R2 zone in Nanaimo: Single Dwelling Residential - Small Lot

Nanaimo, British ColumbiaDraft, not yet reviewedBylaw read 2026-11-07

In short

Small lot subdivisions that add to the mix of housing in the city while offering affordable and sustainable single residential dwellings.

Zone rules

Purpose	Small lot subdivisions that add to the mix of housing in the city while offering affordable and sustainable single residential dwellings.
Main uses	Single Residential Dwelling
Also allowed (secondary uses)	Boarding & Lodging Daycare Home Based Business Secondary Suite Short-Term Rental
Minimum lot area	325 m²; 290 m² where the lot can be accessed from a lane
Minimum lot width	10 m; 11.5 m where the lot is a corner lot
Maximum lot coverage	40%
Maximum density	One single residential dwelling.
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	6.0 m
Interior side setback	1.5 m
Street side setback	3.0 m
Other rules	Perimeter wall height limit of 7.32 m Where a lane exists, driveway access must be from the lane 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)

Source: Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. Part 7 (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply, and a lot can have site-specific rules. The bylaw is organised by part (one part per zone family, with shared use and regulation tables), so zone line ranges cover the whole part. CD3 is deleted in the bylaw. Zones R1a and R1b are subzones of R1 (R1 / R1a / R1b). 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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