---
title: "R zone in Salt Spring Island: Rural"
place: Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/salt-spring-island
zone: R
bylaw: Salt Spring Island Land Use Bylaw, 1999 (Bylaw No. 355), consolidated version June 2026
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salt-spring-island/zoning/r/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salt-spring-island/zoning/r.json"
---

# R zone in Salt Spring Island: Rural

Main uses: Single-family dwellings, Two family dwellings constructed before July 31, 1990, Dental and medical offices for a maximum of two medical practitioners, Elementary schools, pre-schools and child day care, Public health care facilities, and 8 more.

## Zone rules

- **Main uses:** Single-family dwellings; Two family dwellings constructed before July 31, 1990; Dental and medical offices for a maximum of two medical practitioners; Elementary schools, pre-schools and child day care; Public health care facilities; Community halls; Churches and cemeteries; Veterinarian clinics and animal hospitals; Pet boarding services and kennels; Pounds; Active outdoor non-commercial recreation, excluding golf courses and activities primarily involving the use of power-driven means of conveyance; Agriculture; Public service uses
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Seasonal cottages subject to Section 3.14; Home-based business use, subject to Section 3.13
- **Extra uses on specific lots:** R(a): construction and repair of boats is also permitted; R(b): a seasonal cottage may be used for permanent residential occupancy; R(c): minimum average lot area on subdivision is 1.2 ha; R(d): no more than 1 lot in the whole area; R(e): a further 15 lots permitted by density transfer from Lots 30 and 31, North Salt Spring Island; seasonal cottages permitted on up to 60% of bareland strata lots in certain cases; R(f): a seasonal cottage or a full-time rental cottage is the accessory use; R(g): private yacht club outstation facilities up to 26 square metres, plus outdoor passive recreation and parking accessory to it; R(h): no more than 3 lots in the whole area; no seasonal cottage on a lot under 3.5 ha; R(i): no more than 8 lots in the whole area; R(k): no more than 2 lots; one seasonal cottage allowed on the Remainder of Lot 20, Section 85, South Salt Spring Island; R(l): no more than 2 lots; minimum lot area on subdivision 0.6 ha; R(m): only affordable housing dwelling units (maximum 10), one single-family dwelling, agriculture and public service uses; no more than 10 dwelling units per lot; R(n): one single family dwelling, four dwelling units up to 50 square metres each, a tasting room up to 90 square metres, beer and liquor production, sales and storage, accessory retail sales up to 10 square metres and accessory buildings up to 20 square metres; R(o): up to two seasonal cottages; minimum average lot size on subdivision 1 ha; R(p): one boathouse up to 60 square metres; setback from the natural boundary of the sea is 15 metres; R(z): no more than 72 lots in total across F1(z), F2(z), F1(a)(z), R(z) and RU1(z)
- **Minimum lot area:** Subdivision: average lot area 2 ha; smallest individual lot 0.6 ha (own septic and potable water), 0.4 ha (with community water), 0.4 ha (community sewage and water)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 33%
- **Front setback:** General setbacks of Section 4.3 apply
- **Rear setback:** General setbacks of Section 4.3 apply
- **Interior side setback:** General setbacks of Section 4.3 apply
- **Street side setback:** General setbacks of Section 4.3 apply
- **Other rules:** Community hall, church, pre-school or day care centre building: 930 m² floor area at most; Farm buildings and farm structures: 465 m² total floor area at most; Minimum lot area: day care centre 2 ha, pet boarding facilities including kennels 4 ha, pound 2 ha

## Source

- [Salt Spring Island Land Use Bylaw, 1999 (Bylaw No. 355), consolidated version June 2026, s. 9.10](https://islandstrust.bc.ca/document/ssi-ltc-bylaw-no-355/#page=112) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Salt Spring Island: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salt-spring-island/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/salt-spring-island/zoning/r/_