R6: Residential Townhouse

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

Townhouses and duplexes at one home per 290 m² of lot, floor space ratio at most 0.5; duplex homes at most 15% of a development's homes; a house on the R3 zone's terms (s. 61(1), (4), (11)(f))

Main uses

Townhouses, duplexes, a house (on the R3 zone's terms), home-based business (s. 61(1))

Smallest lot for a subdivision

1,170 m², with 30 m of frontage (s. 61(2), (3))

Lot coverage

30% (s. 61(5))

Height limit

9 m; accessory buildings 5 m (s. 61(7))

Setbacks

Front 6 m, sides 3 m, rear 8 m; accessory buildings 6 m from the front, 1 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. 61(6), (6.1))

The zone is for townhouse developments, often strata: what an owner may do (renting, changes) is in the strata's bylaws as well, so read them.

Buildings on one lot stay 12 m apart where a habitable room's window faces, 6 m for other windows, 4 m wall to wall; parking 4 m from walls with windows (s. 61(8), (11)(e)).

30% of the lot kept as landscaped open space, and 4.5% (at least 40 m²) as a recreation area behind the buildings' front line and 6 m from any home (s. 61(9), (10)).

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