---
title: "A5 zone in North Cowichan: Rural Residential"
place: North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-cowichan
zone: A5
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (consolidation current to September 14, 2026)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/zoning/a5/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/zoning/a5.json"
---

# A5 zone in North Cowichan: Rural Residential

Main uses: Assisted Living, Bed and Breakfast, Community Care Facility, Home-based Business, Modular Home, and 2 more.

## Zone rules

- **Main uses:** Assisted Living; Bed and Breakfast; Community Care Facility; Home-based Business; Modular Home; Single-Family Dwelling; Supportive Housing (Two-Family Dwelling is shown as repealed.)
- **Extra uses on specific lots:** 6360 Lakes Road and 6722 Lakes Road: a second residential building no larger than 85 m² or 40% of the principal building's gross floor area, whichever is less; 3543 Auchinachie Road (PID: 004-574-176) and 6531 Bird’s Eye Drive (PID 000-971-782): two dwelling units in two residential buildings
- **Minimum lot area:** 4,000 m² (.988 acres)
- **Minimum lot width:** 45.0 m (147.63')
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 30 percent of the lot area
- **Maximum density:** Up to 2 dwelling units and 1 residential building per lot; on land of 2 hectares (4.94 acres) or larger, 2 dwelling units in 2 residential buildings are allowed if the smaller one is accessory and no more than 90 m² of gross floor area
- **Maximum height:** 9.0 m (29.53')
- **Maximum height, accessory buildings:** 5.0 m (16.40')
- **Front setback:** 6.0 m (19.68')
- **Rear setback:** 8.0 m (26.25')
- **Interior side setback:** 3.0 m (9.84')
- **Accessory building setbacks:** front 6.0 m (19.68'), side 3.0 m (9.84'), rear 3.0 m (9.84')
- **Other rules:** Bed and breakfast: no more than six sleeping units; Assisted Living, Supportive Housing and Community Care Facilities: no more than ten residents, within a single-family dwelling only

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (consolidation current to September 14, 2026), s. 55](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/blc%202950_Zoning%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%20to%203974%203989%204002%203988%204008%204016.pdf#page=57) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in North Cowichan: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/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/north-cowichan/zoning/a5/_