What is the typical size of lots, i.e. width and length, suitable for laneway houses in Nelson? What are the typical zoning restrictions, i.e. height and setbacks, for residential zones?

Lot depth is typically 120 ft. and width is often 50 to 75 feet, but we don’t have quite the same ‘typical’ lot width or configuration as other cities, which you can see by looking at the cadastral map layer (go to www.bcassessment.ca and start poking around; try 418 Robson St, 711 Regent St, or 1808 Fort Sheppard for example).

Most of the city is R1-zoned. The neighbourhood next to the downtown is zoned R3 for higher density and relaxed setback/lot coverage requirements. These are the only two zones to consider for this competition. The complete zoning bylaw and interactive webmap can be found at www.nelson.ca/zoning.

The height and setback restrictions are contained in the LWH guide at www.nelson.ca/lwh_guide/

For new single-family (principal) homes in the R1 zone:

  • Lot coverage: 35% (and a min. of 30% of the lot must be permeable)
  • Setbacks: 4.5m front and rear, 1.5m for side lot lines
  • Height: 10 metres
  • The required parking (2 spaces for a principal home, 1 for a suite or laneway house, to a maximum of 3 spaces required) can be sited anywhere on the lot (front or back), with no requirement to be paved, covered, uncovered, etc.

Show All Answers

1. Does the signed Entrance Form needs to be sent to you earlier or submitted together with the competition materials at the 1st round deadline date of September 2, 2019?
2. Are alternative foundations acceptable?
3. Are the submitted drawings to be of mass models of different design configurations that fit the different lot and topography configurations?
4. What is the typical size of lots, i.e. width and length, suitable for laneway houses in Nelson? What are the typical zoning restrictions, i.e. height and setbacks, for residential zones?
5. Are (semi-)covered carports included in the building footprint calculation? At which point are eaves/ roof overhangs exempt from the building footprint calculation?
6. Are design teams allowed to submit more than one design?
7. Specific first-round submission format expectations: You state "A design board....including high-level specifications ..."
8. At what point will you determine whether you have enough submissions go move forward vs extending the contest deadline in the hopes of garnering more submissions?
9. Is an eave/roof overhang over entrances ...
10. Would you kindly clarify if this is an AIBC sanctioned “competition”?
11. Gross floor area, registration form, and image submission ...
12. Design boards, Step Code, minimum height, modifications ...
13. Local Entries
14. Questions on drawing types
15. Evaluation criteria, costs, and floor plans
16. Inclusion of technical details; site selection ...