---
title: "R7 zone in North Cowichan: Residential Multi-Family"
place: North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-cowichan
zone: R7
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/r7/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/zoning/r7.json"
---

# R7 zone in North Cowichan: Residential Multi-Family

Main uses: Apartment, Congregate Housing, Limited Home-based Business, Townhouse (subject to the provisions of the R6 zone, except section 61 (4)), Two-Family Dwelling.

## Zone rules

- **Main uses:** Apartment; Congregate Housing; Limited Home-based Business; Townhouse (subject to the provisions of the R6 zone, except section 61 (4)); Two-Family Dwelling
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Secondary Suite (within Single-Family Dwelling)
- **Minimum lot area:** 1,120 m² (12,056 sq. ft.)
- **Minimum lot width:** 30 m (98.43')
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 30% of the lot area, including covered parking; 35% where 2/3 of the required off-street parking is covered
- **Maximum density:** One dwelling unit per 280 m² (3,013.90 sq. ft.) of lot area for townhouses; one per 300 m² (3,229.17 sq. ft.) averaged for a building strata of single-family dwellings and secondary suites; floor space ratio 0.5:1 for townhouse, two-family and single-family uses; 0.6:1 for apartments
- **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:** 5.0 m (16.40')
- **Accessory building setbacks:** front 6.0 m (19.68'), side 1.0 m (3.28'), rear 1.5 m (4.92')
- **Other rules:** Secondary suite must be at least 37 m² and no larger than 85 m² or 40% of the principal dwelling unit, whichever is less; 30% of the lot area must be landscaped open space; 4.5% of the lot area must be a recreation area (at least 40 m²); Two-family dwellings cannot exceed 15% of total dwelling units in the development

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (consolidation current to September 14, 2026), s. 62](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/blc%202950_Zoning%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%20to%203974%203989%204002%203988%204008%204016.pdf#page=84) (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/r7/_