---
title: "R-5 zone in Oak Bay: Residential Use"
place: Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/oak-bay
zone: R-5
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-5/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/zoning/r-5.json"
---

# R-5 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
- **Extra uses on specific lots:** Congregate housing use (maximum eight persons and two domestic support staff): Lot 7, Block 1, Section 69, Victoria District, Plan 919 and Lot 8, Block 1, Section 69, Victoria District, Plan 919
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 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 10% is allowed for an accessory dwelling unit where an existing dwelling was granted occupancy before November 30, 2023
- **Maximum density:** Up to four dwelling units on parcels over 280 sq. m; three on parcels 280 sq. m or smaller (two on heritage designated lots listed in Schedule F). Floor area ratio 0.4 for up to two units; 0.6 for two units where one is an accessory dwelling unit; 0.8 for three or four units
- **Maximum height:** 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
- **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:** 6.0 m
- **Rear setback:** 7.6 m (24.9')
- **Interior side setback:** 1.5 m; second storey and above at least 3.0 m (9.8 feet)
- **Street side setback:** 3.7 m
- **Accessory building setbacks:** 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
- **Other rules:** One principal building; up to two accessory buildings; Total of side setbacks at least 4.6 m; Live landscaping at least 25%; impermeable surface at most 55%; About ten named lots (for example 1391 Oliver Street, 1616 Yale Street, 2253 McNeill Avenue) have their own setback, height, coverage or floor area ratio rules

## 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=68) (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-5/_