---
title: "MDR zone in Duncan: Medium Density Residential"
place: Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/duncan
zone: MDR
bylaw: City of Duncan Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (with amendments to August 24, 2026)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/zoning/mdr/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/zoning/mdr.json"
---

# MDR zone in Duncan: Medium Density Residential

Allows a mix of housing types, including multi-unit rowhouse and multi-unit dwellings, up to four storeys.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Allows a mix of housing types, including multi-unit rowhouse and multi-unit dwellings, up to four storeys.
- **Main uses:** Community Care Facility; Assisted Living Residential Facility; Dwelling, Multi-Unit; Dwelling, Multi-Unit Rowhouse
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Home-Based Business; Secondary Suite, Attached
- **Extra uses on specific lots:** Portion of 531 Herbert Street (eastern-most portion of LOT 1 SECTION 19 RANGE 5 QUAMICHAN DISTRICT PLAN VIP76282 PID 025-818-759, extending 24.62 m from the eastern parcel boundary) – Maximum height of principal building 11 m (3 habitable storeys)
- **Minimum lot area:** 600 m² for multi-unit dwellings; rowhouse dwelling units: 250 m² (shares a party wall with one other unit, one exterior side yard); 200 m² (one other unit, one interior side yard); 150 m² (party wall with two other units)
- **Minimum lot width:** 15 m for multi-unit dwellings; rowhouse dwelling units: 9 m (one other unit, one exterior side yard); 7.5 m (one other unit, one interior side yard); 5 m (party wall with two other units)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 50% for all buildings and structures combined
- **Maximum density:** Floor area ratio: base 1.2:1; bonus density I 1.4:1; bonus density II 1.6:1 (minimum 0.5:1)
- **Maximum height:** 14 m (4 habitable storeys); minimum 2 habitable storeys
- **Maximum height, accessory buildings:** 5 m
- **Front setback:** minimum 3 m; maximum 6 m
- **Rear setback:** 4 m
- **Interior side setback:** 1.5 m
- **Street side setback:** minimum 3 m; maximum 4 m
- **Accessory building setbacks:** front 4 m, rear 1.2 m, interior side 1.2 m, exterior side 4 m
- **Other rules:** Garage setback: 6 m where the garage door faces a highway; Density bonus of up to 0.2 if 30% of units are affordable housing for 80 years; up to 0.4 if 75% affordable, or all parking underground/in a structure, or Energy Step Code Level 3; Developments with at least 20 multi-unit dwelling units need at least 20% 2-bedroom and 10% 3-bedroom units; Attached secondary suite only in a multi-unit rowhouse dwelling; one per primary unit; maximum 90 m²

## Source

- [City of Duncan Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (with amendments to August 24, 2026), s. 4.5](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/175322/#page=28) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Duncan: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/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/duncan/zoning/mdr/_