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W1 zone in Port Alberni: Waterfront Commercial

Port Alberni, British ColumbiaDraft, not yet reviewedBylaw read 2026-11-07

In short

To establish and maintain areas for commercial and retail operations, especially those serving marine-based or tourist-oriented activities.

Zone rules

PurposeTo establish and maintain areas for commercial and retail operations, especially those serving marine-based or tourist-oriented activities.
Main uses
  • Boat rental operations
  • Boat tour and charter operations
  • Commercial mooring facilities
  • Docks, Wharves, and Floats (for the use of water taxis, ferries, float planes and amphibious vessels)
  • Fish product industry
  • Marina
  • Marine fuelling operations
  • Marine-oriented clubs such as yacht clubs
  • Micro-Brewery/Micro-Distillery
  • Nightclub, Cabaret, Bar and Pub
  • Observation Tower
  • Public market
  • Restaurant (excluding drive-in or drive-through)
  • Retail
  • Stewardship Centre
Also allowed (secondary uses)
  • Loading facility
  • Office
  • Permanent residence on one boat or vessel by one member or employee of any other use permitted within this zone, for security and fire protection
  • Private floats and wharves
  • Storage
  • Temporary boat storage
  • Temporary or seasonal residence on a boat or vessel for commercial fishing purposes
Extra uses on specific lots5405 Argyle Street (a portion of Lot A, District Lots 1 and 118, Alberni District, Plan VIP13074 zoned W1, shown in Schedule A): Barber, Beauty Shop, Salon, Spa, with accessory use Residential Above Commercial
Maximum height8 m (26.2 ft)
Other rules
  • Marine fuelling operations must be at least 60 m (196.8 ft) from any R or RM zone.
  • Fish product industry activity tied to retail sales of live or fresh seafood in the same building is limited to 235 m² (2,530 ft²) of gross floor area.
  • Temporary or seasonal boat residence is allowed only where the vessel is wharfed at a location with on-shore washroom facilities.
  • Private floats and wharves are allowed only where necessary for practical access to commercial enterprises oriented to water uses.

Source: Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 5.30 (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply, and a lot can have site-specific rules. 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. Zone pages are taken from the bylaw text by a research agent and have not yet been reviewed by a person: confirm with the bylaw before you rely on them. How answers are checked.

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