---
title: "R-1 zone in Oak Bay: Residential Use"
place: Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/oak-bay
zone: R-1
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw 3531, 1986 (office consolidation to June 8, 2026)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/zoning/r-1/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/zoning/r-1.json"
---

# R-1 zone in Oak Bay: Residential Use

Main uses: One-unit dwelling, Two-unit dwelling, Multiple-unit dwelling.

## Zone rules

- **Main uses:** One-unit dwelling; Two-unit dwelling; Multiple-unit dwelling
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Boarding; Secondary Suite; Accessory dwelling unit; Small-scale urban agriculture; Home-based child care; Residential business use
- **Maximum lot coverage:** Principal building: 25% for a one-unit dwelling; 30% (including accessory buildings and accessory dwelling units) for two or more dwelling units. Accessory buildings and accessory structures: 5% each
- **Maximum density:** Up to four dwelling units (two on heritage designated lots listed in Schedule F). Floor area ratio 0.2 for up to two units; 0.25 for three or four units
- **Maximum height:** Set by lot breadth (Schedule B); principal building no more than three storeys including basements
- **Maximum height, accessory buildings:** Accessory buildings 3.0 m (6.0 m for an accessory dwelling unit); accessory structures 4.6 m. Accessory dwelling unit no more than 2 storeys
- **Front setback:** 10.7 m
- **Rear setback:** 7.6 m
- **Interior side setback:** 3.0 m; The Uplands follow Schedule C
- **Street side setback:** 7.6 m
- **Accessory building setbacks:** Accessory buildings: front 10.7 m, rear 1.5 m, interior side 1.5 m, exterior side 7.6 m. Accessory structures: front 10.7 m, rear 1.5 m, side 1.5 m, exterior side 7.6 m. Accessory dwelling unit: rear 3.0 m, interior side 3.0 m, exterior side 6.0 m
- **Other rules:** Up to two principal buildings; Live landscaping at least 50%; impermeable surface at most 40%; 3 m clear space between buildings and structures

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw 3531, 1986 (office consolidation to June 8, 2026), s. Part 6](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/3531-Oak-Bay-Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf#page=52) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Oak Bay: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/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/oak-bay/zoning/r-1/_