---
title: "C9 zone in Port Alberni: Commercial Guest House"
place: Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-alberni
zone: C9
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/c9/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/zoning/c9.json"
---

# C9 zone in Port Alberni: Commercial Guest House

To provide accommodation, primarily of a Bed and Breakfast character, to tourists, visitors and vacationers, in a way compatible with and not negatively affecting surrounding neighbourhoods.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** To provide accommodation, primarily of a Bed and Breakfast character, to tourists, visitors and vacationers, in a way compatible with and not negatively affecting surrounding neighbourhoods.
- **Main uses:** Guest House; Single detached dwelling; Semi-detached dwelling
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Bed and Breakfast; Secondary suite (Secondary suites are only allowed where a single detached dwelling is the principal use, not with a guest house or bed and breakfast.)
- **Minimum lot area:** Guest houses: up to 4 units 900 m² (9,688 ft²); 5 or 6 units 1,000 m² (10,764 ft²); 7 or 8 units 1,100 m² (11,840 ft²)
- **Minimum lot width:** 25 m (82 ft)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 35%
- **Maximum density:** Floor area ratio 0.6
- **Maximum height:** 10.5 m (29.5 ft)
- **Front setback:** 7.5 m (24.6 ft)
- **Rear setback:** 9 m (29.5 ft)
- **Interior side setback:** 1.5 m (4.9 ft); 3 m (9.8 ft) on one side (both sides for a semi-detached dwelling) where a single or semi-detached dwelling has no carport or attached garage and no side or rear access from a street or lane
- **Other rules:** Guest house conditions of use are in Section 6.14.; Where a single or semi-detached dwelling is located in the zone, the R zone Site Development Regulations and parking requirements apply.

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 5.23](https://portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf#page=58) (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/c9/_