R4: Residential Small Lot Mobile Home

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

One manufactured home (a modular or mobile home): the zone allows one residential building and lists no secondary suite, duplex or second home (s. 59(1), (4); definition in s. 12)

Main uses

A manufactured home and a home-based business (s. 59(1))

Smallest lot for a subdivision

465 m², with 15 m of frontage (s. 59(2), (3))

Lot coverage

30% (s. 59(5))

Height limit

Main building 5.0 m; accessory buildings 5.0 m (s. 59(7))

Setbacks

Front 5.0 m, sides 2.0 m, rear 8.0 m; accessory buildings 5.0 m from the front, 1.0 m from the sides, 1.5 m from the rear; a garage or carport door 5.8 m from a road other than a lane (s. 59(6), (6.1))

The zone is for manufactured homes, each on its own small lot (its name and rules; our reading).

Next to an R1, R2 or R3 lot, a landscape screen of planting and a 2.0 m fence (lower within those lots' front yards), on a landscaped strip at least 1.1 m wide (s. 39(1)). Fences otherwise at most 1.2 m in the front yard and 2.0 m at the sides and rear (s. 37(8)).

A home-based business is accessory to a home on the lot and limited to arts and crafts studios, repair of private cars, day care, hairdressing, offices and small tool and appliance repair (s. 12).

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 59 of Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (summarised in our words, checked 2026-10-06); zone map: Open Government Licence – Municipality of North Cowichan.