ZONING GUIDELINES – CITY OF KIGALI

1.1.2 Mixed Single Family Residential District (R1A)

General Description: The Mixed Single Family Residential District (R1A) is a

residential district for mixed single family and low rise developments. The R1A District
is intended to offer high-end low rise housing and complementary public facilities as
needed. The minimum lot areas in the R1A District are smaller than that found in
Single Family Residential Districts (R1) in order to distinguish the R1A District as a
higher density low rise residential neighbourhood with shared facilities. The purpose is
to create a high-end mix single family area in the prime areas of the City by allowing
for intensification of the existing low rise housing development.
Table 1.2: Mixed Single Family Residential District (R1A).
Regulation Remarks

These regulations shall apply to:

• All new and redeveloped residential uses within the Mixed Single Family Residential District (R1A)

• Lots zoned or re-zoned for residential uses within the Mixed Single Family Residential District (R1A)

1.0 USES
• Single family houses (all types)
• Low rise apartment, townhouse & cluster bungalow
1.1 Permitted Uses
development
• Complementary clubhouse for housing cluster
• Residential apartments exceeding 3 storey height
• General commercial uses
1.2 Prohibited Uses
• Industrial uses
• Major infrastructure
• Standalone food outlet with less than 50 seats Refer land use plan
• Hotels (incl. its ancillary uses) for guidance on
• Public facilities location of facility
•
2
Convenience stores not exceeding 60m of floor
area Refer appendix for
1.3 Conditional Uses
• Home Office regulations
regarding facilities

Refer regulations
for home offices
• Car parking garage
• Guard house
1.4 Ancillary Uses • Maids’ quarters
• Outdoor kitchen
• Store rooms
• 250 m
2
1.5 Minimum Lot Size
2.0 COVERAGE
2.1 Maximum Building • 50% maximum
Coverage
2.2 Minimum • 20% minimum
Landscaping
Coverage
2.3 Maximum Floor • 1.0 maximum
Area Ratio (FAR)
3.0 BUILDING
3.1 Maximum Number • G+1+P
of Floors • G (ancillary buildings)
3.2 Floor to Floor • 4m maximum
Height

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 ZONING GUIDELINES – CITY OF KIGALI

Regulation Remarks
• Detached villas
3.3 Building Form
• Semi Detached villas
• Additions and alterations necessary to retain an
existing approved legally non-conforming building
and its use in good order and repair will be allowed,
subject to:
• No material change in use which does not comply
with the prevailing zoning regulations;
• No further increase in floor area of the existing
non-conforming use
• Any additional floor area required for the non-
conforming use will:
3.4 Existing Buildings
• Be subject to the evaluation and approval of the
City of Kigali, One Stop Centre; and
• Not to exceed 10% of the existing use
• Conversion of a residential villa to other permitted
uses shall be considered subject to:
• Compliance with parking requirements for non-
residential use
• Removal of the front boundary wall; and
• Aesthetic enhancement of the front elevation of
the building
4.0 BUILDING SETBACK (Minimum)
Detached Buildings Refer Appendix for
• Front: 7 m (min) illustration of
• Side: 3 m (min) setbacks for
• Rear: 3 m (min) semidetached
houses
4.1 Building (Above
Semi-Detached Buildings
Grade)
• Front: 7 m (min)
• Side: 3 m (min)
• Common Side: 0 m
• Rear: 3 m (min)
(Corner plots require Side setback of 3m min)
• Common lot boundaries: 0 m
• All lot boundaries fronting roads: 3 m (min) (to allow
4.2 Basement Setback for any below grade services that may be required
and ensure the viable growth of trees)

• In the front setback along the lot frontage,

• May be allowed at the zero setback provided their
width does not exceed 25% of the lot frontage
• May be located within the front setback, up to 2
m, provided they do not exceed 50% of the lot
frontage
4.3 Ancillary Buildings
• Other ancillary uses
• May be allowed within the side and rear setbacks
• Are subject to their overall width not exceeding
50% of length of the boundary within which they
encroach.

4.4 Between Multiple • N/A

Buildings on the
Same Lot

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5.0 SERVICE AREAS AND EQUIPMENT

5.1 Loading Docks • N/A
5.2 Outdoor Storage • No outdoor storage shall be allowed
Areas
• Proper location of the outdoor refuse areas shall be
5.3 Refuse Storage decided by the City of Kigali, One Stop Centre upon
Areas review of the development application.

• At grade water tank and mechanical equipment:

• Shall be located to the side or rear of the building
• May be located in the setback provided a
minimum of 2 m is maintained free of obstruction
5.4 Mechanical
and they do not impede circulation
Equipment
• At grade or rooftop water tank, mechanical and
telecommunications equipment :
• Shall be screened subject to approval by the City
of Kigali, One Stop Centre
6.0 PARKING
• Required parking stalls shall be provided within the
6.1 Location
lot boundary
• Parking shall be hard surfaced and provided with
6.2 Surfacing
adequate drainage
• Villa – 2 Parking Lots per unit shall be provided
• Food outlet -1 Parking Lot per 10 seats shall be
6.3 Minimum Required provided
• Hotel - 1 Parking Lot per 200 m shall be provided
2
Parking Stalls
• Apartment – 1.5 Parking Lots per unit shall be
provided
• 1 Disabled parking shall be provided in an apartment
6.4 Disabled Parking
and housing complex.
6.5 Minimum • N/A
Dimensions
• Only 1 vehicular ingress and egress point shall be
allowed
6.6 Vehicular Access
• Additional vehicular ingress and egress point
to Parking Lot
shall be evaluated on case-by-case basis by the
City of Kigali, One Stop Centre
7.0 FENCING AND WALLS
• Fencing and walls in the front, side and rear yards
shall be at the perimeter of the lot
7.1 Location

• Rear and side fencing or walls shall not exceed 2.5

m in height. Front boundary wall should not exceed
2 m in height.
• Additional height
• Shall be evaluated on case-by-case basis by the
7.2 Heights City of Kigali, One Stop Centre
• Front fencing or walls shall conform with the
height on directly adjacent lots

• The front boundary wall shall use material that

allows 50% transparency

7.3 Materials

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 ZONING GUIDELINES – CITY OF KIGALI

8.0 CIRCULATION
8.1 Pedestrian • N/A
• N/A
8.2 Public Transit

9.0 SIGNAGE
• One sign shall be located on the fencing wall along
the front setback
• A maximum of 35cm height x 35cm width of signage
shall be permitted for Single Family Houses.
• Larger sign is allowed for apartment complex or
9.1 Permitted
housing cluster, subject to approval by City of Kigali,
One Stop Centre.
• Protrusion of the signage must be contained within
plot boundary

10.0 LANDSCAPING AND RECREATION

10.1 Minimum Width • N/A
10.2 Maintenance • N/A
10.3 Recreational • N/A
Amenities
Source: Surbana