GRD-1 zone in Victoria
General Residential District - 1 Zone. Citywide residential zone created in Oct 2025 (Bylaw 25-038) that replaced hundreds of single-family, duplex and missing-middle zones; allows houses, multiplexes, townhouses and apartments with small non-residential uses on corners/transit streets.
The rules
| Name | General Residential District - 1 Zone |
|---|---|
| Homes allowed | No unit cap; density and height step up with building form (fewer than 3 units, heritage-conserving infill, 3+ units up to 3 storeys, 3+ units over 3 storeys) |
| Floor space ratio | 1.6 |
| Floor space notes | s.4.1.2: lots with fewer than three dwelling units 0.5:1; heritage conserving infill 1.6:1; three or more units (any height) 1.6:1, subject to Schedule C Density Benefits. Schedule C (Priority Growth Areas): 2.6:1 for secured rental or 0.5% below-market ownership (or cash-in-lieu $107.64/m2); 2.75:1 for affordable housing developments or with 15% three-bedroom units; 3.51:1 in the 200 m tier of a Transit Oriented Area for affordable housing. Value shown is the 3+ unit base. Residential buildings: min unit 33 m2; 3+ storey-or-less buildings need 30% three-bedroom units (s.3.1.30). |
| Height | 14 m (46 ft) · 4 (up to 6, or 10 in TOA 200 m tier) storeys |
| Height notes | s.4.1.3: fewer than 3 units 7.6 m; 3+ units up to 3 storeys 12.0 m; over 3 storeys 14 m (4 storeys), 17 m (5 storeys), 20.5 m and 6 storeys elsewhere, 32 m and 10 storeys in the 200 m tier of a Transit Oriented Area. Over 4 storeys only in a Priority Growth Area or TOA (s.4.1.3.c). Value shown is the 4-storey form available on any GRD-1 lot. |
| Lot coverage | 55% |
| Coverage notes | s.4.1.6: fewer than 3 units 40%; heritage infill 50%; 3+ units up to 3 storeys 45%; over 3 storeys 55%. Open lot space min 30% for all forms. Value shown is the over-3-storey form. |
| Setbacks | front 4 m (13 ft), side 1.5 m (5 ft), rear 8 m (26 ft), flank 4 m (13 ft) |
| Setback notes | s.4.1.4 (values shown: 3+ units, over 3 storeys): front 4.0 m; flanking 4.0 m; side 7.5 m to a primary facade up to 4 storeys (9.0 m above), 1.5 m to other facades (3.0 m above 4 storeys); rear 8.0 m or 25% of lot depth. Fewer than 3 units: front 4.0, side 1.5, rear 6.0, flank 4.0 m. 3+ units up to 3 storeys: front 4.0 m (2.0 m on corner lots for the first 15 m), side 4.0 m to primary facade / 1.5 m other, rear 5.0 m corner or 8.0 m other, flank 2.0 m. Minimum lot (s.4.1.7): 460 m2 / 10 m for fewer than 3 units; 360 m2 / 10 m for 3+ units up to 3 storeys; 540 m2 and 15 m (30 m for 5 storeys, 36 m above 5) for taller buildings. |
| Bonus density | Schedule C Density Benefits (see fsr_note); Schedule D Priority Growth Areas and Schedule E Transit Oriented Areas control height above 4 storeys. |
| Bylaw sections | Zoning Bylaw 2018 Part 4.1 (s.4.1.1-4.1.8); s.3.1.27-3.1.30; Schedule C |
What you can use it for
Residential (houses, duplexes, multiplexes, townhouses, apartments)Heritage conserving infillGarden suite (one per lot, max 56 m2, 4.2 m high; s.3.1.28)Home occupationRetail trade, personal service, food and beverage (first storey only, on transitAssemblyCivic facility
What BC law allows on these lots
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)5,562 lots
- 6 homes (near frequent transit)1,393 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)554 lots
Our estimate per lot under BC's Bills 44 and 47, from lot size, transit distance and the urban boundary.
Example lots in GRD-1
No addressed lots in this zone on the map.
Other zones in Victoria
Read from Zoning Bylaw 2018 (Bylaw No. 18-072), amendment table current to Bylaw 26-072 adopted 2026-10-01 (PDF cover still says 'Consolidated on June 9, 2022 up to Bylaw No. 22-048', but the summary of amendments runs to 2026-10-01). Remaining legacy lots stay under Zoning Regulation Bylaw No. 80-159 (office consolidation, undated). ↗, checked 2026-10-23. Summaries are our reading of the bylaw: confirm with Victoria before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.