Port Alberni 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?
In the City of Port Alberni, find your zone on the Zoning Map (Schedule A of Zoning Bylaw 5105, 2024), posted as a PDF on the City's Zoning page and the Municipal Mapping page. Development Services at 250-720-2835 can also confirm a zone.
Zoning map
Find your zone on the Zoning Bylaw 5105 Schedule A, Zoning Map (PDF), then look it up below.
Zones in Port Alberni
From Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update). The City also posts each zone as a separate PDF and keeps a table of amendments at https://www.portalberni.ca/zoning-bylaw-no-5105-table-amendments. The CD6 zone (6123 Russell Place) is listed in section 5.1 but has no section in this PDF, so it is not in the zone list below. 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
Rural zones
Residential zones
- R Primary Residential
- RM1 Low Density Multi-Residential
- RM2 Medium Density Multi-Residential
- RM3 High Density Multi-Residential
- MH1 Mobile and Modular Homes
- TH1 Townhouse Multi-Family
Commercial zones
- C1 Neighbourhood Commercial
- C2 General Commercial
- C3 Service Commercial
- C4 Highway Commercial
- C5 Transitional Office
- C6 Gaming Centre
- C8 Commercial Recreation
- C9 Commercial Guest House
Mixed use zones
Industrial zones
Public zones
Comprehensive development zones
- CD2 COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT – MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
- CD3 COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT – MULTI FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
- CD4 COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT – 3830 5th Avenue
- CD5 COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT – 3045, 3053, 3063 Kingsway
- CD7 COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT – 3027 2nd Avenue
Key facts
| How to find your zone | The Zoning Map (Schedule A of the Zoning Bylaw) is a PDF on the City's Zoning page and under Land Use Maps on the Municipal Mapping page. Planning staff can also confirm a zone.Zoning, Zoning page; Municipal Mapping, Municipal Mapping, Land Use Maps; Business Licensing FAQ, How do I find out if I have the right zoning · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingZONING MAP (Schedule A) Zoning Bylaw (Schedule A Zoning Map) visit Upper - 4835 Argyle St to consult with the Planning Technician |
|---|---|
| Zoning bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024, adopted by Council on June 10, 2024. The posted copy is the file named "Oct 2026 Update".Zoning, Zoning page; Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe current Zoning Bylaw was adopted by Council on June 10, 2024. This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024” |
| What the zone controls | Each zone lists permitted principal and accessory uses and site rules: minimum lot area and frontage, maximum coverage, front, rear and side setbacks, maximum height and floor area ratio. Parking is set in Section 7.Zoning, Zoning page; Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024, s. 5.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingspecifies the uses or activities that can take place on that property as well as other regulations including building size, siting on the property and parking requirements. 5.7.2 Site Development Regulations Minimum Lot Area 2 ha (4.94 ac) Maximum Coverage 40% |
| Contact | Development Services (Community Planning), Upper - 4835 Argyle Street. Phone 250-720-2835, email DevelopmentServices@portalberni.ca.Zoning, Contact block · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingUpper - 4835 Argyle Street Port Alberni BC V9Y 1V9 #### Telephone 250-720-2835 #### Email DevelopmentServices@portalberni.ca |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingZoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 |
How it works
Every lot has a zone. Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 was adopted by Council on June 10, 2024. The posted copy is the file named "Oct 2026 Update". Each zone lists permitted principal and accessory uses and site rules: minimum lot area and frontage, maximum coverage, front, rear and side setbacks, maximum height and floor area ratio. Parking is set in Section 7.
Steps
- Open the Zoning Map (Schedule A of the bylaw) from the City's Zoning page, or under Land Use Maps on the Municipal Mapping page, and find your property.
- Note the zone code and read that zone's section in the bylaw.
- If you are unsure, call Development Services at 250-720-2835 or email DevelopmentServices@portalberni.ca with your address.
Good to know
- The posted bylaw shows no "current to" date, and the amendments table may lag it, so confirm recent changes with Development Services.
- The City's business licensing FAQ gives 250-720-2850 for the Planning Technician; the Zoning page gives 250-720-2835.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Qualicum Beach · Parksville · Cumberland · Comox · Courtenay · Lantzville
Sources
- Zoning, City of Port Alberni (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Mapping, City of Port Alberni (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licensing FAQ, City of Port Alberni (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (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.