Richmond

Zoning regulates how land, buildings and structures may be used or developed. Every property in Richmond has a zoning classification that establishes permitted uses and requirements relating to matters such as building size, height, setbacks, parking and landscaping.

Before purchasing, leasing, developing or changing the use of a property, it is important to confirm its current zoning and ensure that the proposed use is permitted. Zoning regulations and permitted uses may change, and some properties are governed by site-specific zones or additional restrictions.

Commercial and Mixed-Use Zones

CL – Local Commercial: Intended primarily for small-scale commercial uses serving the surrounding neighbourhood.

CN – Neighbourhood Commercial: Accommodates neighbourhood-oriented retail, service and other compatible uses.

CC – Community Commercial: Provides for a broader range of retail, service and commercial activities serving the wider community.

CS2 and CS3 – Steveston Commercial: Accommodate commercial and mixed-use development suited to the character and needs of Steveston.

CDT1 – Downtown Commercial: Supports commercial, residential and mixed-use development within Richmond’s downtown area.

CA – Auto-Oriented Commercial: Intended for commercial uses that commonly depend on convenient vehicle access.

Richmond also has specialized commercial zones for entertainment and athletic facilities, gas and service stations, pubs, vehicle sales, roadside stands and site-specific developments.

Industrial Zones

I – Industrial: Accommodates a broad range of general industrial activities and compatible supporting uses.

IL – Light Industrial: Intended for lighter industrial activities that are generally compatible with nearby urban uses.

IB1 and IB2 – Industrial Business Park: Provide for industrial and business park activities, with permitted supporting uses varying by zone.

IR1 and IR2 – Industrial Retail: Accommodate industrial activities together with certain limited retail and related uses.

IS and IS1 – Industrial Storage: Intended primarily for storage, warehousing and related industrial activities.

The above descriptions are general summaries only and do not represent complete lists of permitted uses. Always consult the current City of Richmond Zoning Bylaw and obtain confirmation from the City before relying on a property’s zoning for a particular business or development.

City of Richmond Zoning Inquiries

City of Richmond
Planning and Development Division
6911 No. 3 Road
Richmond, British Columbia V6Y 2C1

Phone: 604-276-4000
Email: zoning@richmond.ca

Other Municipalities

Zoning bylaws, maps and land-use information are also available through the websites of other municipalities throughout Metro Vancouver:

• Abbotsford
• Burnaby
• Coquitlam
• Delta
• Langley
• Township of Langley
• Maple Ridge
• Mission
• New Westminster
• North Vancouver—City
• North Vancouver—District
• Pitt Meadows
• Port Coquitlam
• Port Moody
• Surrey
• Vancouver
• West Vancouver
• White Rock

As zoning classifications differ between municipalities and may be amended over time, confirm all information directly with the applicable municipality before purchasing, leasing, developing or changing the use of a property.