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R3-S zone in North Cowichan: Residential Small Lot Single-Family

North Cowichan, British ColumbiaDraft, not yet reviewedBylaw read 2026-11-07

In short

Main uses: Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit, Multi-Family Residence, Secondary Suite, Single-Family Dwelling, Two-Family Dwelling, and 1 more.

Zone rules

Main uses
  • Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit
  • Multi-Family Residence
  • Secondary Suite
  • Single-Family Dwelling
  • Two-Family Dwelling
  • Home-based Business
Minimum lot area325 m² (3,498 sq. ft.); panhandle lots 450 m² (4,844 sq. ft.) excluding the panhandle
Minimum lot width11.5 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)
Maximum lot coverageOne 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
Maximum density1 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
Maximum height9.0 m (29.53')
Maximum height, accessory buildings5.0 m (16.4')
Front setback4.5 m (14.76')
Rear setback6.0 m (19.68')
Interior side setback1.5 m (4.92')
Street side setback3.0 m (9.84') when adjacent to a highway
Accessory building setbacksfront 5.0 m (16.4'), side 1.0 m (3.28'), rear 1.0 m (3.28')
Other rules
  • 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

Source: Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (consolidation current to September 14, 2026), s. 58.2 (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 The cover says the bylaw was consolidated by the Corporate Officer; the repealed zones CD3, CD5 and CD7 are not listed.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). 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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