R2: Townhouse Residential

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

Townhouses and rowhouses (any building of two or more homes, plex homes and apartments among them by the bylaw's definition) and seniors' multi-unit housing, up to a floor area ratio of 1.2; the zone sets no count of homes (s. 5, R2 zone; s. 1.3)

Exceptions (1)

• A floor area ratio of 1.218 on one lot the bylaw names by address

Listed in s. 2.4(n) of the bylaw.

Main uses

Multiple unit residential (townhouse complexes, rowhouses, plex homes and apartment buildings) and seniors-oriented multiple unit residential; home occupations (no bed and breakfast or child care centre), a real estate sales office for a building on the lot; where the Official Community Plan designates Corner Commercial, small shops (under 400 m², no pharmacy), general and personal services (no laundry or dry cleaning), offices, a restaurant, cultural facilities, an assembly hall, community services, an artist studio, a child care centre, a brew pub, brewers and vintners (s. 5, R2 zone; s. 1.3)

Smallest lot for a subdivision

1,000 m²; no frontage set. A lot split off along a party wall is at most 280 m², with at least 4.5 m of frontage (s. 5, R2 zone)

Lot coverage

45%; floor area at most 1.2 times the lot area, garages not counted (s. 5, R2 zone; s. 1.3)

Height limit

Main buildings 11.0 m; accessory buildings and structures 7.0 m (s. 5, R2 zone)

Setbacks

Front 3.0 m, rear 4.5 m, sides 1.5 m, street side 3.0 m; rear and street side 1.2 m beside a lane; sides 0.0 m along a party wall, 4.5 m where the side yard is a home's private open space. Buildings on one lot 9.0 m apart, face to face (s. 5, R2 zone)

The zone is for townhouse complexes and rowhouses (s. 5, R2 zone's intent). A home here is most often in a strata: what an owner may do (renting, changes) is in the strata's bylaws as well, so read them.

Each home has private open space at least 4.5 m deep (3 m facing a street) (s. 5, R2 zone).

Parking (s. 3.7): 2.0 spaces a townhouse home, 1.0 a seniors' home; at most half the spaces in a townhouse complex tandem (s. 3.4). Commercial vehicles: one over 5,000 kg (up to 9.0 m long) only inside a building, and one lighter licensed one; one recreational vehicle at most, inside or behind the front of the building (s. 2.4(a)).

Short-term rental isn't a listed use in this zone, and uses the zone doesn't list aren't allowed (s. 1.4.7); the zone excludes bed and breakfast by name. Ask the City before renting a home by the night.

Landscaping, screening and fencing (Section 4) and amenity space apply; development permits may be needed under the Official Community Plan (s. 5, R2 zone).

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 Langley's development services department before you buy or build.

Source: the R2 zone (Section 5) of City of Langley Zoning Bylaw, 2025, No. 3300 (summarised in our words, checked 2026-10-06); zone map: Open Government Licence – City of Langley.