PlaceDossier / Zoning / Islands Trust
Saturna Island Land Use Bylaw No. 119, 2018
The Saturna Island Local Trust Committee's land use bylaw, which applies in Southern Gulf Islands. Our summary of its 2 rural general and rural residential zones, read from the consolidation to 2026-04-30 and checked 2026-10-11. Its other zones aren't summarised here.
The zones side by side
| Zone | Homes allowed | Smallest lot for a subdivision | Lot coverage | Height limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RG Rural General | One house on a lot of 1.21 ha or less (s. 4.2.3); a house and a cottage on a larger lot under 4.05 ha (s. 4.2.4); from 4.05 ha, a house and a cottage for every 2.02 ha of lot, up to five of each (s. 4.2.5); a secondary suite with each house, except in the Schedule E areas (s. 4.2.6) | 0.81 ha, and 2.02 ha on average (ss. 4.2.11, 4.2.12) | 20% on a lot under 0.4 ha; none set on a larger lot (s. 4.2.7) | 9 m; farm buildings 15 m (s. 2.3.1) |
| RR Rural Residential | One house on a lot of 1.21 ha or less (s. 4.1.3); a house and a cottage on a larger lot (s. 4.1.4); a secondary suite with the house, except in the Schedule E areas (s. 4.1.5) | 0.81 ha, or 0.4 ha for a lot on the sea, and 2.02 ha on average (ss. 4.1.10, 4.1.11) | 20% on a lot under 0.4 ha; none set on a larger lot (s. 4.1.6) | 9 m; farm buildings 15 m (s. 2.3.1) |
"Not set" means the zone itself sets no figure; general rules elsewhere in the bylaw may still apply. Each zone's page has its uses, setbacks and the general rules that apply to it.
Where the bylaw is unclear
Points we couldn't settle from the bylaw's text. Ask before you rely on them.
- RG: Lettered site-specific zones RG(a) to RG(g) (s. 4.2.13) set their own smallest or average lot sizes for the lands the table names; RG(f) also allows two houses and no cottage (one house up to 92.9 m²) and RG(g) one house only. RG(g)'s average lot reads 7 ha beside an acre figure of about 0.72 ha, so which applies is unclear.
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 Islands Trust's office for the island before you buy or build.
Source: Saturna Island Land Use Bylaw No. 119, 2018 (summarised in our words); zone map: Open Government Licence – Islands Trust.