R-4: Low Density Multiple Family Residential

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

Townhouses (buildings of three or more homes) at up to 35 homes per gross hectare, up to 40 with one more home for each extra 24 m² of recreational space (s. 7.09.5; s. 3.04); a secondary suite (s. 7.09.2(b)). The zone lists no house or duplex

Main uses

Townhouses; a home-based business, a secondary suite, group day care, other accessory uses (ss. 7.09.1, 7.09.2)

Smallest lot for a subdivision

No area set; the City's text reads "the minimum parcel size ... which has a front parcel line less than 12.0 m" with words missing, most likely meaning at least 12.0 m along the street (our reading; unclear, ask the City); 6.0 m along the street for each townhouse lot split along a shared wall (s. 7.09.3)

Lot coverage

50% (s. 7.09.7(c))

Height limit

7.6 m; a two-, three- or four-family building 8.6 m or 2½ storeys, whichever is less; accessory buildings 4.5 m (s. 7.09.7(a), (b))

Setbacks

Main building: front 6.0 m, rear 7.6 m, inside sides 2.1 m, street side 4.5 m. Accessory buildings: front 6.0 m, rear 2.1 m, inside sides 1.5 m, street side 4.5 m, 1.0 m from the main building (s. 7.09.6)

Each townhouse has at least 20 m² of recreational space per home: land, balconies, decks, patios, roof decks or recreation rooms (s. 7.09.4; s. 3.04).

Townhouse buildings on one lot are spaced 9.0 m apart where living room windows face, 6.0 m for other habitable rooms, 2.5 m otherwise (s. 4.16).

A secondary suite has its own entrance and a building permit, and one parking space on the lot; at most one per main home (Part 4, s. 4.17).

Land not built on or parked on is landscaped; no wrecking or repairing vehicles, and at most one derelict vehicle, kept out of the front yard (s. 7.09.8).

Parts 4 (general regulations), 5 (parcel areas) and 6 (parking) of the bylaw also apply; short-term rental isn't a use the zone lists, so ask the City before renting a home by the night.

Site-specific exceptions listed in the bylaw by legal description can add or change uses for one property, and development permit areas, the ALR and building rules apply on top. Confirm with the City of Cranbrook's planning department before you buy or build.

Source: Part 7.09 of City of Cranbrook Zoning Bylaw No. 3977, 2019 (summarised in our words, checked 2026-10-06); zone map: Open Government Licence – British Columbia (named by the City of Cranbrook).