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District of Saanich Zoning Bylaw No. 8200
The District of Saanich's zoning bylaw, which applies in Saanich. Our summary of its 9 rural A-1, single family RS and two family RD-1 zones, read from the consolidation to 2026-09-10 and checked 2026-10-04. Its other zones aren't summarised here.
The zones side by side
| Zone | Homes allowed | Smallest lot for a subdivision | Lot coverage | Height limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS-4 Single Family Dwelling | One house with a secondary suite, and a garden suite where s. 5.35 allows one (below); or small-scale multi-unit housing where s. 5.37 allows it: houseplexes and at most one house, up to 4 homes (3 on a lot of 279 m² or less, 6 on an eligible lot in a Transit Proximity Area) in at most 2 buildings (Schedule G) | 460 m², 14 m wide (no panhandle lots) | 40% (small-scale multi-unit housing: Schedule G) | House 7.5 m, 6.5 m with a flat or low-pitched roof (under 3 in 12); a houseplex 11 m (Schedule G); garden suite 6.5 m; accessory buildings 3.75 m, one storey |
| RS-6 Single Family Dwelling | One house with a secondary suite, and a garden suite where s. 5.35 allows one (below); or small-scale multi-unit housing where s. 5.37 allows it: houseplexes and at most one house, up to 4 homes (3 on a lot of 279 m² or less, 6 on an eligible lot in a Transit Proximity Area) in at most 2 buildings (Schedule G) | 560 m², 16 m wide (a panhandle lot 835 m² not counting its access strip, 20 m wide) | 40% (small-scale multi-unit housing: Schedule G) | House 7.5 m, 6.5 m with a flat or low-pitched roof (under 3 in 12); a houseplex 11 m (Schedule G); garden suite 6.5 m; accessory buildings 3.75 m, one storey |
| RS-8 Single Family Dwelling | One house with a secondary suite, and a garden suite where s. 5.35 allows one (below); or small-scale multi-unit housing where s. 5.37 allows it: houseplexes and at most one house, up to 4 homes (3 on a lot of 279 m² or less, 6 on an eligible lot in a Transit Proximity Area) in at most 2 buildings (Schedule G) | 665 m², 18 m wide (a panhandle lot 930 m² not counting its access strip, 23 m wide) | 35% (small-scale multi-unit housing: Schedule G) | House 7.5 m, 6.5 m with a flat or low-pitched roof (under 3 in 12); a houseplex 11 m (Schedule G); garden suite 6.5 m; accessory buildings 3.75 m, one storey |
| RS-10 Single Family Dwelling | One house with a secondary suite, and a garden suite where s. 5.35 allows one (below); or small-scale multi-unit housing where s. 5.37 allows it: houseplexes and at most one house, up to 4 homes (3 on a lot of 279 m² or less, 6 on an eligible lot in a Transit Proximity Area) in at most 2 buildings (Schedule G) | 780 m², 20 m wide (a panhandle lot 1,020 m² not counting its access strip, 24 m wide) | 40% (small-scale multi-unit housing: Schedule G) | House 7.5 m, 6.5 m with a flat or low-pitched roof (under 3 in 12); a houseplex 11 m (Schedule G); garden suite 6.5 m; accessory buildings 3.75 m, one storey |
| RS-12 Single Family Dwelling | One house with a secondary suite, and a garden suite where s. 5.35 allows one (below); or small-scale multi-unit housing where s. 5.37 allows it: houseplexes and at most one house, up to 4 homes (3 on a lot of 279 m² or less, 6 on an eligible lot in a Transit Proximity Area) in at most 2 buildings (Schedule G) | 930 m², 22 m wide (a panhandle lot 1,300 m² not counting its access strip, 25 m wide) | 40% (small-scale multi-unit housing: Schedule G) | House 7.5 m, 6.5 m with a flat or low-pitched roof (under 3 in 12); a houseplex 11 m (Schedule G); garden suite 6.5 m; accessory buildings 3.75 m, one storey |
| RS-16 Single Family Dwelling | One house with a secondary suite, and a garden suite where s. 5.35 allows one (below); or small-scale multi-unit housing where s. 5.37 allows it: houseplexes and at most one house, up to 4 homes (3 on a lot of 279 m² or less, 6 on an eligible lot in a Transit Proximity Area) in at most 2 buildings (Schedule G) | 0.4 ha, 40 m wide (a panhandle lot 0.4 ha, 45 m wide) | None set for the house in Schedule 290; accessory buildings 5% of a lot of 2,000 m² or more (s. 5.34); small-scale multi-unit housing: Schedule G | House 7.5 m, 6.5 m with a flat or low-pitched roof (under 3 in 12); a houseplex 11 m (Schedule G); garden suite 6.5 m; accessory buildings 3.75 m, one storey |
| RS-18 Single Family Dwelling | One house with a secondary suite, and a garden suite where s. 5.35 allows one (below); or small-scale multi-unit housing where s. 5.37 allows it: houseplexes and at most one house, up to 4 homes (3 on a lot of 279 m² or less, 6 on an eligible lot in a Transit Proximity Area) in at most 2 buildings (Schedule G) | 2 ha, 60 m wide (no panhandle lots) | None set for the house in Schedule 295; accessory buildings 5% of a lot of 2,000 m² or more (s. 5.34); small-scale multi-unit housing: Schedule G | House 7.5 m, 6.5 m with a flat or low-pitched roof (under 3 in 12); a houseplex 11 m (Schedule G); garden suite 6.5 m; accessory buildings 3.75 m, one storey |
| A-1 Rural (2 ha lot) | One house with a secondary suite (s. 5.24); or small-scale multi-unit housing where s. 5.37 allows it (a lot inside the Urban Containment Boundary and the Sewer Service Area): houseplexes and at most one house, up to 4 homes (Schedule G). No garden suite (not a listed use here) | 2 ha, 60 m wide; no panhandle lots; a homesite severance the Agricultural Land Commission approves 2,500 m² | 40% on a lot under 2,000 m²; none set on bigger lots (small-scale multi-unit housing: Schedule G) | House 7.5 m, 6.5 m with a flat or low-pitched roof (under 3 in 12); a houseplex 11 m (Schedule G); farm buildings one storey (a hayloft or mezzanine allowed); other accessory buildings 3.75 m |
| RD-1 Two Family Dwelling | One house with a secondary suite, and a garden suite where s. 5.35 allows one (below); or small-scale multi-unit housing where s. 5.37 allows it: houseplexes and at most one house, up to 4 homes (3 on a lot of 279 m² or less, 6 on an eligible lot in a Transit Proximity Area) in at most 2 buildings (Schedule G) | 750 m², 20 m wide or 1.3 times the smallest lot width of the largest single family zone next to it, whichever is more (no panhandle lots) | 30% (small-scale multi-unit housing: Schedule G); accessory buildings together 10% | House 7.5 m, 6.5 m with a flat or low-pitched roof (under 3 in 12); a houseplex 11 m (Schedule G); garden suite 6.5 m; accessory buildings 3.75 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.
- RD-1: A two family dwelling (duplex) isn't among the zone's listed uses despite its name (s. 301.1); a building with two or more homes is a houseplex (s. 2), allowed only as small-scale multi-unit housing (s. 5.37, Schedule G). Whether an existing duplex here can stay or be rebuilt is unclear: ask the District.
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 District of Saanich's planning department before you buy or build.
Source: District of Saanich Zoning Bylaw No. 8200 (summarised in our words); zone map: Saanich Data Catalogue Licence (based on the Open Government Licence – British Columbia).