R1-U: Urban Residential Rural

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

Up to four homes on a lot of 280 m² to 4,050 m² (three on a smaller lot, two on a larger one), in one residential building, or a house (with or without a secondary suite) and one detached accessory home; two at most where the homes aren't on municipal water and sewer (s. 56.1(4))

Main uses

Houses and small multi-family buildings, secondary suites and detached accessory homes; farming with limited farm sales, bed and breakfast, home-based business, and in a house assisted living, supportive housing or a community care facility

Smallest lot for a subdivision

1,675 m², with 30 m of frontage (s. 56.1(2), (3))

Lot coverage

30%

Height limit

9 m; accessory buildings 5 m (s. 56.1(7))

Setbacks

Front 6 m, rear 8 m, sides 1.5 m (3 m beside a lane or street); accessory buildings 6 m from the front, 3 m from the sides and rear; a garage or carport door 5.8 m from a road other than a lane (s. 56.1(6), (6.1))

The zone is its own zone, not a variant of R1: the same large semi-rural lots (1,675 m²), but with the small-scale multi-unit housing rules of the town zones where municipal water and sewer reach.

The consolidation marks two-family dwelling "[Repealed. BL4016]" in this zone's use list while allowing a house with a suite, a detached accessory home or a building of three or more homes; whether a new duplex is allowed is unclear, so ask the Municipality.

Bed and breakfast: up to six guest rooms (s. 56.1(8)(d)).

Assisted living, supportive housing and community care: up to ten residents including staff, in a house only, with health permits for the septic system where there is no municipal sewer (s. 56.1(8)(f)).

Limited farm sales: at least half of what is sold grown on the land, under 100 m² of covered sales area (s. 56.1(8)(g)).

Short-term rental isn't a use this zone lists; ask the Municipality of North Cowichan 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 North Cowichan's planning department before you buy or build.

Source: Section 56.1 of Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (summarised in our words, checked 2026-10-05); zone map: Open Government Licence – Municipality of North Cowichan.