PlaceDossier / Zoning / Islands Trust
DeCourcy Island Zoning Bylaw, 1987 (Bylaw No. 44)
The Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee's land use bylaw, which applies in Nanaimo, Electoral Area B. Our summary of its 1 settlement residential zone zone, read from the consolidation to 2007-09-07 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR Settlement Residential | One single family home per parcel; on a parcel over 2 ha, a guest cottage of up to 65 m² too (ss. 2.6, 3.1(c)(i)) | Set by the subdivision district, not the zone: 0.6 ha in districts A to F, 2 ha in H, 30 ha elsewhere (s. 4.3); which district a lot is in is unclear from the zoning map | 15% (s. 3.1(c)(iv)) | 9 m for every building and structure (s. 3.1(c)(ii)) |
"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.
- SR: Short-term rental: the bylaw doesn't mention short-term or vacation rental, bed and breakfasts or guest accommodation for pay. The zone's uses are single family residential and guest cottages "and no others" (s. 3.1(a)), so whether a home or the cottage may be rented by the night is unclear (our reading); ask the Islands Trust.
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: DeCourcy Island Zoning Bylaw, 1987 (Bylaw No. 44) (summarised in our words); zone map: Open Government Licence – Islands Trust.