{"title":"R5 zone in Nanaimo: Three and Four Unit Residential","code":"R5","slug":"r5","name":"Three and Four Unit Residential","group":"Residential","section":"Part 7","site_specific_zone":false,"summary":"Small-scale multiple family residential dwellings of up to four units, compatible with the scale or enhancing the architectural style of single family residential development in the area.","fields":{"purpose":{"value":"Small-scale multiple family residential dwellings of up to four units, compatible with the scale or enhancing the architectural style of single family residential development in the area.","quotes":["This zone provides for the development of small-scale multiple family","residential dwellings, of up to four units, that are compatible with the scale","or enhance the architectural style of single family residential development"]},"primary_uses":{"value":["Duplex","Multiple Family Dwelling","Single Residential Dwelling"],"note":"A maximum of two principal buildings is permitted on a lot.","quotes":["R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R14 R15","Duplex P -- -- P P P -- -- -- -- -- -- P P","Multiple -- -- -- -- P P P P P P -- -- P P","Single P P P P P P -- P P P P P P P","two principal","buildings shall"]},"secondary_uses":{"value":["Boarding & Lodging","Daycare","Home Based Business","Secondary Suite","Short-Term Rental"],"note":"Secondary suites are only permitted where no more than two principal dwelling units exist on the lot.","quotes":["R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R14 R15","Boarding & A A A A A A A A A A -- -- A A","Daycare A A A A A A A A A A A A A A","Home Based A A A A A A A A A A -- A A A","Secondary A A A A A A A A A A -- -- A A","Short-Term A A A A A A A A A A A A A A","a) in the R5 and R14 zones, secondary suites are only permitted where","no more than two principal dwelling units exist on the lot; and"]},"min_parcel_area":{"value":"600 m²; 550 m² where the lot can be accessed from a lane","quotes":["R5 600m2 15m 30m","Zone Minimum Lot Size Minimum Lot Minimum Lot","550m2 - L 26.5m - L","L = Indicates where the lot can be accessed from a lane abutting a side or rear property line."]},"min_parcel_width":{"value":"15 m","quotes":["R5 600m2 15m 30m","Zone Minimum Lot Size Minimum Lot Minimum Lot"]},"max_parcel_coverage":{"value":"50%","quotes":["R5 50% 9m 10.5m N/A","Zone Lot Height of Height of Principal Perimeter Wall Height"]},"max_density":{"value":"Three dwelling units; one additional dwelling unit where the lot is 280 m² or greater","quotes":["R5 Three dwelling units.","Where the lot is a 280m2 or greater in lot area, one additional","dwelling unit is permitted."]},"max_height":{"value":"9 m (flat roof, under 4:12 pitch); 10.5 m (sloped roof, 4:12 pitch or steeper)","quotes":["R5 50% 9m 10.5m N/A","(< than 4:12","Sloped Roof 1 (≥","- Flat Roof 1"]},"setback_front":{"value":"3.0 m","quotes":["R5 3.0m 1.5m 2.5m 7.5m","Zone Front Yard Side Yard Flanking Side Rear Yard"]},"setback_rear":{"value":"7.5 m","quotes":["R5 3.0m 1.5m 2.5m 7.5m","Zone Front Yard Side Yard Flanking Side Rear Yard"]},"setback_side_interior":{"value":"1.5 m","quotes":["R5 3.0m 1.5m 2.5m 7.5m","Zone Front Yard Side Yard Flanking Side Rear Yard"]},"setback_side_exterior":{"value":"2.5 m","quotes":["R5 3.0m 1.5m 2.5m 7.5m","Zone Front Yard Side Yard Flanking Side Rear Yard"]},"other":{"value":["Where the use is a single residential dwelling, setbacks, lot coverage and height follow the R1 zone","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"],"quotes":["7.5.7 Notwithstanding Subsection 7.5.1, where the principal use is a single residential dwelling","in the R5 or R8 zone, the minimum required setback from the property lines shall be as","7.6.4 Notwithstanding Subsection 7.6.1, where the principal use is a single residential dwelling","in the R5 or R8 zone, the maximum allowable lot coverage, maximum height of a principal","street must be setback at least 6m where:","a) the principal use is a single residential dwelling or duplex; or","where a property line abuts a major road, an additional","2.5m front and/or flanking side yard setback is required when the dedication to achieve"]}},"bylaw":{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (consolidated 2026-MAR-23)","url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf","accessed":"2026-11-07","note":"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)."},"source_url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf#page=66","place":{"path":"ca/bc/nanaimo","name":"Nanaimo","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/r5/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/r5.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/r5.json","index":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/index.json"}}