---
title: "R-5 zone in Lake Cowichan: Single Detached and Duplex Residential"
place: Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/lake-cowichan
zone: R-5
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021 (consolidated as of February 24, 2026)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-08
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/zoning/r-5/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/zoning/r-5.json"
---

# R-5 zone in Lake Cowichan: Single Detached and Duplex Residential

Single detached and duplex dwellings on small lots at medium density in an urban setting.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Single detached and duplex dwellings on small lots at medium density in an urban setting.
- **Main uses:** Single detached; Duplex
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Secondary suite in a single detached dwelling; Secondary suite in a duplex (corner lot, or garage with tandem parking, or lot of at least 780 m²); Home-based business (within the size limits for the suite)
- **Extra uses on specific lots:** Bed and Breakfast is an accessory use where the map shows designation R-5 B
- **Minimum lot area:** 350 m² (single dwelling); 600 m² (duplex on a single strata lot); 300 m² (duplex, each unit on its own fee simple lot)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 50%
- **Maximum height:** 11.0 m; for all building types except townhouses the third storey must have a minimum roof slope of 8 vertical to 12 horizontal
- **Maximum height, accessory buildings:** 7.5 m (accessory buildings over 10 m²); 3.5 m (accessory structures under 10 m²)
- **Front setback:** Single detached and duplex: 6.0 m to garage face; 4.5 m to front face of dwelling; garage face must be at least 1.5 m further back than the dwelling front face
- **Rear setback:** 4.5 m
- **Interior side setback:** 1.5 m
- **Street side setback:** 1.5 m
- **Accessory building setbacks:** Accessory structures under 10 m²: front 4.5 m, rear 0.6 m, interior side 0.6 m, exterior side 1.5 m
- **Other rules:** Maximum 3 storeys; One accessory dwelling unit is permitted on a lot; Secondary suite: at most 40% of the principal dwelling's floor area or 85 m² (whichever is less); at least 30 m²; at most 2 bedrooms

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021 (consolidated as of February 24, 2026), s. Part V](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl//1055-2021%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%2026-02-24.pdf#page=21) (read 2026-11-08)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Lake Cowichan: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/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/lake-cowichan/zoning/r-5/_