RF5: Rural Forest Five

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

One house (s. 7.16.2)

Main uses

One house, forest management, park, forest recreation, conservation

Smallest lot for a subdivision

Set by the lot's subdivision district, not its zone (s. 4.2): from 1,000 m² to 100 ha; a lot's report shows its district

Lot coverage

10% (s. 7.16.5); s. 7.16.3 also gives 15% up to 3.5 ha, so a lot under 3.5 ha is unclear; ask the SCRD

Height limit

11 m; a house on a lot under 750 m² 8.5 m unless the lot's average slope is over 20%; a detached auxiliary dwelling or accessory building 8.5 m (s. 5.11)

Setbacks

5 m from every lot line (s. 7.16.6); 15 m from the sea and 17 m from a creek, lake or wetland (s. 5.16)

All buildings together at most 300 m² of floor area (s. 7.16.4).

Floors of living space at least 0.6 m above the 200-year flood level or 2 m above the natural boundary of the sea, a lake or a stream, whichever is higher (3 m on some named rivers) (s. 5.18).

Uses a zone doesn't list aren't allowed (s. 5.1.2).

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 SCRD's planning department before you buy or build.

Source: Sunshine Coast Regional District Zoning Bylaw No. 722 (summarised in our words, checked 2026-10-02); zone map: Open Government Licence – Sunshine Coast Regional District.