Rwanda zoning regulations
R1 · Low-density residential
Permitted, prohibited and conditional uses, and the building rules, for every zone in the City of Kigali and National Land Authority regulations.
In the City of Kigali
Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge · Kigali Zoning Regulations (2020)§ · PDF page 63 / printed page 47
Permitted uses
Single-family homes and qualifying home occupations.
Prohibited uses
Industrial activity and major infrastructure.
Conditional uses
R1A uses, semi-detached and multifamily housing, apartments above G+2, hospitality and accessory homes; public facilities and retail depend on their overlays.
Building rules
What to check
The 2020 table treats apartments above G+2 as conditional. Do not interpret R1 as a blanket ban on all apartments. Plots below 300 m² follow R1A rules in this edition.
In the other 27 districts
the other 27 districts · National Land Use Plans Zoning Regulations§ · PDF page 14 / printed page 8
Permitted uses
Single-family houses, home occupations and the uses allowed in R1A.
Prohibited uses
Apartments, industrial uses and major infrastructure.
Conditional uses
Semi-detached houses, restaurants, guest houses and hotels, and accessory homes; public facilities and shops where their overlays allow them.
Building rules
What to check
The national table prohibits apartments in R1, while Kigali’s treats apartments above G+2 as conditional. Plots under 300 m² follow R1A.
Related zoning guides
Start with your actual parcel
Look up the UPI to see which zone and which regulation apply to it.