---
title: "R8 zone in Nanaimo: Medium Density Residential"
place: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/nanaimo
zone: R8
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (consolidated 2026-MAR-23)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/r8/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/r8.json"
---

# R8 zone in Nanaimo: Medium Density Residential

Medium-density, multiple family developments on specific lots, compatible with other residential and neighbouring commercial land uses.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Medium-density, multiple family developments on specific lots, compatible with other residential and neighbouring commercial land uses.
- **Main uses:** Multiple Family Dwelling; Rooming House; Single Residential Dwelling
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Boarding & Lodging; Convenience Store; Daycare; Home Based Business; Secondary Suite; Short-Term Rental
- **Extra uses on specific lots:** Hotel: 809 Island Highway; 1577 Stewart Avenue; Personal Care Facility: 6085, 6095 and 6081 Uplands Drive; 3425 Uplands Drive
- **Minimum lot area:** 1,800 m²
- **Minimum lot width:** 15 m
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 40%
- **Maximum density:** Floor Area Ratio up to 1.25; plus 0.1 for Schedule D Tier 1 or 0.25 for Tier 2; extra for underground parking (Floor area ratio may also be increased for parking under the principal building.)
- **Maximum height:** 14 m
- **Front setback:** 6.0 m
- **Rear setback:** 10.5 m
- **Interior side setback:** 3.0 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); Where the use is a single residential dwelling, setbacks, lot coverage and height follow the R1 zone; 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/r8/_