PlaceDossier / Zoning / Regional District of Nanaimo
Electoral Area F Zoning and Subdivision Bylaw No. 1285, 2002
The Regional District of Nanaimo's zoning bylaw, which applies in Nanaimo, Electoral Area F. Our summary of its 5 agriculture, forestry/resource and rural and village residential zones, read from the consolidation to 2026-05-12 and checked 2026-10-05. Its other zones aren't summarised here.
The zones side by side
| Zone | Homes allowed | Smallest lot for a subdivision | Lot coverage | Height limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 Agriculture 1 | One home per hectare of lot, up to two (s. 4.1.4), and a secondary suite with each house, up to two a lot (s. 2.18) | 4 ha, with 100 m of frontage on a road (s. 4.1.4); up to half the lots in a subdivision may be 80% of that if the average holds (s. 6.7) | 10% for buildings other than farm buildings, 25% for farm buildings, 75% for greenhouses, 75% in all | 10 m |
| FR-1 Forestry/Resource 1 | One home (s. 4.6.3); this zone doesn't list a secondary suite (s. 2.18) | 50 ha, with 400 m of frontage on a road (s. 4.6.3); up to half the lots in a subdivision may be 80% of that if the average holds (s. 6.7) | 10% | 10 m |
| R-1 Rural 1 | One home per hectare of lot, up to two (s. 4.13.3), and a secondary suite with each house, up to two a lot (s. 2.18) | 2 ha, with 70 m of frontage on a road (s. 4.13.3); up to half the lots in a subdivision may be 80% of that if the average holds (s. 6.7). No lot under that size may be created by a strata plan either, bare land strata aside (s. 2.23). | 10% | 10 m |
| R-2 Rural Residential 2 | One home per hectare of lot (s. 4.14.3), and a secondary suite with it (s. 2.18); how many homes an older lot under 1 ha may have is unclear, ask the RDN | 1 ha, with 40 m of frontage on a road (s. 4.14.3); up to half the lots in a subdivision may be 80% of that if the average holds (s. 6.7). No lot under that size may be created by a strata plan either, bare land strata aside (s. 2.23). | 25% | 10 m |
| R-3 Village Residential 3 | One home per hectare of lot (s. 4.15.3), and a secondary suite with it (s. 2.18); how many homes an older lot under 1 ha may have is unclear, ask the RDN | 1 ha, with 20 m of frontage on a road (s. 4.15.3); up to half the lots in a subdivision may be 80% of that if the average holds (s. 6.7) | 30% | 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.
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: Electoral Area F Zoning and Subdivision Bylaw No. 1285, 2002 (summarised in our words); zone map: Open Government Licence – Regional District of Nanaimo.