---
title: "HC1 zone in Nelson: Highway Commercial Zone"
place: Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/nelson
zone: HC1
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026 (adopted April 14, 2026)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/zoning/hc1/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/zoning/hc1.json"
---

# HC1 zone in Nelson: Highway Commercial Zone

Commercial uses along the provincial highway corridor that serve the day-to-day needs of commuters and residents of adjacent neighbourhoods.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Commercial uses along the provincial highway corridor that serve the day-to-day needs of commuters and residents of adjacent neighbourhoods.
- **Main uses:** Animal Daycare; Care Services; Car Wash; Contractor Services, Limited; Custom Indoor Manufacturing; Financial Services; Funeral Home; Health Services; Mechanical Repair, Service and Sales; Mobile Vendor; Neighbourhood Pub; Participant Recreation Services, Indoor; Personal Service Establishment; Restaurant; Retail (Minor); Service Station; Tourist Accommodation; Veterinary Clinic
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Dwelling units (exclusively non-market affordable housing, or combined with a non-residential use) (Combined dwelling units must be in the same building, above or behind (or below an at-grade) non-residential use, with at least 50% of street-level floor area non-residential.)
- **Minimum lot area:** 1,000 m²
- **Minimum lot width:** Not less than one-tenth of the perimeter of the lot
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 60%
- **Maximum height:** 11 m and no more than 3 storeys if in Lower Uphill (as identified in the Official Community Plan); otherwise 14 m and no more than 4 storeys
- **Maximum height, accessory buildings:** 4.5 m
- **Front setback:** 1.5 m
- **Rear setback:** 0 m, but 1.5 m if the lot is not served by a constructed rear lane
- **Interior side setback:** 0 m; 1.5 m for one interior side if the lot has no constructed rear lane; 3 m next to residential zoning if one storey; 4.5 m next to residential zoning if two or more storeys
- **Street side setback:** 4.5 m
- **Other rules:** At least 10% of the lot must be permeable surface.; Exterior, unenclosed storage of goods or materials is not permitted.; Service station pumps or pump islands must follow the Fire Services Act and BC Fire Code.

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026 (adopted April 14, 2026), s. 12.5](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/31803/#page=106) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Nelson: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/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/nelson/zoning/hc1/_