PlaceDossier / Zoning / Zone codes
W1 zoning in BC
W1 (also written W-1) means whatever the bylaw that zones the lot says: there is no provincial W1 zone. 3 bylaws we've summarised use it, from 3 local governments. It goes by 3 names: Recreational Water Use, Waterfront, Watershed Protection. What it allows is below, bylaw by bylaw.
W1 in each bylaw
| Local government | Homes allowed | Smallest lot for a subdivision | Lot coverage | Height limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional District of East Kootenay Watershed Protection · Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 3255, 2023 | One house and a secondary suite, plus a cabin | 125 ha | 10% | 10 m |
| City of Kelowna Recreational Water Use · City of Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 12375 | None: the zone lists no dwelling | No minimum (s. 14.10) | Not set | Not set |
| City of Nanaimo Waterfront · City of Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 | None: the zone allows no homes (s. 15.3.1) | None set: the zone sets no smallest lot, width or depth (s. 15.4) | 20% (s. 15.6.1) | 4.5 m (s. 15.6.1) |
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 W1 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.