---
title: "R4 zone in Nanaimo: Two Unit Residential"
place: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/nanaimo
zone: R4
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (consolidated 2026-MAR-23)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/r4/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/r4.json"
---

# R4 zone in Nanaimo: Two Unit Residential

Two dwellings in one or two principal buildings on a residential lot.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Two dwellings in one or two principal buildings on a residential lot.
- **Main uses:** Duplex; Single Residential Dwelling
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Boarding & Lodging; Daycare; Home Based Business; Secondary Suite; Short-Term Rental
- **Minimum lot area:** 600 m²; 550 m² where the lot can be accessed from a lane
- **Minimum lot width:** 15 m
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 40%
- **Maximum density:** Two dwelling units with a total Floor Area Ratio of no greater than 0.55
- **Maximum height:** 7 m (flat roof, under 4:12 pitch); 9 m (sloped roof, 4:12 pitch or steeper)
- **Front setback:** 3.0 m
- **Rear setback:** 7.5 m
- **Interior side setback:** 1.5 m
- **Street side setback:** 2.5 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/r4/_