---
title: "W3 zone in North Cowichan: Mixed Use Commercial Water Lot"
place: North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-cowichan
zone: W3
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/w3/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/zoning/w3.json"
---

# W3 zone in North Cowichan: Mixed Use Commercial Water Lot

Main uses: Accessory Dwelling Unit, Aquarium, Boat Charter, Boat Ramp, Boat Rental, and 17 more.

## Zone rules

- **Main uses:** Accessory Dwelling Unit; Aquarium; Boat Charter; Boat Ramp; Boat Rental; Boat Shelter; Float; Float Home (subject to “Float Home Standards Bylaw 1999", No. 3015); Home-based Business; Marina; Marine Museum; Marine-related Office; Moorage Facility; Parking Use; Pier; Sale of Boats; Sale of Seafood; Water Taxi; Walkway; Way; Wharf; Yacht Club
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Marine-fueling Facility (lots with a W3a designation)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** Boat shelters and walkways (fixed or floating) together up to 50% of the water lot surface; buildings and structures on wharves up to 10% of the total water lot area
- **Maximum height:** 10.0 m (33') measured from the highwater mark; boat hoists, gantries and similar equipment are unrestricted
- **Other rules:** Floats, wharves, piers, ways and walkways must be within a lawful water lot lease area

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (consolidation current to September 14, 2026), s. 66](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/blc%202950_Zoning%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%20to%203974%203989%204002%203988%204008%204016.pdf#page=92) (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/w3/_