONE

Purpose
The purpose of the R4 zone is to provide for higher density, larger structures in the form of apartments and stacked townhouse dwelling units.

Permitted Uses
The following uses, and no other, are permitted in the R4 zone:
1. Multi family dwellings;
2. Rest homes;
3. Uses permitted under section 3.3 of this Bylaw;

Accessory Uses
1. Home occupation;
2. Other uses, buildings and structures accessory to a permitted use.

R4 - Multiple Family Residential (High Density) Zone Zoning Bylaw

R-MH - MANUFACTURED HOME RESIDENTIAL

Purpose
The purpose of the R-MH zone is to provide for the development of manufactured home subdivisions and rental parks where a variety of manufactured or mobile single detached homes are accommodated on individual lots with or without permanent foundations with skirting and individual service connections.

Permitted Uses
The following uses, and no other, are permitted in the R-MH zone:

1. Manufactured or mobile homes;
2. Common storage area;
3. Recreation areas;
4. Identification signs;
5. Utility service buildings;
6. Uses permitted under Section 3.3 of this Bylaw.

Accessory Uses
1. Home occupation;
2. Other uses, buildings and structures accessory to a permitted use.

R-MH - Manufactured Home Residential Zoning Bylaw

RR - RURAL RESIDENTIAL

Purpose
The purpose of the RR zone is to allow for single detached dwellings to be located on large parcels of land, on the periphery of the developed portion of the City, sited in a manner that future re-subdivision, infill and increased density will be feasible in the future. On site servicing may be feasible on a temporary basis.

Permitted Uses
The following uses, and no other, are permitted in the RR zone:

1. Single detached dwelling and manufactured home;
2. Keeping of small farm animals;
3. Kennels, subject to subsection (.2)(c), on the following chart;
4. Public buildings;
5. Forestry and related uses;
6. Extensive recreational uses;
7. Uses permitted under Section 3.3 of this Bylaw.
8. On parcels of less than .403hectares in area not more than two (2) BEEHIVES;
9. On parcels of .403 hectares in area not more than six (6) BEEHIVES;
10. On parcels greater than .403 hectares in area not more than twenty (20) BEEHIVES per hectare

Accessory Uses
1. Home occupation;
2. Uses, buildings and structures accessory to a permitted use;
3. Secondary dwelling unit 

RR - Rural Residential Zoning Bylaw


**DISCLAIMER** The information provided here on Fernie zoning is for general reference purposes only. It is strongly advised not to rely solely on this information for any legal or planning decisions. The zoning regulations and bylaws may change over time, and accuracy cannot be guaranteed. For the most current and accurate information, it is recommended to consult the official zoning bylaws directly from the City of Fernie website or contact the relevant authorities. Any actions or decisions based on the information provided here are taken at your own risk.

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