---
title: "C2 zone in Port Alberni: General Commercial"
place: Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-alberni
zone: C2
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/zoning/c2/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/zoning/c2.json"
---

# C2 zone in Port Alberni: General Commercial

To establish and maintain compact, vibrant commercial areas with a broad range of pedestrian-scale uses.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** To establish and maintain compact, vibrant commercial areas with a broad range of pedestrian-scale uses.
- **Main uses:** Amusement establishment; Appliance repair; Artist’s studio; Assembly; Automotive sales, repair and servicing; Bakery; Bank or other financial institution; Cannabis Retail Store (subject to Section 6.2); Club or lodge; Community care facility; Daycare or other preschool; Gasoline service station; Live-work; Medical service; Multi-residential dwelling; Office; Pawn shop; Personal service; Place of worship; Professional service; Public market; Restaurant, including drive-through; Retail; School; Senior’s housing; Shopping centre; Small appliances and electronics, sales, and repair; Social service centre; Veterinary clinic
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Caretaker's dwelling unit (subject to Section 6.16); Dwelling unit(s) above or behind a permitted commercial use; Home occupation
- **Extra uses on specific lots:** Liquor, Wine and Beer Store at 3764 10th Avenue (Lot B, District Lot 1, Alberni District, Plan VIP75178); Liquor, Wine and Beer Store at 2943 10th Ave. (Quality Foods) (Lot A, District Lot 1, Alberni District, Plan VIP13914 Except Plan 50966)
- **Minimum lot area:** 800 m² (8,611 ft²)
- **Minimum lot width:** 15 m (49 ft)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 75%
- **Maximum height:** 9 m (29.5 ft) on lots under 1,120 m²; 18 m on lots 1,120 m² or greater where only residential units are above commercial uses
- **Front setback:** 0 m
- **Rear setback:** 3 m (10 ft)
- **Interior side setback:** 1.5 m (5 ft); 5 m (16.4 ft) for shopping centres abutting a lot in an R, RM or P2 zone
- **Other rules:** Every use must be inside a completely enclosed building except parking, loading, restaurant patios, outdoor display, rental/sales/storage yards, drive-through activities, gas pump activities and temporary garden supply structures.; Dwelling units above or behind commercial uses need a separate ground-level entrance, must be self-contained and need one off-street parking space each.; Multi-residential or seniors housing below the second storey follows the RM3 zone Site Development Regulations.

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 5.16](https://portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf#page=44) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Port Alberni: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/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/port-alberni/zoning/c2/_