RS-2: Recreation Residential

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

One house or cabin, plus a secondary suite; a second house, cabin or campground needs 1,858 m² of lot for each

Main uses

House, cabin, campground (under the RDEK's Campground Bylaw No. 2403)

Smallest lot for a subdivision

None set in the zone; each house, cabin or campground needs 1,858 m² of lot

Height limit

Not set in the zone; cabins 5 m (s. 4.21)

Setbacks

Not set from lot lines in the zone; houses stay 6 m from neighbouring houses, and accessory buildings 6 m from neighbouring buildings

A cabin here is for seasonal recreation: at most 90 m² and 5 m tall, with no kitchen (ss. 3.04, 4.21). The bylaw lists no home occupation in this zone.

Secondary suite (s. 4.16): one per lot, at most 49% of the house's living space, or above the first storey of a detached garage (70 m² on lots under 0.4 ha, 90 m² on 0.4 ha or more; the garage up to 7.5 m tall, 7.5 m from the front, 3 m from the rear and 1.5 m from the sides, 4.5 m beside a road). On approved sewage disposal, never strata-titled, and not in a manufactured home; no garage suite on a lot with a duplex or another extra dwelling.

The bylaw doesn't list vacation or short-term rental, or home occupation (which includes bed and breakfasts), as a use in this zone. Ask the RDEK before renting a home short term.

While a new house is being built under a building permit, one extra dwelling or an RV may be lived in on the lot; it goes once the house is occupied (s. 4.04A). Otherwise an RV or park model trailer can't be used as a home (s. 4.04).

No vehicle wrecking or repair, and no derelict vehicles.

Every zone also allows public utilities, parks, roads and conservation areas (s. 4.03).

Inside the ALR, farm uses the Agricultural Land Commission allows are permitted, and the Commission's rules also apply to suites (ss. 4.14 and 4.16).

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: Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 (summarised in our words); zone map: Open Government Licence – Regional District of East Kootenay.