---
title: "RM5 zone in Sidney: Townhouse Residential"
place: Sidney, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/sidney
zone: RM5
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/rm5/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/zoning/rm5.json"
---

# RM5 zone in Sidney: Townhouse Residential

Townhouse housing at a maximum height of 2.5 storeys, and single- and two-family housing where permitted.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Townhouse housing at a maximum height of 2.5 storeys, and single- and two-family housing where permitted.
- **Main uses:** Row House Dwelling; Townhouse Dwelling; Single-Family Dwelling (conditional); Two-Family Dwelling (conditional) (Single-Family and Two-Family Dwellings are only allowed where one existed on May 1, 2022; secondary suites are allowed with a Single-Family Dwelling.)
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Accessory Building, Structure, or Use; Home Occupation (conditional)
- **Minimum lot area:** Row House Dwelling: 155 m²; Townhouse Dwelling: 750 m²; Single-Family Dwelling: 500 m²; Two-Family Dwelling: 715 m²
- **Minimum lot width:** Row House Dwelling: 6 m
- **Maximum lot coverage:** Row House and Townhouse: 50%; Single-Family and Two-Family: 40% for 1 storey, 30% for 2 and 2.5 storeys
- **Maximum density:** Row House: 1 dwelling unit per lot; Townhouse: 0.75 FAR (up to 1.3 FAR with bonus density amenities); Single-Family: 2 dwelling units; Two-Family: 2 dwelling units
- **Maximum height:** Single-Family and Two-Family: 9 m (roof pitch greater than 3:12), 8 m (roof pitch 3:12 or less), maximum 2.5 storeys; Row House and Townhouse: not separately stated
- **Front setback:** 4.5 m
- **Rear setback:** Row House and Townhouse: 4.5 m where a lane exists, 9.0 m where no lane (6 m of it an access aisle); Single-Family and Two-Family: 4.5 m
- **Interior side setback:** Row House and Townhouse: 1.5 m, or 0 m where abutting another Row House; Single-Family and Two-Family: 2.0 m
- **Street side setback:** 4.5 m
- **Other rules:** Buildings must stay 15 m from the natural boundary (sea or other water body) where the lot abuts it; At least 3 dwelling units attached per Townhouse building; at least 3 row houses in a series; 20% of new dwelling units in a development must be adaptable units

## Source

- [Town of Sidney Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 (in force July 1, 2024; consolidated for convenience July 21, 2025), s. 4.3](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2275-Zoning-Bylaw.pdf#page=30) (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/rm5/_