GovHandbook

R7 zone in North Cowichan: Residential Multi-Family

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

In short

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 area1,120 m² (12,056 sq. ft.)
Minimum lot width30 m (98.43')
Maximum lot coverage30% of the lot area, including covered parking; 35% where 2/3 of the required off-street parking is covered
Maximum densityOne 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 height9.0 m (29.53')
Maximum height, accessory buildings5.0 m (16.40')
Front setback6.0 m (19.68')
Rear setback8.0 m (26.25')
Interior side setback5.0 m (16.40')
Accessory building setbacksfront 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 (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 The cover says the bylaw was consolidated by the Corporate Officer; the repealed zones CD3, CD5 and CD7 are not listed.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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