PlaceDossier / Zoning / Zone codes
SH-1 zoning in BC
SH-1 (also written SH1) means whatever the bylaw that zones the lot says: there is no provincial SH-1 zone. 5 bylaws we've summarised use it, from 4 local governments. It goes by 4 names: Small Holdings One (2 bylaws), Small Holding, Small Holding Residential, Small Holdings 1. What it allows is below, bylaw by bylaw.
SH-1 in each bylaw
| Local government | Homes allowed | Smallest lot for a subdivision | Lot coverage | Height limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional District of Central Okanagan Small Holdings 1 · Joe Rich Rural Land Use Bylaw No. 1195, 2007 | One single family house (s. 5.8.3) of at least 60 m² (s. 5.8.4), with a secondary suite inside it (s. 3.16) | 1 ha (s. 5.8.2) | 10% | 3 storeys and 9 m; accessory buildings 5 m |
| Regional District of East Kootenay Small Holding Residential · Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 3255, 2023 | One house and a secondary suite | 0.4 ha | 20% | 10 m |
| Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Small Holdings One · Okanagan Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 2800, 2022 | One house, and one secondary suite or one accessory dwelling (s. 15.1.4) | 2,500 m² on community water and sewer, otherwise 1 ha (s. 8.1.4) | 35% | 10 m; accessory buildings 4.5 m |
| Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Small Holdings One · Electoral Area H Zoning Bylaw No. 3065, 2024 | One house, and one secondary suite or one accessory dwelling (s. 15.1.4) | 2,500 m², for a new lot on community water and sewer (s. 8.1.3) | 35% | 10 m; accessory buildings 4.5 m |
| Thompson-Nicola Regional District Small Holding · TNRD Zoning Bylaw No. 2400, 2012 | One house (a secondary suite is allowed inside it), or one duplex, or one manufactured home | 2 ha | 25% on lots under 2 ha | Accessory buildings 8 m on lots under 2 ha |
Listed by local government, not ranked. "Not set" means the zone itself sets no figure; general rules elsewhere in its bylaw may still apply. Each zone's page has its uses, setbacks and the bylaw's sections.
Two lots both zoned SH-1 under different bylaws can allow quite different things, and provincial law sets a floor of homes on most house zones in towns (how many homes can I build?). Site-specific exceptions, development permit areas and the ALR apply on top. Find the lot's own zone with the search above, then confirm with the local government before you buy or build.
Sources: each zone's bylaw, linked from its page, summarised in our words. Other councils' zones aren't here: the zoning we cover.