Zoning Guide for Langley, Surrey, Abbotsford & Delta
Zoning directory
Zoning in Abbotsford, Langley, Surrey, Delta and the Fraser Valley
Plain-English summaries of farm, rural, acreage and residential zones, with a link to the official bylaw for every zone. Start with the agricultural and rural zones if you are looking at a farm or acreage, or search any zone code.
Checked against each official bylaw on October 2, 2026. Zoning changes often, so always confirm with the municipality.
General information only. These summaries may not reflect recent amendments and are not legal advice. Always confirm zoning, permitted uses and ALR status with the municipality and the Agricultural Land Commission before you buy.
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Type an address to see its zoning, ALR status, lot size and other public map checks. It covers Surrey, Langley (City and Township) and Abbotsford for now. Anywhere else, send me the address and I'll check its zoning, ALR status and what you can build before you write an offer.
Municipality
Zone type
Showing all 278 zones.
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77 zones
Abbotsford zoning
City of Abbotsford Zoning Bylaw, 2014 (No. 2400-2014). Source: Online consolidated bylaw (laws.abbotsford.ca). All standard zones.
Agricultural uses and complementary activities, consistent with the Agricultural Land Commission Act.
Main uses
Agriculture, one single detached dwelling, boarding house, residential care. Accessory uses include agri-tourism, farm retail sales, farm product processing, farm alcohol production, and farm worker housing.
Extra homes
One secondary suite (up to 100 m²). One accessory farm dwelling unit on lots of at least 0.4 ha: up to 90 m² on lots of 40 ha or less, up to 186 m² on larger lots, subject to ALR rules or ALC approval.
Min. new lot
8.0 ha (about 19.8 acres), with limited exceptions in s.210.5.
ALR
The bylaw notes that the ALC Act and the ALR Use Regulation requirements also apply.
Intended to enable a transition from small-scale residential development to ground-oriented multi-unit residential development on lands abutting a Local Road and designated Townhouse in the OCP.
Intended to enable a transition from small-scale residential development to ground-oriented multi-unit residential development on lands abutting an Arterial Road or a Collector Road and designated Townhouse in the OCP.
Intended for single detached dwellings and coach houses on urban lots with municipal lane access in the Urban 3 – Infill Land Use Designation and new neighbourhoods.
Intended for residential uses with accessory commercial uses in primarily residential areas in the Urban 3 – Infill or Urban 4 – Detached Land Use Designations in accordance with the policy contained within the Official Community Plan.
Intended to establish specific land use and development regulations for three and four unit townhouse developments on existing urban lots in the Townhouse Land Use Designation.
Intended for mid-rise developments up to six (6) storeys in height, including residential buildings and buildings for congregate care, for lands designated Apartment in the City’s Official Community Plan.
Intended for mid-rise developments up to six (6) storeys in height, including residential buildings and buildings for congregate care which are restricted to residential rental tenure only, for lands designated Apartment in the City’s Official Community Plan.
Intended for low-rise, mixed-use developments up to six storeys in height, consisting of limited commercial uses on the first and second floors and apartment or congregate housing uses on upper floors.
Intended for multi storey residential buildings for lands designated City Centre Core or City Centre Residential in the City Centre Neighbourhood Plan.
Intended to serve a neighbourhood or city wide area with commercial uses along with indoor industrial, for lands designated Secondary Commercial in the Official Community Plan.
Intended to provide for large format retail centres with large anchor tenants and surface parking on lands designated Regional Commercial in the Official Community Plan.
Intended for a wide range of uses appropriate for the City Centre including retail, office, financial, service and residential uses in conjunction with commercial uses, in low-rise buildings up to six storeys.
Intended to provide a zone to meet the specific safety and health standards required to accommodate gas stations, automobile maintenance and repair facilities and other associated uses.
Intended to enable a mix of multi-unit residential and commercial uses that serve a city-wide and neighbourhood function, on lands designated Urban Centre in the OCP.
Intended to enable a mix of multi unit residential and commercial uses that function as neighbourhood gathering places and destinations including shops, restaurants, cafes, and services, on land designated Neighbourhood Centre in the OCP.
Intended for educational, recreational, residential and commercial uses associated with universities, colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions.
Township of Langley Zoning Bylaw No. 2500. Source: Section PDFs on tol.ca (Section 100 updated July 28, 2026). Rural, suburban and residential zones in detail; commercial, industrial and institutional zones grouped. City of Langley has its own, separate zoning bylaw.
Agriculture, equestrian centres and riding stables, commercial greenhouses, mushroom farms, veterinary clinics, residential use. Feedlots and intensive swine operations only as the bylaw allows.
Homes
Subject to the ALC Act, no more than 2 single family dwellings or mobile homes per lot, with exceptions set out in the bylaw.
Min. new lot
1.7 ha (about 4.2 acres), per s.110.1.
ALR
If the lot is in the ALR, Agricultural Land Commission rules on homes, fill and subdivision also apply.
One small-scale multi-unit housing development, or one single family dwelling plus one accessory dwelling unit (if there is no secondary suite), subject to the ALC Act where it applies.
Up to 40 float homes moored at a Class "C" marina, plus one single family dwelling or mobile home on the upland lot for the owner, manager or caretaker.
Includes C-1 Regional Commercial, C-2 to C-2D Community Commercial, C-3 and C-3A Service Commercial, C-4 and C-5 Neighbourhood Commercial, C-6 Service Station, C-7, C-8 and C-13 to C-16 Limited Commercial, C-9 Campground Commercial, C-10 Customs Commercial, C-11 Farm Auction, C-12 Liquor Primary, C-17 Carvolth Commercial and C-18 Carvolth Business Park.
Includes M-1A and M-1B Service Industrial, M-2 to M-2B General Industrial, M-3, M-4 and M-13 Heavy Industrial, M-5, M-5A, M-6 and M-10 Limited Industrial, M-7 Salvage Industrial, M-8 Industrial Transition, M-11 Business/Office Park, M-12 Rural Service Industrial and M-14 Brookswood Employment (added July 27, 2026).
Includes P-1 and P-1A Civic Institutional, P-2A to P-2R Community Care Facility, P-3 and P-3A Residential Institutional, P-4 Airport, P-5 and P-5A Limited Institutional, and P-6 Post Office.
Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000. Source: Consolidated PDF on surrey.ca (updated Sept 23, 2026). Residential zones R1 to R7 replaced the RF, RH and RQ zones on July 8, 2024. Former codes are shown on each card.
Agriculture on lots of at least 2 ha, protecting land designated Agricultural in the OCP.
Main uses
Agriculture and horticulture; one single family dwelling (which may contain one secondary suite); intensive agriculture (inside the ALR only); farm alcohol production; forestry; horse riding and boarding. Agri-tourism and kennels are limited to 10% building coverage.
Min. new lot
4 ha (about 9.9 acres) inside the ALR; 2 ha (about 4.9 acres) outside it.
ALR
If the lot is in the ALR, Agricultural Land Commission rules on homes, fill and subdivision also apply.
Acreage lots typically 4,050 m² (about 1 acre) or larger, with up to 2 dwelling units. Existing lots under 4,050 m² may have small-scale multi-unit housing of 2 to 6 units.
Intended for small-scale multi-unit housing on large lots typically 930 m² or larger, which may accommodate 2 to 6 dwelling units, where lot size may be reduced with substantial public open space set aside within the subdivision.
Min. new lot
930 m² (about 10,010 sq ft), with reductions where public open space is set aside.
Intended for small-scale multi-unit housing on oceanfront lots typically 1,000 m² or larger, which may accommodate 2 to 6 dwelling units, where there are no lots located between the subject lot and the oceanfront, except for railway land.
Intended for small-scale multi-unit housing on compact and typically rear lane accessed lots 291 m² or larger, which may accommodate 2 to 6 dwelling units.
Intended for small-scale multi-unit housing on small narrow lots typically less than 280 m², containing a zero-lot line Semi-Detached Residential Building, which may accommodate 2 to 3 dwelling units, or on lots larger than 280 m², containing a zero-lot line Duplex, which may accommodate 4 to 6 dwelling units.
Intended for a range of residential development, from small‑scale multi-unit housing, to townhouses, to low‑rise apartments, that are clustered on portions of a site, and where open space is provided to protect natural features, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
Intended for low-rise apartment buildings, typically 3 to 4 storeys, with optional accessory uses such as commercial, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
MR6-CLow-Rise (4 Storey) Apartment with Commercial Zone
Intent
Intended for low-rise mixed-use apartment buildings, typically 3 to 4 storeys, with required ground floor commercial, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
Intended for medium density, high- rise multiple unit residential buildings and related private amenity spaces, which are to be developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
Intended for low-rise apartment buildings, typically 5 to 8 storeys, with optional accessory uses such as commercial, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
MR7-CLow-Rise (5-8 Storey) Apartment with Commercial Zone
Intent
Intended for low-rise mixed-use apartment buildings, typically 5 to 8 storeys, with required ground floor commercial, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
Intended for mid-rise apartment buildings, typically 10 to 20 storeys, with optional accessory uses such as commercial, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
Intended for mid-rise mixed-use apartment buildings, typically up to 25 storeys, with required ground floor commercial, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
Intended for high-rise apartment buildings, typically up to 40 storeys, with optional accessory uses such as commercial, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
Intended for high-rise mixed-use apartment buildings, typically up to 40 storeys, with required ground floor commercial, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
Intended for high-density high-rise apartment buildings in City Centre, typically in tower form, with optional accessory uses such as commercial, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
MR10-CCity Centre High-Rise Apartment with Commercial Zone
Intent
Intended for high-density high-rise mixed-use apartment buildings in City Centre, typically in tower form, with required ground floor commercial, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
Intended for outside Town Centres (see Schedule D), the development of care facilities, which may be subject to the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, as amended.
Intended for the development within Town Centres (see Schedule D), of care facilities, which may be subject to the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, as amended.
Intended for small-scale multi-unit housing on compact and typically rear lane accessed lots 291 m² or larger, which may accommodate 2 to 6 dwelling units, with optional limited commercial accessory uses.
Intended for retail and service commercial facilities, offices, recreation and associated uses as well as residential uses developed in a comprehensive manner, serving a town of several communities.
Intended for those commercial and related uses requiring large lots and exposure to major highways, which generally are not accommodated in shopping centre, Town Centre or City Centre (Schedule D) developments.
Intended for full-service gasoline stations or combined full-service and self-service gasoline stations and accessory uses including convenience store and automotive repair.
Intended for tourist accommodation, tourist trailer parks and camp-sites and shall apply in conjunction with the Surrey Mobile Home and Trailer Regulations and Control By-law, as amended.
Site-specific zones based on a comprehensive plan that conforms to the OCP. Each CD zone is adopted as its own by-law, so check the by-law for the property.
Intended for high-density high-rise commercial, institutional, and office buildings in City Centre within the Central Business District in the OCP, typically in tower form, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design. Residential uses will be permitted only when minimum commercial, institutional, or office use requirements are met.
Intended for low-rise, mid-rise, or high-rise office, institutional, or employment buildings, with a wide range of heights between 4 and 40 storeys, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
Intended for high-density mid-rise to high-rise office, institutional, or employment buildings with optional lower level commercial, inside City Centre, typically in tower form, that are developed in accordance with a comprehensive design.
Not sure which zone applies? Zone maps and amendments change. Check an address's current zone and ALR status at the top of the page, or ask me and I'll confirm it with the municipality's records.
One farm house per lot, up to 500 m² total residential floor area, which may contain one secondary suite. One accessory farm dwelling unit: up to 90 m² on lots of 40 ha or less, 186 m² on larger lots. An additional farm house needs an agrologist report and ALC approval.
Farm home plate
Up to 3,600 m², no deeper than 60 m.
Subdivision
Only as allowed by the OCP and the ALC; where permitted, minimum 8 ha (about 19.8 acres).
ALR
If the lot is in the ALR, Agricultural Land Commission rules on homes, fill and subdivision also apply.
Intended for duplex and single detached housing on waterfront lots in Beach Grove, developed in a manner which complements the area and preserves waterfront views for these lots.
Intended primarily for residential uses in addition to fish boat and small craft moorage and cottage business, reflecting the area's diverse history and character.
Intended for a wide range of commercial uses, including a cannabis dispensary, and service uses in addition to limited residential uses serving a larger community.
Intended for low to medium impact industrial uses and a limited range of commercial and service commercial uses as well as cannabis production and cannabis research and development uses.
Conditional and general agriculture, single detached dwelling, manufactured home. Ancillary uses include an accessory dwelling unit and farm retail sales.
Homes
No more than 1 principal residential structure per lot.
Min. new lot
7.5 ha (about 18.5 acres) where excluded or exempt from the ALR or approved for ALR subdivision; smaller lots only by boundary adjustment or homesite severance as set out in the bylaw.
Farm home plate
Up to 4,000 m² for the principal residential use and 1,000 m² for an additional residential use.
ALR
If the lot is in the ALR, Agricultural Land Commission rules on homes, fill and subdivision also apply.
Single detached dwelling, duplex, townhouse and restricted agriculture, plus community uses such as child care, school and convenience commercial. Up to 37 dwelling units in total.
Agriculture, agri-tourism and related activities under the ALC Act, on lots designated Agriculture.
Homes
One single family dwelling or one manufactured home, plus one secondary suite or one secondary detached unit (coach house, garden cottage or manufactured home). House size follows the ALC Act.
Min. lot
8.0 ha (about 19.8 acres).
ALR
If the lot is in the ALR, Agricultural Land Commission rules on homes, fill and subdivision also apply.
The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is provincial. On ALR land, Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) rules apply in addition to municipal zoning, and local governments can add further restrictions.
Generally one residence is allowed per parcel. The principal residence can be up to 500 m² in total floor area, with no more than 1,000 m² of fill placed for its construction.
A secondary suite is allowed only inside the principal residence, and only if local bylaws allow it.
One additional detached residence may be allowed without an ALC application if only one residence exists when construction starts: up to 90 m² on parcels of 40 ha or less, or up to 186 m² on parcels over 40 ha. It does not need to be for farm help. Local zoning may still limit it.
Most subdivision of ALR land needs ALC approval, including parcels under 2 acres.
Source: Agricultural Land Commission, checked October 2, 2026.
Farm and acreage buyers
Before you buy: what to check
ALR status. Check the ALC's ALR map, then confirm with the municipality.
The zone and its minimum lot size. Don't assume a property can be subdivided. Check the minimum lot size, and on ALR land, ALC approval.
How many homes are allowed. Zoning and ALC rules both limit homes, suites and coach houses.
Septic. Ask for septic records and have the system inspected. Septic rules come from the health authority.
Water. Find out whether it's a well or municipal water. For a well, ask about yield, water quality and any water licence.
Farm class and animals. Ask BC Assessment whether the property has farm class. If you plan to keep livestock or poultry, ask about BC's Premises ID program.
Send me an address I'll check its zoning and ALR status and tell you what to confirm with the municipality. Or look it up yourself at the top of the page.
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.