---
title: "C3 zone in Port Alberni: Service Commercial"
place: Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-alberni
zone: C3
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/c3/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/zoning/c3.json"
---

# C3 zone in Port Alberni: Service Commercial

To establish and maintain areas for retail and service operations that are vehicle-oriented or require large storage areas.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** To establish and maintain areas for retail and service operations that are vehicle-oriented or require large storage areas.
- **Main uses:** Ambulance station; Amusement establishment; Appliances and electronics, sales and repair; Artist’s studio; Automotive sales, repair and servicing; Bakery; Bank or other financial institution; Boat or recreational vehicle sales and repair; Building supply; Cannabis Retail Store (subject to Section 6.24); Cannabis Micro-Cultivation; Cannabis Micro-Processing; Cannabis Nursery; Cartage and delivery services; Catering establishment; Club or lodge; Contractor’s shop; Custom woodworking; Enclosed storage and warehousing, including mini-storage; Garden shop, nursery and landscaping supplies; Gasoline service station; Glass shop; Medical service; Micro-Brewery/Micro-Distillery; Office; Pawn shop; Personal service; Petroleum products, wholesale; Prefabricated buildings sales; Printing, publishing and allied industry; Public Market; Recycling depot; Restaurant, including drive-through; Retail; Signs and displays industry; Transportation dispatch and depot; Veterinary clinic; Wholesale
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Caretaker's dwelling unit (subject to Section 6.16); Outdoor storage
- **Extra uses on specific lots:** Liquor, Wine and Beer Store at 3684 3rd Avenue (Lot 1, District Lot 1, Alberni District, Plan EPP30558); Dwelling unit(s) behind street facing commercial units and dwelling unit(s) on the second storey at 3575 3rd Avenue (Parcel B, Block 50, Alberni District, Plan 197B)
- **Minimum lot area:** 930 m² (10,011 ft²)
- **Minimum lot width:** 30 m (98.4 ft)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 75%
- **Maximum height:** 10 m (32.8 ft)
- **Front setback:** 0 m
- **Rear setback:** 3 m (9.84 ft)
- **Interior side setback:** 0 m
- **Other rules:** Outdoor storage areas must be screened or fenced on all sides not facing the principal building.; Business, repair and servicing uses must be inside a completely enclosed building except outdoor display, rental, sales or storage areas, gas pump activities, parking, loading and drive-through activities.; A club or lodge may have no more than three game machines.; At 3575 3rd Avenue, only 0.5 parking space per residential dwelling unit is required in addition to commercial parking.

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 5.17](https://portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf#page=47) (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/c3/_