North Saanich zoning: find your zone and what it allows
How do I find out how my property is zoned and what I can build on it?
Look up your address on the District of North Saanich's online GIS map to see its zone, then read that zone's rules in Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255. For a written record, request Property File Information from the District for $75 plus GST.
Zoning map
AgriculturalResidentialCommercialPublicIndustrialComprehensive development
Search an address or click a lot on the map to see its zone and what it allows.
Zoning shown from the District of North Saanich's North Saanich GIS data, downloaded 2026-11-07. The District's zoning layer was last edited in 2017 and has no RS-1, C-6 or CD-5 to CD-7 polygons, so newer rezonings are missing from the map.
Zones in North Saanich
From District of North Saanich Zoning Bylaw No. 1255 (consolidated for convenience only, as of February 2023). The District says this consolidation is for convenience only and anyone using it should confirm the content against the original bylaws; it covers amendments through Bylaw 1538/1535 as of February 2023, so later amendments (if any) are not in it. The District's Zoning page says Bylaw 1255 remains in force while a rewrite (draft Zoning Bylaw No. 1606) is under Council review as of October 2026; the draft is not adopted and is not used here. Zone C-6 and CD-5 to CD-7 are in the text but not in the bylaw's own zone list (s. 500). Each zone has its own page with its uses, lot sizes, heights and setbacks. Zone pages are drafts taken from the bylaw text and not yet reviewed by a person.
Agricultural zones
- RA-1 Rural Agricultural 1
- RA-2 Rural Agricultural 2
- RA-3 Rural Agricultural 3
- RA-4 Rural Agricultural 4
- RA-5 Rural Agricultural 5
- RA-6 Rural Agricultural 6
- RA-7 Veterinary Clinic
Residential zones
- R-1 Single Family Residential 1
- R-2 Single Family Residential 2
- R-3 Single Family Residential 3
- RS-1 Small Lot Single Family Residential
- RM-1 Multiple Family Residential 1
- RM-2 Multiple Family Residential 2
- RM-3 Multiple Family Residential 3
Commercial zones
- M-1 Commercial Wharf
- M-2 Commercial Marina 1
- M-3 Commercial Waterfront
- M-4 Commercial Marina 2
- M-7 Marine Pub
- C-1 Local Commercial
- C-2 Restaurant Commercial
- C-3 Golf Course Commercial
- C-4 Professional Office
- C-5 Sandown Commercial
- C-6 Health Commercial
Public zones
- M-5 Non-Commercial Marine 1
- M-6 Non-Commercial Marine 2
- P-1 Community Use
- P-2 Public Assembly
- P-3 Education and Research Facility
- P-4 Park
- P-5 Private Common Area/Open Space
- P-6 Sandown Community Agriculture
- P-7 Educational and Industrial
- P-8 Public Assembly Mixed Use
- AP-1 Airport
Industrial zones
Comprehensive development zones
- CD-1 Comprehensive Development 1
- CD-2 Comprehensive Development 2
- CD-3 Comprehensive Development 3
- CD-4 Comprehensive Development 4
- CD-5 Comprehensive Development 5
- CD-6 Comprehensive Development 6
- CD-7 Comprehensive Development 7
Key facts
| How to find your zone | Use the District's online GIS mapping tool: enter an address to find the property and its permitted uses under the Zoning Bylaw. It also shows parks, water, sewer, storm drains and contours.Mapping (GIS), Mapping (GIS) page; Zoning, Zoning page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNorth Saanich GIS tool allows you to enter an address to find property and then the permitted uses within the Zoning Bylaw. To view an interactive zoning map for North Saanich, visit our GIS Mapping page. |
|---|---|
| Zoning bylaw | Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (2011). Latest consolidation is dated February 2023 (amendments to 1535). Later amendments exist: No. 1552 (adopted December 2023) and No. 1570 (2024). The District says 1255 remains in effect while a rewrite is prepared.Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (PDF, consolidated February 2023), Cover; Zoning, Zoning Bylaw; Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1552, Amendment Bylaw No. 1552 (2022), adoption · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingas of February 2023 staff will continue to use Zoning Bylaw No.1255 (2011), and the bylaw currently remains in effect. FINALLY PASSED AND ADOPTED the 4th day of December, 2023. |
| What the zone controls | Each zone sets land uses and density, structure siting, size and dimensions, marine surface-water uses (to 300 m from the shore), and subdivision lot shape and size.Zoning, Zones · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLand: the uses and density of land, buildings and other structures Structures: siting, size and dimensions of structures; and Subdivision: the shape, dimensions, and area of parcels that may be created by subdivision. |
| Contact | Planning and Community Services Department, 250-655-5470; pir@northsaanich.ca for property file information requests.Property Information, Property Information page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFor questions or assistance, please contact Planning & Community Services at 250-655-5470 or email pir@northsaanich.ca |
| Bylaw | Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (PDF, consolidated February 2023), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDISTRICT OF NORTH SAANICH ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT BYLAW NO. 1255 |
How it works
The District of North Saanich divides land into zones under Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255. Each zone controls land uses and density, where buildings sit, their size and dimensions, marine surface-water uses (to 300 m from shore), and the shape and size of new lots. The zone tables list permitted uses, lot coverage, floor area ratio, building height, setbacks and fence height.
The District says Bylaw 1255 remains in effect while a rewrite is prepared.
Steps
- Open the District's online GIS mapping tool and enter your address to see its zone and permitted uses. The map also shows parks, water, sewer, storm drains and contours.
- Find your zone in Bylaw 1255 and read its rules.
- For a written record of zoning, permits and violations, send a Property Information Request to pir@northsaanich.ca and pay the fee.
- Call Planning and Community Services at 250-655-5470 before you design.
Good to know
- The bylaw PDF on the District's site is the February 2023 consolidation. Amendments since then include No. 1552 (adopted December 2023) and No. 1570 (2024), so confirm the current rules for your zone with the District.
- The Zoning page said the rewrite was meant to be adopted before January 2026, so it may be out of date. Check the page for the current status.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sidney · Central Saanich · Highlands · Saanich · Langford · View Royal
Sources
- Zoning, District of North Saanich (read 2026-11-05)
- Mapping (GIS), District of North Saanich (read 2026-11-05)
- Property Information, District of North Saanich (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (PDF, consolidated February 2023) (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1552 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.