{"title":"R3-S zone in North Cowichan: Residential Small Lot Single-Family","code":"R3-S","slug":"r3-s","name":"Residential Small Lot Single-Family","group":"Residential","section":"58.2","site_specific_zone":false,"summary":"Main uses: Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit, Multi-Family Residence, Secondary Suite, Single-Family Dwelling, Two-Family Dwelling, and 1 more.","fields":{"primary_uses":{"value":["Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit","Multi-Family Residence","Secondary Suite","Single-Family Dwelling","Two-Family Dwelling","Home-based Business"],"quotes":["Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit","Multi-Family Residence","Secondary Suite","Single-Family Dwelling","Two-Family Dwelling","Home-based Business"]},"min_parcel_area":{"value":"325 m² (3,498 sq. ft.); panhandle lots 450 m² (4,844 sq. ft.) excluding the panhandle","quotes":["The minimum permitted lot size for the R3-S zone is 325 m2 (3,498 sq. ft.).","lot, excluding the panhandle, is 450","m2 (4,844 sq. ft.)."]},"min_parcel_width":{"value":"11.5 m (37.73') where the lot frontage is on a highway; 8.0 m (26.25') where on a cul-de-sac (not panhandle lots)","quotes":["(a) 11.5 m (37.73') where the lot frontage is on a highway;","(b) 8.0 m (26.25') where the lot frontage is on a cul-de-sac."]},"max_parcel_coverage":{"value":"One residential building and up to two dwelling units: 40% of lot area. Three or more dwelling units or a detached accessory dwelling unit: 45% for lots of 400 m² (4,306 sq. ft.) or larger; 50% for lots under 400 m²","quotes":["permitted lot coverage in the R3-S zone is 40% of the lot area.","(a) 45% of the lot area for lots 400 m2 (4,306 sq. ft.) or larger;","(b) 50% of the lot area for lots less than 400 m² (4,306 sq. ft.)."]},"max_density":{"value":"1 residential building (plus one detached accessory dwelling unit if the principal building is a single-family dwelling with or without a secondary suite). Dwelling units: 3 on lots under 280 m²; 4 on lots 280 m² to 4,050 m² (1 acre); 2 on lots over 4,050 m²","quotes":["The number of residential buildings shall not exceed one, except, where the principal","in which case one detached accessory dwelling unit is also permitted.","Three in the case of lots that are less than 280 m² (3,014 sq. ft.) in area.","Four in the case of lots that are at least 280 m² (3,014 sq. ft.) but not more than","4,050 m² (1 acre) in area.","Two in the case of lots that are greater than 4,050 m² (1 acre) in area."]},"max_height":{"value":"9.0 m (29.53')","quotes":["(a) Principal Building, 9.0 m (29.53')"]},"max_height_accessory":{"value":"5.0 m (16.4')","quotes":["(b) Accessory Building, 5.0 m (16.4')"]},"setback_front":{"value":"4.5 m (14.76')","quotes":["(a) Principal Buildings","Yard, Front, 4.5 m (14.76')"]},"setback_rear":{"value":"6.0 m (19.68')","quotes":["Yard, Rear, 6.0 m (19.68')"]},"setback_side_interior":{"value":"1.5 m (4.92')","quotes":["Yard, Side, 1.5 m (4.92')"]},"setback_side_exterior":{"value":"3.0 m (9.84') when adjacent to a highway","quotes":["Yard, Side when adjacent to a highway, 3.0 m (9.84')"]},"accessory_setbacks":{"value":"front 5.0 m (16.4'), side 1.0 m (3.28'), rear 1.0 m (3.28')","quotes":["(b) Accessory Buildings and Structures (Excluding Fences)","Yard, Front, 5.0 m (16.4')","Yard, Side, 1.0 m (3.28')","Yard, Rear, 1.0 m (3.28')"]},"other":{"value":["Vehicle entrance of a garage or carport must be at least 5.8 m (19.03') from a highway other than a lane","Where a rear lane is available, vehicle access is only from the lane","Only one garage or carport per lot","Multi-family residence requires 0.75 parking spaces per dwelling unit"],"quotes":["building to a highway other than a lane is 5.8 m (19.03').","Where a rear lane is available, vehicular access to the lot is only permitted from the lane;","Only one garage or carport shall be allowed per lot;","a multi-family residence requires 0.75 parking spaces per dwelling"]}},"bylaw":{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (consolidation current to September 14, 2026)","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/blc%202950_Zoning%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%20to%203974%203989%204002%203988%204008%204016.pdf","accessed":"2026-11-07","note":"The cover says the bylaw was consolidated by the Corporate Officer; the repealed zones CD3, CD5 and CD7 are not listed. Suffix a or b on a zone code (for example W2a) marks a sub-zone with additional uses (s. 44)."},"source_url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/blc%202950_Zoning%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%20to%203974%203989%204002%203988%204008%204016.pdf#page=75","place":{"path":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/zoning/r3-s/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/zoning/r3-s.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/zoning/r3-s.json","index":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/zoning/index.json"}}