In the City of Campbell River, the zoning of a property dictates what it can be used for, as well as what can be built on it. For residential zones, the amount of dwelling units, the allowance of home-based business, and the size of ancillary buildings all depend on the properties zone.
To find out the zoning of your property, refer to the Zoning Map:
Interactive Zoning Map Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006 (Schedule B Map) [PDF/3.1MB]
Once you know your zone, you can look up the zoning regulations in the Zoning Bylaw:
Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006 (Schedule A Text) [PDF/7.3MB]
Common Residential Uses
Home-Based Businesses
Home-based businesses are allowed in all residential zones. Home-based businesses must be run out of the main dwelling unit on a property, as well as meet the requirements in section 4.9 of the Zoning Bylaw.
Short Term Rental Accommodations
The City's Zoning Bylaw does not reference short term rental accommodations. As such, they are not permitted in Campbell River and cannot receive business licences.
The City does, however, provide business licences for bed and breakfasts. These business must comply with the definitions and conditions set out in the Zoning Bylaw.
Secondary Suites
A secondary suite is a self-contained dwelling unit with a kitchen, sleeping and washroom facilities, contained within a larger dwelling. The two dwelling units and any common spaces (such as corridors, storage rooms, service rooms and laundry facilities) make up a single, undivided real estate entity.
In Campbell River, secondary suites are generally allowed in the following zones:
- R-I
- RM-1
- RM-2
- CD-1A1
- CD-1A2
- CD-1A3
- LS-R
- RU-1
- RU-2
- RU-3
For complete zoning requirements for secondary suites, please refer to the Zoning Bylaw.
If you wish to build a secondary suite, you must get a valid building permit in order for it to be considered legal.
Bill 44: Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023
In 2023, the Province passed new legislation that requires the Zoning Bylaw to allow for secondary suites, as well as additional dwelling units in zones within an urban containment boundary. The City updated our Zoning Bylaw in June 2024 to reflect these changes.
Part of these changes include the Residential Infill (R-I) zone, which replaces many previous residential zones (RE-1, R-1, R-1A, R-SD, R1-B, R1-C, R-2, R-2A and R-3). This change allows the City to align with Bill 44 and implement small scale multi-unit housing.
Fundamental changes and updates with R-I include:
- Allowing three to four dwelling units per lot
- Allowing bed and breakfast accommodations
- Minimum lot size is 350 metres squared
- Lot coverage will be 50 per cent
- Impermeable Surface maximum of 70 per cent
- New setback requirements
- New height maximums (10 metres or three storeys, whichever is the lesser).
Other zoning changes as a result of Bill 44 include:
- Amending the RM-1, RM-2, CD-1A1, CD-1A2 and CD-1A3 zones to allow for densities of three to four residential dwelling units per lot
- Amending LS-R, RU-1, RU-3 and RU-3 zones to permit a secondary suite or additional dwelling unit in addition to the principal dwelling
- Modifying definitions to implement new regulations more clearly
- Amending parking regulations for 1-4 dwelling units to only require 1 stall per dwelling unit.
You can read more about these zoning changes in the May 23, 2024 report to Council.