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R-7 zone in Lake Cowichan: Multi-unit Residential

Lake Cowichan, British ColumbiaDraft, not yet reviewedBylaw read 2026-11-08

In short

Multiple residential dwellings in medium to high density environments.

Zone rules

PurposeMultiple residential dwellings in medium to high density environments.
Main uses
  • Side by side two-unit dwelling (duplex)
  • Multi-unit dwellings (all types)
  • Lodges and boarding houses
Also allowed (secondary uses)
  • Home-based business, accessory to an existing non-conforming single detached dwelling
  • Secondary suite within an existing non-conforming single detached dwelling
  • Secondary suite on a duplex lot (corner lot, or garage with tandem parking, or lot of at least 780 m²)
  • Home-based business in a duplex (within the size limit for the suite)
Extra uses on specific lots
  • Rental only tenure for 100% of the units in any quadplex or townhouse on the unsubdivided remainder of Lot A and B, Plan VIP30829, Section 5, Renfrew Land District (124 Elk Road and 130 Elk Road)
  • Rental only tenure for 25% of the apartment or townhouse units on Lot 2, Plan EPP107675, District Lot 48 (Edgewood Drive)
  • Rental only tenure for 25% of the triplex, quadplex, townhouse or apartment units on Lot 2, Plan VIP 60160, Section 6 (corner of Youbou Road and MacDonald Road)
  • Rental only tenure for 50% of units on Lot A, Block 16, Plan 1231 (15 South Shore Road)
  • Rental only tenure for 100% of units on Lot 2, Block 9, Plan VIP 1231, District Lot 12 (172 South Shore Road)
  • Rental only tenure for 100% of units on Lot 1, Block 9, Plan VIP 1231, District Lot 12 (96 Cowichan Avenue)
  • Rental only tenure for 25% of units on Lot B, Plan VIP 44661, District Lot 16 (Cowichan Lake Road)
  • Rental only for 100% of units on Lot 1, Plan VIP 33840, District Lot 12 (61 King George Street North)
  • Rental only tenure for 100% of residential units on Lot 2, Plan VIP 5631, Section 6 (30 North Shore Road)
  • Rental only tenure for 100% of units on Lot 16, Block 6, Plan VIP 1231, District Lot 12 (89 Lakeview Avenue)
  • Rental only tenure for 100% of units on Lot A, Plan VIP 54676, Section 6, Renfrew Land District (201 Cowichan Lake Road)
  • Rental only tenure for 100% of units on Lot 14, Plan VIP6253, Section 6 (68 Stanley Road)
Minimum lot area667 m² (multi-unit buildings in OCP-designated Downtown and Uptown areas, up to 3 storeys); 1,334 m² (4 and 5 storeys in those areas); no minimum stated for other types
Maximum lot coverage50% (multi-unit buildings over 10 m², two-unit residential, lodging and boarding house, triplex); 75% (in OCP-designated Downtown and Uptown areas, subject to rezoning to Comprehensive Development or density bonus amenity provisions); accessory structures under 10 m² as provided for the use
Maximum density100 units per hectare gross density in OCP-designated Downtown and Uptown areas (subject to rezoning to Comprehensive Development or density bonus amenity provisions)
Maximum height11.0 m (multi-unit buildings over 10 m²; two-unit residential, lodging and boarding house, triplex); 17 m / 5 storeys in OCP-designated Downtown and Uptown areas (subject to rezoning to Comprehensive Development or density bonus amenity provisions); minimum 3 habitable storeys in Downtown and Uptown areas
Maximum height, accessory buildings4.5 m (accessory structures under 10 m²); 11.0 m for accessory buildings over 10 m² with two-unit residential, lodging and boarding house or triplex
Front setbackMinimum 9 m (multi-unit buildings over 10 m²); 3 m (Downtown and Uptown areas, maximum 6 m); 7.5 m (two-unit residential, lodging and boarding house, triplex); accessory structures under 10 m²: as provided for by the use (maximum 7.5 m)
Rear setback4.5 m
Interior side setback4.5 m (multi-unit buildings over 10 m²); 1.5 m (Downtown and Uptown areas); 2.0 m (two-unit residential, lodging and boarding house, triplex), or 0.0 m for side-by-side duplex separated only by a common party wall; 0.6 m (accessory structures under 10 m²)
Street side setbackMinimum 4.5 m (multi-unit buildings over 10 m²); 3 m (Downtown and Uptown areas, maximum 6 m); 3.0 m (two-unit residential, lodging and boarding house, triplex); 3.0 m (accessory structures under 10 m²)
Other rules
  • Minimum dwelling unit sizes: bachelor apartment 33 m², one-bedroom 59 m², two-bedroom 70 m², three-bedroom 85 m²
  • More than one principal building is permitted where the principal use is a multi-unit dwelling
  • Minimum recreation area 4% (not required for accessory structures under 10 m²)
  • Minimum landscaped area 5% (not required for accessory structures under 10 m²)

Source: Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021 (consolidated as of February 24, 2026), s. Part V (read 2026-11-08)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply, and a lot can have site-specific rules. Zone pages are taken from the bylaw text by a research agent and have not yet been reviewed by a person: confirm with the bylaw before you rely on them. How answers are checked.

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