---
title: "R10 zone in Nanaimo: Steep Slope Residential"
place: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/nanaimo
zone: R10
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (consolidated 2026-MAR-23)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/r10/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/r10.json"
---

# R10 zone in Nanaimo: Steep Slope Residential

Properties with steep slope characteristics; detached single residential dwelling subdivisions and clustered multiple family developments.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Properties with steep slope characteristics; detached single residential dwelling subdivisions and clustered multiple family developments.
- **Main uses:** Multiple Family Dwelling; Single Residential Dwelling
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Boarding & Lodging; Daycare; Home Based Business; Secondary Suite; Short-Term Rental (Secondary suites are only permitted where there is one single residential dwelling on the lot.)
- **Minimum lot area:** 1,200 m² (600 m² where the steep slope area is not included in the lot area); 325 m² where the average slope of the lot does not exceed 5%
- **Minimum lot width:** 15 m; for lots under 5% slope: 10.5 m (10 m on a cul-de-sac, 12 m where the lot is a corner lot)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 40%
- **Maximum density:** 16 dwelling units per hectare of land (excluding the watercourse leave strip area and statutory park dedication); Floor Area Ratio up to 0.55 for a lot with one or two dwelling units, 0.45 for three or more units
- **Maximum height:** 7 m (flat roof, under 4:12 pitch); 9 m (sloped roof, 4:12 pitch or steeper)
- **Front setback:** 4.5 m
- **Rear setback:** 7.5 m
- **Interior side setback:** 1.5 m
- **Street side setback:** 4.0 m
- **Other rules:** 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); Perimeter wall height limit of 7.32 m applies to single residential dwellings and duplexes; 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/r10/_