Key changes to Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw 4500, newest first. The June 2024 small-scale multi-unit housing amendments rezoned most single-family and duplex lots; the zone on each lot still governs what it allows.
July 29, 2024: Nanaimo sets R1 rules for houses in the Interim Corridor Area
· Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.229
The June 2024 amendments placed about 1,000 lots in a new Interim Corridor Area under the corridor zones. Bylaw 4500.229 changed section 9.8.1 so the maximum density on those lots follows the R1 zone.
It also added section 9.8.2. A single residential dwelling in the Interim Corridor Area uses R1 setbacks, lot coverage, building height, accessory building size and fence height, and parking may sit in the front yard.
June 17, 2024: Nanaimo pre-zones most single-family and duplex lots for three or four units
· Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4500.223
Council adopted the Increasing Housing Options and small-scale multi-unit housing amendments on June 17, 2024 to meet the Province's Bill 44. Staff estimated about 22,000 lots would move to the new R5 Three and Four Unit Residential zone, about 550 to R14 Old City Low Density (Fourplex) Residential, and about 1,000 to the Interim Corridor Area.
R5 permits three dwelling units, and one more where the lot is 280 m2 or larger. Lots without City services, larger lots, some zones, lots with North Slope stability hazards and lots inside a Transit-Oriented Area were left out of the pre-zoning.
June 17, 2024: Nanaimo designates three Transit-Oriented Areas
· Transit-Oriented Areas Designation Bylaw No. 7382
Council designated Transit-Oriented Areas around the Woodgrove, Country Club and Vancouver Island University bus exchanges, as the Province's Bill 47 requires.
Within 200 m of an exchange the provincial minimums are a floor area ratio of 3.5 and 10 storeys; from 200 m to 400 m they are 2.5 and 6 storeys. These are the densities the City cannot refuse at rezoning, not a by-right zone. A companion change removed residential parking minimums near the exchanges.
We compare the municipality's consolidated zoning bylaw and its published updates against our stored copies. Each entry links to the municipality's published record. This timeline highlights selected residential changes; use the official bylaw and amendment records to confirm the rules for your lot.
Frequently asked questions
What did Nanaimo change for small-scale multi-unit housing?
Bylaw 4500.223, adopted June 17, 2024, moved most single-family and duplex lots into the new R5 and R14 zones or the Interim Corridor Area. R5 permits three dwelling units, or four on a lot of 280 m2 or more.
Why do some Nanaimo lots still allow fewer units?
The City left out lots without municipal water and sewer, larger lots, some zones, lots with North Slope stability hazards and lots inside a Transit-Oriented Area. Those lots keep the rules of their existing zone.
What is the Interim Corridor Area?
It is a set of corridor-zoned lots that hold houses today. Bylaw 4500.229 gives them R1 density and R1 siting rules for a single residential dwelling until they redevelop under the corridor zone.
How does this page track Nanaimo changes?
It selects adopted amendments from the City's table of amendments and summarizes City bylaw and council records. It is not the full amendment register. Confirm the current rule against the consolidated Zoning Bylaw 4500 with City of Nanaimo Current Planning.
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