R8: Residential Multi-Family Apartment

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

Apartments (buildings of more than two homes off a shared hallway or their own ground-level doors) and congregate housing, up to a floor space ratio of 1.0; no building over 6,000 m² of floor area; or a house on the R3 zone's rules (s. 63(1), (4), (9); definitions in s. 12)

Main uses

Apartments, congregate housing (assisted living, supportive housing or community care for more than ten residents, with meals and housekeeping), a house (on the R3 zone's rules), a limited home-based business (an office) (s. 63(1); definitions in s. 12)

Smallest lot for a subdivision

1,120 m², with 30 m of frontage (s. 63(2), (3))

Lot coverage

40%, covered parking included (s. 63(5))

Height limit

11.0 m; accessory buildings 5.0 m (s. 63(7))

Setbacks

Front 6.0 m, sides 5.0 m, rear 8.0 m; accessory buildings 6.0 m from the front, 1.0 m from the sides, 1.5 m from the rear (s. 63(6))

The zone is for apartment buildings, 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 12.0 m apart where a habitable room's window faces, 6.0 m otherwise; parking 4.0 m from walls with windows (s. 63(8), (12)(e)). Next to an R1, R2 or R3 lot, a landscape screen of planting and a 2.0 m fence on a strip at least 1.1 m wide (s. 39(1)).

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 6.0 m from any home (s. 63(10), (11)).

A home-based business here is only an office (s. 12, limited home-based business).

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