PlaceDossier / Zoning / Regional District of East Kootenay
South Country Zoning & Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2320, 2011
The Regional District of East Kootenay's zoning bylaw, which applies in East Kootenay, Electoral Area B. Our summary of its 17 zones, read from the consolidation to 2026-02-13.
The zones side by side
| Zone | Homes allowed | Smallest lot for a subdivision | Lot coverage | Height limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS-1 Residential (Semi-Rural) | One house (with a secondary suite) or one duplex | 1,670 m² | 30% | Main building 9 m, accessory buildings 5 m |
| RS-1(A) Residential (Semi-Rural Single Family) | One house, with a secondary suite inside it | 1,670 m² | 30% | House 9 m, accessory buildings 5 m |
| RS-4 Residential (Acreage) | One house (with a secondary suite) or one duplex; a dwelling for a relative needing care is possible | 0.4 ha | 30% | Main building 9 m, accessory buildings 5 m |
| RR-1 Rural Residential (Estate) | One house (with a secondary suite) or one duplex; a dwelling for a relative needing care is possible | 1 ha | 20% (75% for greenhouses with closed waste and storm water systems) | House 10 m, accessory buildings 10 m |
| RR-2 Rural Residential (Small Holding) | One house (with a secondary suite) or one duplex; a dwelling for a relative needing care is possible | 2 ha | 10% (75% for greenhouses with closed waste and storm water systems) | House 10 m, accessory buildings 12 m |
| RR-4 Rural Residential (Hobby Farm) | One house (with a secondary suite) or one duplex; a dwelling for a relative needing care is possible | 4 ha | 10% (75% for greenhouses with closed waste and storm water systems) | House 10 m, accessory buildings 12 m |
| RR-8 Rural Residential (Country) | One house (with a secondary suite) or one duplex, and farm-hand dwellings; a dwelling for a relative needing care is possible | 8 ha | 10% (75% for greenhouses with closed waste and storm water systems) | House 10 m, accessory buildings 12 m |
| RR-16 Rural Residential (Extensive) | One house (with a secondary suite) or one duplex, and farm-hand dwellings; a dwelling for a relative needing care is possible | 16 ha | 10% (75% for greenhouses with closed waste and storm water systems) | House 10 m, accessory buildings 12 m, cabins 5 m |
| RR-60 Rural Resource | One house (with a secondary suite) or one duplex, and farm-hand dwellings; a dwelling for a relative needing care is possible | 60 ha | Not set | House 10 m, accessory buildings 12 m, cabins 5 m |
| I-1 Light Industrial | One dwelling, accessory to a business 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)) | 1 ha | 50% | 12 m |
| C-1 Local Commercial | One dwelling, accessory to a business 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)) | 0.3 ha | 60% | 10 m |
| RES-1 Recreation Commercial | Unclear: the zone's table allows one accessory dwelling, but its list of uses names none; ask the RDEK | 4 ha | 70% | 9 m |
| RES-2 Resort Recreation | One dwelling, accessory to the campground (the zone; s. 1.18(3)) | 4 ha | 70% | 9 m |
| M-2 Marine General | None: the zone lists no dwelling | 1 ha | 70% | 10 m |
| P-1 Public Institutional | 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)) | None set in the zone | 25% | 10 m |
| P-2 Parks and Open Space | One dwelling, accessory to a 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)) | None set in the zone | Not set | 10 m |
| P-3 Public Works and Utility | None: the zone lists no dwelling | None set in the zone | Not set | 10 m |
"Not set" means the zone itself sets no figure; general rules elsewhere in the bylaw may still apply. Each zone's page has its uses, setbacks and the general rules that apply to it.
Where the bylaw is unclear
Points we couldn't settle from the bylaw's text. Ask before you rely on them.
- P-1: 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.
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.