RS-1: Single Family Residential

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

Two homes: a house with one secondary suite of up to 90 m² or 40% of the house's floor area, whichever is less (s. 34(1), 30.6)

Exceptions (1)

• On lots the Township's Schedule A.2 overlay map shows as small-scale multi-family housing lots, up to four homes in up to two buildings under the RSM-2 zone (three under RSM-1 on lots of 280 m² or less), unless the lot is also shown as a tsunami hazard lot

Listed in s. 30.10, 40.2, 40.3 of the bylaw.

Main uses

One house, a secondary suite, home occupation, boarding (up to two rooms, without a suite), urban hens

Exceptions (1)

• A group children's day care centre on one lot the bylaw names, with a floor area ratio up to 0.5 and no parking spaces required

Listed in s. 34(1)(f), 34(4)(b), 34(11)(b) of the bylaw.

Smallest lot for a subdivision

530 m², 16 m wide at the front building line, for a new lot (s. 34(2), (3))

Lot coverage

30%; accessory buildings and structures together 10%; floor area up to 0.35 times the lot area (s. 34(4), (8))

Height limit

House 7.3 m; accessory buildings 3.6 m (s. 34(6))

Setbacks

House: front 7.5 m, rear 7.5 m, sides 1.5 m and 4.5 m together (3 m on one side without a rear lane, 3.6 m beside a street); accessory buildings behind the front of the house, 1.5 m from the side and rear (3.6 m beside a street), 2.5 m from the house (s. 34(9))

The zone is for houses on their own lots (s. 34); it lists a secondary suite but not a garden suite.

A new house needs a first storey of at least 88 m² and must be at least 7 m wide (s. 34(5), (7)).

Whether a lot is on the small-scale multi-family housing overlay or a tsunami hazard lot is on the bylaw's Schedule A.2; ask the Township.

Short-term rental isn't a use this zone lists; ask the Township of Esquimalt before renting a home short term.

Site-specific exceptions listed in the bylaw by legal description can add or change uses for one property, and development permit areas, the ALR and building rules apply on top. Confirm with the Township of Esquimalt's development services department before you buy or build.

Source: Section 34 of Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050 (summarised in our words, checked 2026-10-05); zone map: Open Government Licence – Corporation of the Township of Esquimalt.