---
title: "R1 zone in Nanaimo: Single Dwelling Residential"
place: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/nanaimo
zone: R1
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (consolidated 2026-MAR-23)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/r1/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/r1.json"
---

# R1 zone in Nanaimo: Single Dwelling Residential

Low density single residential dwelling developments, and also two principal dwellings on certain corner lots.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Low density single residential dwelling developments, and also two principal dwellings on certain corner lots.
- **Main uses:** Duplex; Single Residential Dwelling
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Boarding & Lodging; Daycare; Home Based Business; Secondary Suite; Short-Term Rental
- **Minimum lot area:** 500 m²; 450 m² where the lot can be accessed from a lane
- **Minimum lot width:** 15 m; 10 m where lane-accessed or on a cul-de-sac
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 40%
- **Maximum density:** One single residential dwelling. On a corner lot over 700 m² that cannot be subdivided, up to two single residential dwellings or one duplex (one front door facing the front yard, the other the flanking side yard). One extra single residential dwelling where the lot is over 0.4 hectares.
- **Maximum height:** 7 m (flat roof, under 4:12 pitch); 9 m (sloped roof, 4:12 pitch or steeper)
- **Front setback:** 4.5 m (4 m if a side yard of 3 m or more is provided on at least one side)
- **Rear setback:** 7.5 m
- **Interior side setback:** 1.5 m
- **Street side setback:** 4.0 m
- **Other rules:** Perimeter wall height limit of 7.32 m; Garage doors and carport entrances facing a street must be set back at least 6 m where the principal use is a single residential dwelling or duplex (or the lot is R5); An extra 2.5 m front and/or flanking side setback applies where a lot abuts a major road and the road widening has not been dedicated

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. Part 7](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf#page=66) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Nanaimo: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/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/nanaimo/zoning/r1/_