---
title: "R3 zone in North Cowichan: Residential One and Two-Family"
place: North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-cowichan
zone: R3
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/r3/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/zoning/r3.json"
---

# R3 zone in North Cowichan: Residential One and Two-Family

Main uses: Agriculture, Assisted Living, Bed and Breakfast, Community Care Facility, Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit, and 6 more.

## Zone rules

- **Main uses:** Agriculture; Assisted Living; Bed and Breakfast; Community Care Facility; Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit; Home-based Business; Multi-Family Residence; Secondary Suite; Single-Family Dwelling; Supportive Housing; Two-Family Dwelling
- **Extra uses on specific lots:** 6077 Mary Street, 3056 Gibbins Road, Lot 1 Sophia Road, 3214 Cowichan Lake Road, 7978 Tidemark Way, 6125 Lakeview Drive, 9921 Echo Heights, 5850 (Lot 3) Highland Avenue, 1578 Adelaide Street, 3192 Sherman Road, 5951 Highland Avenue: minimum lot size 450 m² (4,844 sq. ft.) and minimum frontage 15 m (49.21’)
- **Minimum lot area:** 670 m² (7,212 sq. ft.)
- **Minimum lot width:** 18.0 m (59.06’)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** One residential building and up to two dwelling units: 30% of lot area for lots of 650 m² (7,000 sq. ft.) or larger; 35% for lots under 650 m². Three or more dwelling units or a detached accessory dwelling unit: 35% for lots of 650 m² or larger; 40% for lots under 650 m² but over 500 m² (5,382 sq. ft.); 45% for lots of 500 m² or less
- **Maximum density:** 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
- **Maximum height:** 9.0 m (29.53')
- **Maximum height, accessory buildings:** 5.0 m (16.40')
- **Front setback:** 4.5 m (14.76’)
- **Rear setback:** 7 m (22.97’)
- **Interior side setback:** 1.5 m (4.92')
- **Street side setback:** 3.0 m (9.8') when adjacent to a lane or street
- **Accessory building setbacks:** front 5.0 m (16.40'), side 1.0 m (3.28'), rear 1.5 m (4.92')
- **Other rules:** Garage or vehicle entrance must be at least 5.8 m (19.03') from a public road other than a lane; Bed and breakfast: no more than three sleeping units, and only as an accessory use in a single-family dwelling; Assisted Living, Supportive Housing and Community Care Facilities: no more than three residents, within a single-family dwelling only; Driveway width must not exceed 6.0 m (19.68') of the lot frontage for each dwelling

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (consolidation current to September 14, 2026), s. 58](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/blc%202950_Zoning%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%20to%203974%203989%204002%203988%204008%204016.pdf#page=71) (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/r3/_