LI-1: Light Industrial-1 Zone

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

None: homes aren't a use the zone lists (s. 4.11.1)

Exceptions (1)

• homes built before January 1, 1975 on two lots its site-specific table names

Listed in s. 4.11.8 of the bylaw.

Main uses

Light industry (making, assembling, processing, servicing, testing or storing goods without undue noise, smell or vibration), automotive repair, equipment rental, laboratory, brew pub, office, retail trade, personal service, food and beverage service, art and cultural facility, assembly, civic facility, veterinary clinic, utility, accessory buildings; at least 65% of the lot's area at ground floor must be automotive repair, equipment rental, laboratory or light industry. More than one building is allowed on a lot (s. 4.11.1)

Smallest lot for a subdivision

None set: the zone leaves its lot size section blank (s. 4.11.7)

Lot coverage

90% (s. 4.11.6)

Height limit

20.0 m, equipment, silos and cisterns too; the first storey at least 4.5 m high, 6.0 m with a mezzanine; parapets may rise 1.0 m and rooftop structures 5.0 m above it (s. 4.11.3)

Setbacks

Front, flanking street and rear 0 m; sides 0 m, but 3.0 m beside a lot zoned mainly for homes (s. 4.11.4). On a corner lot, nothing built within the 3 m corner triangle where the streets meet, from 3 m below to 3 m above grade (Part 3 s. 37)

The zone is for light industry, with some shops, offices and services alongside it (our reading of s. 4.11.1).

Density: floor space ratio 3.0 (s. 4.11.2).

Outdoor storage needs a concrete or asphalt surface, proper grading and drainage, a landscape screen at least 1.5 m high and 60 cm wide next to a lot zoned mainly for homes, and a landscape screen at least 1.0 m wide along any street (s. 4.11.1.1).

Short-term rental is allowed only as a home occupation in the operator's principal residence (Part 3 s. 20), so with no homes it isn't open in this zone (our reading).

The zone's site-specific table (20 entries) adds car sales and rental, cannabis stores, a motel, animal boarding or older homes on named lots, and wins where it differs (Part 1 s. 5); ask the City whether a lot is listed.

Parking (Part 5, Table 1): industrial uses 1 space per 140 m², a warehouse 1 per 100 m²; which column of the table the zone's shops and offices take is unclear: ask the City.

Accessory buildings: in the rear yard, at most 37 m² and 3.5 m high, 0.6 m from the side and rear lines, 3.5 m from a flanking street, 2.4 m from the main building, at most 25% of the rear yard; no home, shower, bath or toilet in them (Part 3 s. 27).

Parts 1, 2, 3 (general regulations) and 5 (parking) and Schedules B (urban agriculture) and C (density benefits) also apply.

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 City of Victoria's planning department before you buy or build.

Source: Part 4.11 of Zoning Bylaw 2018, No. 18-072 (summarised in our words, checked 2026-10-05); zone map: Open Government Licence – City of Victoria.