---
title: "R1-ESA zone in Sidney: Intensive Ground-Oriented Residential - Environmentally Sensitive Areas"
place: Sidney, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/sidney
zone: R1-ESA
bylaw: "Town of Sidney Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (in force July 1, 2024; consolidated for convenience July 21, 2025)"
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/zoning/r1-esa/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/zoning/r1-esa.json"
---

# R1-ESA zone in Sidney: Intensive Ground-Oriented Residential - Environmentally Sensitive Areas

Intensive ground-oriented housing of all types, up to 4 units, within Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Intensive ground-oriented housing of all types, up to 4 units, within Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
- **Main uses:** Dwelling Unit
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Accessory Building, Structure, or Use; Home Occupation (conditional)
- **Minimum lot area:** 500 m²
- **Minimum lot width:** 7.5 m (applies to R1, R1-ESA and R3)
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 35%
- **Maximum density:** 3 dwelling units (lot area 280 m² or less); 4 dwelling units (lot area greater than 280 m²)
- **Maximum height:** 10.5 m (roof pitch 3:12 or less); 12.0 m (roof pitch greater than 3:12); maximum 3 storeys
- **Front setback:** 3.0 m
- **Rear setback:** 5.5 m
- **Interior side setback:** 2.0 m
- **Street side setback:** 3.0 m
- **Other rules:** Third-storey floor area cannot exceed 70% of the second storey floor area (not for accessory buildings); Buildings must stay 15 m from the natural boundary (sea or other water body) where the lot abuts it; No garage doors facing the street on a principal building where the lot is under 10 m wide

## Source

- [Town of Sidney Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (in force July 1, 2024; consolidated for convenience July 21, 2025), s. 4.2](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf#page=28) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Sidney: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/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/sidney/zoning/r1-esa/_