R4 zone in Nanaimo
Two Unit Residential Zone. Two dwellings in one or two principal buildings (s.7.1).
21lots in this zone on the map
2,173 m²median lot size (23,390 ft²)
101–4,252 m²smallest to largest lot
9 mmaximum height (30 ft)
The rules
| Name | Two Unit Residential Zone |
|---|---|
| Homes allowed | 2 dwelling units (s.7.3.1) plus one secondary suite per unit (s.6.15) |
| Floor space ratio | 0.55 |
| Floor space notes | FAR 0.55 for the two units (s.7.3.1). Secondary suites (s.6.15): one per principal unit; a single residential dwelling may have two (one in the house, one in an accessory building) except in R2/R3; in-house suite max 40% of habitable floor space up to 100 m2; detached suite only on R5/R14, corner, lane, through or >=500 m2 lots, max 100 m2. |
| Height | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Height notes | s.7.6.1: 7 m flat roof (<4:12), 9 m sloped roof (>=4:12). Perimeter wall 7.32 m. |
| Lot coverage | 40% |
| Coverage notes | Lot coverage 40% (s.7.6.1). |
| Setbacks | front 3 m (10 ft), side 1.5 m (5 ft), rear 7.5 m (25 ft), flank 2.5 m (8 ft) |
| Setback notes | s.7.5.1: front 3.0, side 1.5, flanking 2.5, rear 7.5 m. Garage doors facing a street 6 m (s.7.5.3). Extra 2.5 m on unwidened major roads (s.7.5.4). Accessory buildings rear 1.5 m (1.0 m to lane) in R1-R7, R10, R14 (s.6.6.3). |
| Bylaw sections | Part 7 (s.7.1-7.6) for R4; s.6.15 |
What you can use it for
DuplexSingle residential dwellingSecondary suiteDaycareHome based businessShort-term rental
What BC law allows on these lots
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)7 lots
- 6 homes (near frequent transit)5 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)2 lots
Our estimate per lot under BC's Bills 44 and 47, from lot size, transit distance and the urban boundary.
Example lots in R4
No addressed lots in this zone on the map.
Other zones in Nanaimo
R5R8R10R6COR1R1R14COR3COR2DT5R9CC4R15AR2AR1CC3DT2CC2R7DT1CC5R12DT3R2
Read from City of Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw 2011 No. 4500 (consolidated version dated 2026-03-23; last amendment in table 4500.213 adopted 2026-03-23) ↗, checked 2026-10-23. Summaries are our reading of the bylaw: confirm with Nanaimo before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.