P-1: Public Institutional

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

Multiple family dwellings; and one dwelling accessory to another use on the lot: a manufactured home on a non-permanent foundation, or a self-contained unit built into the main building above the first storey or behind the main use, with its own outside door (the zone; s. 1.18(3))

Main uses

Schools, colleges and universities, churches, rural retreats (with counselling), group homes (up to ten residents; s. 1.26), group day care, assembly halls, rest homes, libraries, government services, cemeteries, multiple family dwellings

Smallest lot for a subdivision

None set in the zone

Lot coverage

25%

Height limit

10 m

Setbacks

Front 7.5 m, rear and sides 6 m

The zone allows multiple family dwellings (three or more homes in a building) at a maximum density of 24, but doesn't say per what (per hectare or per lot); that is unclear, so ask the RDEK.

Fences up to 2 m (s. 1.15).

While a house is being built or rebuilt under a building permit, one extra dwelling or an RV may be lived in on the lot, on an approved septic system; it goes, or becomes an accessory building, once the new house is occupied (s. 1.5).

An RV or park model trailer can't be used as a home (s. 1.4). Up to two RVs may be stored or used seasonally on a lot, sited like an accessory building (s. 1.19).

No vehicle wrecking or repair outdoors, and at most one derelict vehicle, kept out of the front yard (s. 1.17).

Heights are measured from finished grade to halfway between the eaves and the ridge; a flat roof to its top; the walls under a single-pitch roof may reach 1.5 m above the limit (ss. 3.2(6), 1.11(6)).

Every zone also allows parks, public utilities, highways and railways, surface parking, heritage sites and conservation areas (s. 1.3). Buildings stay 22 m from a controlled access highway unless the lot is on a frontage road (s. 1.6).

Inside the ALR, farm uses and those the Agricultural Land Commission approves are permitted, as is cannabis production under the ALR Use Regulation; the Commission's rules also apply to suites, farm-hand dwellings and dwellings for a relative needing care (ss. 1.14, 1.20, 1.21, 1.25, 1.27).

Floodplain (Schedule B): the floor of any living or business space sits above 751 m beside Lake Koocanusa, and 1.5 m above the high water mark of any other stream, lake, marsh or pond (in a Special Policy Area, such as an alluvial fan, the highest of 1 m above the ground, 0.6 m above anything that could pond water, or an engineer's level); no basement floor below 751 m; buildings with living space or goods that flood water would damage stay upland of the 750.11 m contour of the reservoir; fill and supports stay 15 m from streams and 7.5 m from any lake, marsh or pond.

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 RDEK's planning department before you buy or build.

Source: South Country Zoning & Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2320, 2011 (summarised in our words); zone map: Open Government Licence – Regional District of East Kootenay.