HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR PROPERTY’S ZONING TYPe
Are you planning a renovation or dreaming up a new build on a piece of land? One of the first things that you (and designers) will need to know is your property’s zoning type. Zoning determines what is possible on your property and important information like setback requirements etc. Below we have outlined how to figure out your property’s zoning type so you can move forward with your planning confidently.
Finding this information before even approaching a designer can be helpful because it can give you the information you need to find out if your renovation or building dreams are possible. But zoning can be a bit confusing and hard to interpret - so this is one reason it’s so beneficial to work with a designer (we have an article that goes over all the benefits of working with a designer) - they can both help you determine your zoning type and also decipher the rules & regulations around your zoning.
To determine your zoning type, the first place to check is your city or municipalities zoning webpages (below we have provided some zoning websites specific to our local area). Most of these websites have interactive maps where you can type in your address and find out the zoning, lot size, parcel identifier and accessed value of your property. It will generate a report and move the map to your property. There are also layers that you can toggle on and off to find out more information on your property like trails, parks or city owned properties in the area.
Once you have your zoning information you can go to the zoning bylaws. Each municipality has different bylaws which can vary greatly, and it can affect the height of your building, setbacks, and what use is permitted on your property so it’s important for you or your designer to investigate this before starting to design. To find your properties bylaw restrictions, you will need to go to the section with the zone type that you found in the interactive map (for example Residential-1 or R-). You should also check the general provisions section as well as sometimes there is pertinent information that could affect what you find in your zone category.
No matter whether you are planning a new build or renovation, understanding your property’s zoning type and associated bylaws is an important first step in the design process. Having this knowledge will allow you to determine what is possible with your property so you can confidently move forwards in the design process. If you are having a hard time understanding your zoning or interpreting bylaws, it’s a good idea to reach out to an interior designer in your local area because zoning and bylaws vary per region or municipality.
Campbell River Zoning Bylaws
Campbell River Zoning Map