---
title: "W3 zone in Nanaimo: Newcastle Waterfront"
place: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/nanaimo
zone: W3
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (consolidated 2026-MAR-23)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/w3/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/w3.json"
---

# W3 zone in Nanaimo: Newcastle Waterfront

A mix of marinas and marine related uses, commercial, recreational, open space and low to medium density residential

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** A mix of marinas and marine related uses, commercial, recreational, open space and low to medium density residential
- **Main uses:** Boat and Marine Sales, Service and Rental; Canoe and Kayak Rental; Convention Centre; Ferry Terminal; Floats and Wharves; Marina; Marine Equipment Sales; Marine Fueling Station; Moorage; Multiple Family Dwelling; Museums; Neighbourhood Pub; Piers and Walkways; Recreational Facility; Restaurant; Retail; Tourist Facility; Water Taxi; Yacht Club
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Office; Single Family Dwelling; Short-Term Rental
- **Minimum lot area:** 900 m²
- **Minimum lot width:** 30 m
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 40%
- **Maximum density:** 0.25 base; +0.15 where a minimum 3 m wide dedicated public access to the waterfront is provided
- **Maximum height:** 9 m
- **Front setback:** 4.5 m
- **Rear setback:** 10 m (no rear setback for a restaurant or neighbourhood pub extending no more than 50% of the lot width)
- **Interior side setback:** 3 m on one side and 6 m on the other
- **Street side setback:** 4 m
- **Other rules:** Minimum lot depth 20 m; Canoe and kayak rental buildings are limited to 70 m² Gross Floor Area; Each retail store is limited to 500 m² Gross Floor Area

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. Part 15](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf#page=125) (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/w3/_