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W2 zone in Nanaimo: Harbour Waterfront

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

In short

Active marine uses such as ship yards, fishing fleet support, float homes, moorage and water-based transportation, plus marine retail, tourism, recreation and medium density residential up to four storeys

Zone rules

PurposeActive marine uses such as ship yards, fishing fleet support, float homes, moorage and water-based transportation, plus marine retail, tourism, recreation and medium density residential up to four storeys
Main uses
  • Boat Construction and Repair
  • Boat and Marine Sales, Service and Rental
  • Canoe and Kayak Rental
  • Convention Centre
  • Cruise Ship Terminal
  • Ferry Terminal
  • Floats and Wharves
  • Hotel
  • Marina
  • Marine Equipment Sales
  • Marine Fueling Station
  • Moorage
  • Multiple Family Dwelling
  • Museums
  • Neighbourhood Pub
  • Piers and Walkways
  • Public Markets
  • Recreational Facility
  • Research Facility
  • Restaurant
  • Retail
  • Seaplane Terminal
  • Seafood Sales
  • Tourist Facility
  • Water Taxi
  • Yacht Club
Also allowed (secondary uses)
  • Float Homes
  • Office
  • Seafood Processing
  • Single Family Dwelling
  • Short-Term Rental
Extra uses on specific lotsCannabis Retail Store: 1840 Stewart Avenue (lease PL220, Nanaimo District)
Minimum lot area900 m²
Minimum lot width30 m
Maximum lot coverage50%
Maximum density1.00 base; +0.25 where at least 50% of the required parking is underground; +0.25 for continuous tourist accommodation, tourist facilities or public markets (at least 10% of total floor area) with another permitted use; +0.15 where dedicated public access to the waterfront is provided
Maximum height11 m (an additional 3 m where at least 60% of the required parking area is below or beneath a building)
Front setback4.5 m
Rear setback10 m (no rear setback for a restaurant or neighbourhood pub extending no more than 50% of the lot width)
Interior side setback3 m on one side and 6 m on the other
Street side setback4 m
Other rules
  • Minimum lot depth 30 m
  • Each retail store is limited to 500 m² Gross Floor Area
  • Float homes only in a marina, on no more than 50% of its moorage space, and no taller than 8.25 m above the water

Source: Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. Part 15 (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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