---
title: "R5 zone in Colwood: Residential 5"
place: Colwood, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/colwood
zone: R5
bylaw: Colwood Land Use Bylaw No. 151, 1989 (with amendments to August 24, 2026)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/zoning/r5/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/zoning/r5.json"
---

# R5 zone in Colwood: Residential 5

Base level of development at AR2 density, with alternative regulations for greater density when amenities and affordable housing are provided.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Base level of development at AR2 density, with alternative regulations for greater density when amenities and affordable housing are provided.
- **Main uses:** One-family dwelling; Group home use; Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (Uses in Section 2.1.10 are also permitted; the listed uses are permitted on the higher-density path only after contributions to affordable housing and community amenities.)
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Home occupation; Not more than 2 boarders or lodgers in a dwelling unit; Accessory buildings and structures; Accessory dwelling units; Secondary suite; Show homes
- **Minimum lot area:** 550 m²; 700 m² for any lot adjacent to Lots 34, 35 and 36, Plan 44144
- **Minimum lot width:** 15 m (lots without rear lane access); 10.0 m (lots with rear lane access)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 40% (principal building)
- **Maximum density:** Floor area ratio 0.45; not more than one residential building per lot
- **Maximum height:** 9 m
- **Front setback:** 7.5 m (lots without rear lane access); 4.0 m (lots with rear lane access); 6.0 m on Lots 32 to 41 shown on Schedule “A” (4.0 m with rear lane access)
- **Rear setback:** 6.0 m
- **Interior side setback:** 1.5 m (1.0 m with rear lane access); side total 3.0 m (2.5 m with rear lane access)
- **Street side setback:** 4.5 m (3.0 m with rear lane access)
- **Accessory building setbacks:** Detached garages: front 14.0 m; rear 1.0 m minimum to 6.0 m maximum (0.0 m with rear lane access); side 0.5 m. Other accessory buildings: rear 1.0 m, side 1.5 m.
- **Other rules:** Maximum combined floor area of all accessory buildings 37 m²; Maximum front yard driveway width 6.0 m (lots without rear lane access); A secondary suite may be up to 70 m², only one per residential building, rental only, with its own outside entry door; Lot frontages are reduced 25% for lots on the turnaround portion of a cul-de-sac

## Source

- [Colwood Land Use Bylaw No. 151, 1989 (with amendments to August 24, 2026), s. 5.10](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/1999#page=65) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Colwood: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/zoning/index.json

_Draft: taken from the bylaw text by a research agent and not yet reviewed by a person. Gov Handbook is an independent guide. Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/zoning/r5/_