South Island & Cowichan Valley Land for Sale

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Nanaimo & Oceanside Land for Sale

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Comox Valley, Campbell River & North Island Land for Sale

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West Coast & Alberni Valley Land for Sale

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Buying Land on Vancouver Island: What to Know

Each region has its own character. The South Island pairs city convenience with rural pockets in Sooke, Metchosin and the Highlands. The Cowichan Valley offers farmland, vineyards and lake country around Shawnigan and Cowichan Lake. Nanaimo and Oceanside bring beaches and orchards in Errington and Coombs, while the Comox Valley and Campbell River balance mountains, rivers and ocean. Beyond them, the North Island and the West Coast near Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet offer the island at its wildest.

Before you buy, confirm what the zoning allows, whether the parcel is in the Agricultural Land Reserve, and who issues building permits: the municipality or the regional district. Outside town services, plan for a well and a septic system designed by an authorized practitioner, and check how far away grid power is.

Raw land is also financed differently from a finished home. Many lenders ask for a larger down payment, so talk with your lender early. And factor in access: road frontage, easements, forestry roads, water-only access and, for off-island buyers, BC Ferries crossings for you and your building materials.

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Vancouver Island Land FAQ

What can I build on vacant land on Vancouver Island?

It depends on the zoning, which is set by the municipality or, in rural areas, by one of the island's regional districts. Zoning controls permitted uses, the number of dwellings, setbacks and minimum lot sizes, and covenants or easements on title can add limits of their own. Streams, steep slopes and shorelines may bring extra setbacks or permit requirements. We check these with you before you write an offer and recommend a call to the local building department early in your planning.

What is ALR land, and can I build a home on it?

How do you finance raw land on Vancouver Island?