PRC3: Parks, Recreation and Culture Three

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

None: the zone allows no homes (s. 12.2.1)

Main uses

A City park, a community park, a nature park, a golf course (with a restaurant, pro shop and lounge up to 450 m² in all), a recreational facility and tennis courts; a neighbourhood pub only inside a recreational facility and reached from within it (s. 12.2.1); plus what every zone allows: institutional uses on the CS1 zone's rules, streets and railways, unattended utility buildings, nature sanctuaries, community gardens and temporary extreme-weather shelters (s. 6.1.1); one container of up to 30 m², screened from streets (s. 6.2.1.9)

Smallest lot for a subdivision

None set: Part 12 sets no smallest lot for the zone

Lot coverage

40% (s. 12.4)

Height limit

None set in the zone: Part 12 gives no height limit, so what limits a building here is unclear; ask the City

Setbacks

3 m from every lot line (s. 12.3.1); Part 6's watercourse setbacks still apply

The zone is for organized recreation and culture in developed parks, playfields and similar recreational facilities (s. 12.1).

Short-term rental isn't listed in the zone, and with no homes allowed there is none to rent (our reading; ss. 6.16, 12.2.1).

With no homes and no height or lot rules of its own, the zone isn't meant for building lots: land zoned PRC3 is most often a City park, playfield, golf course or recreation centre (our reading).

Part 6 (general regulations: accessory buildings, watercourse setbacks, flood levels, fences, home businesses) also applies.

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 City of Nanaimo's planning and development department before you buy or build.

Source: Part 12 of City of Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (summarised in our words, checked 2026-10-06); zone map: Open Government Licence – Nanaimo.