{"title":"R-4 zone in Oak Bay: Residential Use","code":"R-4","slug":"r-4","name":"Residential Use","group":"Residential","section":"Part 6","site_specific_zone":false,"summary":"Main uses: One-unit dwelling, Two-unit dwelling, Multiple-unit dwelling.","fields":{"primary_uses":{"value":["One-unit dwelling","Two-unit dwelling","Multiple-unit dwelling"],"quotes":["(a) One-unit dwelling","(b) Two-unit dwelling","(c) Multiple-unit dwelling"]},"secondary_uses":{"value":["Boarding","Secondary Suite","Accessory dwelling unit","Small-scale urban agriculture","Home-based child care","Residential business use"],"quotes":["A Boarding use conforming to 4.2.1.","Secondary Suite use conforming to 4.2.13","Accessory Dwelling Unit","small-scale urban agriculture, provided,","Home-based child care.","A Residential business use conforming to 4.2.8."]},"max_parcel_coverage":{"value":"One-unit dwelling 30% (35% if single storey) for all buildings and structures, of which up to 7% may be accessory buildings; 30% for two or more dwelling units. An extra 7% is allowed for an accessory dwelling unit where an existing dwelling was granted occupancy before November 30, 2023","quotes":["One-Unit Dwelling 30% for all buildings and structures, of which","One-Unit Dwelling (Single Storey) 35% for all buildings and structures, of which","Two or more Dwelling Units 30%","An additional 7% Lot Coverage is permitted","to November 30, 2023"]},"max_density":{"value":"Up to four dwelling units (two on heritage designated lots listed in Schedule F). Floor area ratio 0.4 for up to two units; 0.5 for two units where one is an accessory dwelling unit; 0.6 for three or four units","quotes":["Density shall not exceed four (4) dwelling units, except:","building shall not exceed 0.4.","one (1) unit is an Accessory Dwelling Unit, shall not exceed 0.5.","on the lot shall not exceed 0.6."]},"max_height":{"value":"Up to two units: set by lot breadth (Schedule B); three or four units: 8.5 m (27.9'). Principal building no more than three storeys including basements","quotes":["8.5 m (27.9’)","N O T E: To be determined as a function of lot breadth in accordance with Schedule B","not exceed three (3)","storeys including"]},"max_height_accessory":{"value":"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","quotes":["(a) Building Height where no See NOTE below 3.0 m 4.6 m","6.0 m","Unit may not exceed 2"]},"setback_front":{"value":"6.0 m","quotes":["(a) Front lot line 6.0 m 6.0 m 7.6 m"]},"setback_rear":{"value":"7.6 m","quotes":["(b) Rear lot line 7.6 m 0.6 m 1.5 m"]},"setback_side_interior":{"value":"1.5 m; second storey and above at least 3.0 m (9.8 feet)","quotes":["(c) Interior side lot line 1.5 m 0.6 m 1.5 m","3.0 m (9.8 feet). (Bylaw 3643 – May 28/90) For the purposes of this section the first","the interior side lot line setback of the second storey"]},"setback_side_exterior":{"value":"3.7 m","quotes":["(d) Exterior side lot line 3.7 m 3.7 m 3.7 m"]},"accessory_setbacks":{"value":"Accessory buildings: front 6.0 m, rear 0.6 m, interior side 0.6 m, exterior side 3.7 m. Accessory structures: front 7.6 m, rear 1.5 m, side 1.5 m, exterior side 3.7 m. Accessory dwelling unit: rear and interior side 1.5 m","quotes":["(a) Front lot line 6.0 m 6.0 m 7.6 m","(b) Rear lot line 7.6 m 0.6 m 1.5 m","(c) Interior side lot line 1.5 m 0.6 m 1.5 m","(d) Exterior side lot line 3.7 m 3.7 m 3.7 m","except it is","1.5 m"]},"other":{"value":["Up to two principal buildings","Total of side setbacks at least 4.6 m","Live landscaping at least 35%; impermeable surface at most 50%","3 m clear space between buildings and structures"],"quotes":["6.4.4.(1) Number Permitted two two two","(e) Total of side lot lines 4.6 m N/A N/A","Live Landscaping Coverage minimum is 35%","Impermeable Surface Coverage maximum is 50%.","A clear space of 3 m (10 feet) shall be provided between buildings and between"]}},"bylaw":{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 3531, 1986 (office consolidation to June 8, 2026)","url":"https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/3531-Oak-Bay-Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf","accessed":"2026-11-07","note":"The cover reads 'Consolidated to June 8, 2026'. The District's older consolidations say reference should be made to Bylaw 3531 and its amendments for legal purposes. Each zone is its own Part (R zones Part 6, CD Part 7, RM Part 8, C Part 9, CS Part 10, P Part 11); the 'section' field holds the Part."},"source_url":"https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/3531-Oak-Bay-Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf#page=64","place":{"path":"ca/bc/oak-bay","name":"Oak Bay","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/zoning/r-4/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/zoning/r-4.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/zoning/r-4.json","index":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/zoning/index.json"}}