When did these zoning changes come into effect?
These zoning changes came into effect on June 8, 2026.
What are active uses?
Active uses are businesses that draw people in and create lively streets — like retail shops, restaurants, entertainment spaces, and personal services. In Active Frontage Areas, these businesses are allowed on the ground floor.
Some active businesses (like banks, dance schools, fitness centres, art studios, and child care) are allowed on the ground floor with conditions — the most customer-facing parts of the business, like reception areas or retail displays, must face the street.
Low activity uses are businesses that people seek out rather than stumble upon — like offices, storage facilities, and appointment-based services. These businesses are still important, but they don't generate much street-level activity. In Active Frontage Areas, they must be located on upper floors.
The table below lists all active, conditional active, and low-activity uses. Keep in mind that not all uses are permitted in every commercial zone. To find out what's allowed in a specific location, contact the Planning Department at . City staff are here to help answer any questions you may have.
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Active Uses
Permitted on the ground floor
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Conditional Active Uses
Permitted on the ground floor with conditions
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Low Activity Uses
Not permitted on the ground floor
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- Retail stores
- Personal services like nail salons, barber shops, and tailors
- Entertainment uses like theatres, arcades, art galleries, and bowling alleys
- Restaurants and cafes
- Animal services like vets, groomers, and daycare
- Hotels
- Labs, research and tech offices, and coworking (between Simpson Street and Sapperton Park only)
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- Small breweries, distilleries, wineries and cideries (Downtown only)
- Small businesses that make and sell their own products on-site
- Banks
- Personal interest schools, like cooking and dance schools
- Fitness and wellness centres, like yoga studios, gyms, and spas
- Art studios
- Child care
- Government schools, like public colleges
- Travel agencies
- Real estate offices
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- Business offices like accounting, insurance, and legal offices
- Health services like dental and other medical clinics
- Business and trade schools, like dental and massage colleges
- Private schools
- Car and boat rental, sales, servicing, or storage
- Payday lending
- Tutoring services
- Commercial storage
- Funeral parlours
- Taxi and delivery facilities
- Auction rooms
- Film, television and recording studios
- Printing and publishing
- Ghost or commissary kitchens
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I currently operate a medical office on the ground floor of a building on Columbia Street, within the Active Frontage Area. Do I have to move?
No. If your business was operating as of June 8, 2026, you do not have to move or make any changes.
However, if your business closes for 6 months or more, the new rules will apply to you and any new business moving into the space.
I currently operate an accounting office on the ground floor of a building on Twelfth Street, within the Active Frontage Area. What happens if I want to renew my lease – will my landlord be required to relocate me?
No. If your business was operating as of June 8, 2026, you can continue operating under a new lease or even with a new building owner.
However, if your business closes for 6 months or more, the new rules will apply.
I own a childcare centre on the ground floor of a building on East Columbia Street, within the Active Frontage Area. Do I have to change the layout of my business?
No. If your business was operating as of June 8, 2026, you do not need to make any changes to your space.
One thing to keep in mind: windows must follow the City's Sign and Business License Bylaws, which limit window decals and signage to no more than 20% of your window and glass door area. Contact the Economic Development Office at info@investnewwest.ca for more information. We're here to help!
I own a vacant commercial unit in an Active Frontage Area. What are my options?
If your unit was vacant when the new rules came into effect on June 8, 2026, you must rent the space to an active use business. Contact the Planning Department to find out which uses are permitted in your zone.
If the business you rent to has conditions attached to its use, your tenant will need to design their space to meet those conditions.
I own a commercial unit in an Active Frontage Area that is leased to a business. What are my options?
It depends on what type of business is currently in your space.
If your unit is leased to an active use business (like a café or barber shop), you must continue leasing to an active use business when that tenant leaves.
Example You own a ground floor unit on Sixth Street. When the new rules came into effect, it was leased to a barber shop (active use). The barber shop is moving out. You can lease the unit to another active use business, but not to a low-activity use like an office.
If your unit is leased to a low activity business (like a medical office), and that tenant vacates the property, you have two options:
- Option 1: Lease to the same type of business, as long as the unit has been vacant for less than 6 months.
- Option 2: Lease to an active use business. This is strongly encouraged to help make our commercial areas more vibrant and bustling!
Example You own a ground floor unit on East Columbia Street. When the new rules came into effect, it was leased to a physiotherapy office (low activity use). That tenant has since moved out.
- A law office approaches you about renting the space. Because this is a different low activity use, you cannot lease to them at the ground floor level.
- Two weeks later, a different physiotherapy office approaches you. Because it's the same type of low activity use and the unit has been vacant for less than 6 months, you can lease to them.
- You could also lease the space to an active use, like a retail store.
What counts as a “small-scale businesses that makes and sells their own products on-site?”
These are small businesses that make their products and sell them directly to customers in the same location. If the business is on the ground floor, on-site sales are required. Businesses that make food or drinks can also sell their products wholesale to other businesses.
Because these are commercial businesses (not industrial), a few rules apply:
- Maximum size: 300 sq. m. (3,229 sq. ft.), or up to 500 sq. m. (5,382 sq. ft.) if customers eat or drink on-site.
- No unreasonable smoke or odours.
- Like all businesses, noise and lighting must follow the City’s Light Intrusion and Noise Bylaws.
Some examples:
- Kombucha brewer with an on-site café This business can brew and sell kombucha directly to customers, and also sell wholesale to other businesses.
- Soap maker with an on-site retail store This business can make and sell soap directly to customers from the same location.
- Maker space collective with an on-site retail store This collective can make and sell their products directly to customers on-site.
What counts as “small” for a breweries and distilleries? Is there a size limit?
To start, small breweries and distilleries can produce any type of alcoholic beverages – beer, cider, wine or spirits. They are now permitted in all Downtown commercial zones in New Westminster.
There is no limit on how much a small-scale brewery or distillery can produce, but there are a few other requirements:
- The brewery or distillery must include a tasting room, restaurant, or retail store.
- If it's located in an Active Frontage Area, it must include a tasting room or restaurant.
- No more than 35% of the ground floor can be used for production or manufacturing.
The goal is to encourage breweries, distilleries, wineries, and cideries that add to the energy and activity of Downtown.
Were businesses and property owners consulted before these changes were made?
Yes. The City held a business community workshop at Anvil Centre on June 18, 2025. Invitations were mailed to all commercial property owners in New Westminster, and the event was advertised through the City's website, Invest New West newsletter, CityPage, and business community partners.
In total, 49 local business owners, 26 commercial property owners, and six Chamber of Commerce and Business Improvement Area representatives attended.
The City also received feedback from the Arts, Culture, and Economic Development Advisory Committee throughout the process.
I have specific questions about whether or not my business is impacted by the new zoning changes. Who do I contact?
Reach out to either of the following:
- Economic Development Office: or 604-527-4536
- Planning Department: or 604-527-4532
I have a business idea for a ground floor space in an Active Frontage Area. Who can help me find out if it's allowed?
The Planning Department is here to help. You can:
- Email them at , or
- Stop by City Hall, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
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