I1: Institutional 1

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

No house: one home a lot, as an accessory use (s. 4.13(b), (c))

Main uses

Personal care facilities and units, public assembly, utilities, emergency services, schools; a home as an accessory use (s. 4.13(b))

Exceptions (1)

• Dormitory lodging for up to 30 people with a school on one lot the bylaw names

Listed in s. 4.13(e)(i) of the bylaw.

Smallest lot for a subdivision

Set by the lot's subdivision district on the RDN's map, from 400 m² to 50 ha by district and servicing (Part 5); a report on a lot names its district and size.

Lot coverage

50% (s. 4.13(c))

Height limit

9.0 m (s. 4.13(c))

Setbacks

5.0 m from every lot line; watercourses by s. 3.9 and corner lots by s. 3.8 (s. 4.13(d))

The zone is for public uses: emergency services, health care, schools, halls and similar (s. 4.13(a)); a lot here is rarely sold as a home lot (our reading), so ask the RDN what a lot here may be used for before you buy.

How much and how many uses a lot may hold depends on how it can be serviced (ss. 4.13(e)(ii), 3.28).

Sub-zones (s. 4.13.1): I1.1 adds school dormitory lodging for up to 30 people on the school's lot, never a home or strata lot; I1.2 leaves out personal care.

Short-term rental of a whole home isn't a use this zone lists, uses a zone doesn't list are prohibited (s. 1.3), and a home-based business may not offer accommodation other than a bed and breakfast (s. 3.15); ask the RDN before renting a home short term.

Watercourses (s. 3.9): no building within 15 m of a stream's or lake's natural boundary (9 m from the top of a bank where the ground within 15 m averages over 30% slope), 30 m from the Nanaimo, Englishman, Little Qualicum and Qualicum rivers; 8 m from the sea or the top of a steep shore bank (s. 3.10, other figures in Area E).

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 RDN's planning department before you buy or build.

Source: Section 4.13 of Regional District of Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw No. 2500, 2024 (summarised in our words, checked 2026-10-06); zone map: Open Government Licence – Regional District of Nanaimo.