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Regional District of Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw No. 2500, 2024
The Regional District of Nanaimo's zoning bylaw, which applies in Nanaimo, Electoral Area C, Nanaimo, Electoral Area H, Nanaimo, Electoral Area E, Nanaimo, Electoral Area G, Nanaimo, Electoral Area A. Our summary of its 10 agriculture, residential, rural residential and resource management 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AG1 Agriculture 1 | One home on a lot of 2 ha or less, two on a larger lot (rules differ in Area G, see below), and a secondary suite with each house up to two a lot (s. 4.2(c)) | 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. | 10% for buildings other than farm buildings (35% on lots under 4,000 m²), 35% for farm buildings, 75% for greenhouses, 75% in all | 9 m for buildings other than farm buildings |
| RS1 Residential 1 | One house and a secondary suite (s. 4.23(c), s. 3.21) | 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. | 35% | 9 m; accessory buildings 6 m |
| RS2 Residential 2 | Up to two houses: one per 2,000 m² of lot on community water, one per hectare without it; and a secondary suite with each house, up to two a lot (s. 4.24(c), s. 3.21) | 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. | 35% | 9 m; accessory buildings 6 m |
| RM1 Resource Management 1 | One home on a lot of 8 ha or less, two on a larger lot (rules differ in Area G, see below), and a secondary suite with each house up to two a lot (s. 4.30(c)) | 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. | 10% | 9 m |
| RM2 Resource Management 2 | One home on a lot of 8 ha or less, two on a larger lot, and a secondary suite with each house up to two a lot (s. 4.31(c)) | 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. | 10% | 9 m |
| RM3 Resource Management 3 | One home on a lot of 8 ha or less, two on a larger lot, and a secondary suite with each house up to two a lot (s. 4.32(c)) | 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. | 10% | 9 m |
| RM4 Resource Management 4 | One home and a secondary suite (s. 4.33(c), s. 3.21) | 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. | 10% | 9 m |
| RR1 Rural Residential 1 | One home and a secondary suite (s. 4.39(c), s. 3.21) | 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. | 25% | 9 m |
| RR2 Rural Residential 2 | One home on a lot of 2 ha or less, two on a larger lot (rules differ in Area G, see below), and a secondary suite with each house up to two a lot (s. 4.40(c)) | 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. No lot under that size may be created by a strata plan either, bare land strata aside (s. 4.40(c)). | 25% | 9 m |
| SSH1 Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing 1 | Two homes and two secondary suites on community water and sewer; otherwise one home per hectare up to two, with a suite each (s. 4.46(c), s. 3.21); both suites may be detached | 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. | 35% | 9 m; accessory buildings 6 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: Regional District of Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw No. 2500, 2024 (summarised in our words); zone map: Open Government Licence – Regional District of Nanaimo.