Toronto zoning is the rulebook for what you can do with a piece of land. It controls whether you can build a fourplex, run a business from your home, add a garden suite, or convert a basement into a rental unit. Get the zoning wrong and you may face stop work orders, fines up to $50,000, and the prospect of demolishing work you have already done.
The rules have changed dramatically since 2023. Toronto has legalized multiplexes city wide, expanded garden and laneway suite permissions, opened residential areas to small scale commercial uses on Major Streets, and most recently allowed fiveplexes and sixplexes in parts of the city. The article you read three years ago is out of date.
This guide walks you through how Toronto zoning works in 2026, the legal framework under the Planning Act and the Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013, the recent changes that matter to property owners, and the four ways you can deal with a zoning restriction you do not like.
Need Help with Your Real Estate Transaction?
Speak with an experienced Ontario real estate lawyer to get assistance with your real estate matter.
Serving Clients Across Ontario
Remote Services Available
Client Focused & Flexible
What is Zoning By-Law?
A zoning by-law is a municipal regulation that tells you how a specific piece of land can be used and what can be built on it. In Toronto, the main zoning by-law is City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013, which covers most of the city.
Zoning controls use (what activity can happen there), built form (height, setbacks, density, lot coverage, gross floor area), and performance standards (parking, landscaping, amenity space, etc).
Zoning is created by the City under authority delegated by the Province through the Planning Act, RSO 1990, c. P.13 and the City of Toronto Act, 2006. Changes to zoning require either a council approved by-law amendment or a Committee of Adjustment decision, both governed by strict Planning Act procedures.
What Zoning By-Laws Actually Do
A zoning by-law does five things for every piece of land within the City of Toronto.
Defines permitted uses. The by-law lists exactly what activities can take place on the property. A residential zone permits dwellings. A commercial zone permits stores. An employment zone permits offices, light industry, and warehouses. Anything not listed as permitted is not allowed without a variance or amendment.
Sets density and built form rules. Maximum height, maximum gross floor area, lot coverage, setbacks from front, side, and rear lot lines, and minimum lot frontage and area. These rules define what you can physically build on the lot.
Imposes performance standards. Required parking spaces, bicycle parking, landscaped open space, amenity space, loading zones, waste storage requirements. These standards affect both new construction and major renovations.
Identifies overlays. Heritage Conservation Districts, height overlays, environmental overlays, flood plain overlays, and other layers can add additional restrictions on top of the base zoning.
Establishes exceptions. Specific exceptions for individual properties, listed in Chapter 900 of By-law 569-2013, override the general zone regulations for those particular lots. Many older sites have exceptions resulting from past zoning amendments.
Zoning is different from the Building Code. The Building Code (Ontario Building Code, made under the Building Code Act) governs construction safety, structural integrity, fire ratings, and similar matters. Zoning controls land use. Both apply to every project. Compliance with one does not mean compliance with the other.
The Ontario and Toronto Legal Framework
Several layers of law govern Toronto zoning.
Planning Act, RSO 1990, c. P.13. The provincial statute that gives municipalities the power to pass zoning by-laws. Section 34 is the core authority for zoning. Section 34(9) protects legal non-conforming uses. Section 34(19) governs appeals to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Section 45 governs minor variances heard by the Committee of Adjustment.
City of Toronto Act, 2006. Gives Toronto specific powers, distinct from those of other Ontario municipalities, including expanded by-law making authority.
Toronto Official Plan. A strategic policy document required under the Planning Act that sets out the long term land use vision for the City. The Official Plan does not directly regulate land use, but every zoning by-law and amendment must conform to it.
Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013. The main zoning by-law for the City. It harmonized the zoning regimes of the former municipalities (City of Toronto, City of York, City of Etobicoke, City of North York, City of Scarborough, Borough of East York) into one city-wide by-law after the 1998 amalgamation.
Site-specific by-laws and former municipality by-laws. Some areas of the City are still partially governed by the older zoning by-laws of the former municipalities (Toronto By-law 438-86, Etobicoke By-law 1996-94, North York By-law 7625, Scarborough Employment By-law 24982, etc.). These by-laws are gradually being absorbed into By-law 569-2013.
Provincial housing legislation. Recent statutes including the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23), the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023 (Bill 97), and the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024 (Bill 185) have layered additional requirements on municipal zoning, including mandatory permissions for additional residential units, garden suites, and other gentle density forms.
Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). The administrative tribunal that hears zoning appeals. The OLT replaced the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), which had replaced the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
Toronto Zoning By-Law 569-2013
By-law 569-2013 is a comprehensive document organized into chapters. The key chapters are.
Chapter 1. Administration, application of the by-law, and how it relates to other laws.
Chapter 5. General regulations applicable to all zones.
Chapter 10. Residential Zone Category regulations.
Chapter 15. Commercial Zone Category regulations.
Chapter 20. Mixed Use Zone Category regulations.
Chapter 30. Employment Zone Category regulations.
Chapter 40. Institutional Zone Category regulations.
Chapter 50. Open Space Zone Category regulations.
Chapter 60. Utility and Transportation Zone Category regulations.
Chapter 100. Built form standards (heights, setbacks, floor area).
Chapter 150. Specific use regulations (secondary suites, garden suites, laneway suites, home occupations, day nurseries, group homes, short term rentals, multi tenant houses).
Chapter 200. Parking and loading standards.
Chapter 800. Definitions.
Chapter 900. Exceptions for specific properties.
The full by-law text and the interactive zoning map are available on the City of Toronto website, but the office consolidation lags behind active amendments by several months. For legal purposes, the original by-law and amendments on file with the City Clerk are authoritative.
Recent Major Changes You Should Know About
Toronto has reshaped its zoning landscape between 2023 and 2025 through a series of high impact amendments. These changes have not been picked up in many older guides.
By-law 474-2023 (Multiplex By-law). Adopted in May 2023 as part of the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) program. Permits up to four dwelling units in detached houses, semi detached houses, and townhouses city wide, subject to the built form standards for detached houses. New construction and conversions of existing buildings are both permitted.
By-law 648-2025. Updates permissions and performance standards for detached houseplexes and semi detached houseplexes, including duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. Replaces older terminology with the new “houseplex” nomenclature.
By-law 654-2025. Expands permissions for fiveplexes and sixplexes in low rise residential neighbourhoods within the Toronto and East York Community Council districts. A significant expansion of “missing middle” housing in central Toronto.
By-laws 1507-2025, 1508-2025, and 1509-2025. Introduce certain commercial uses into residential neighbourhoods through Community Streets, Home Occupation, and Major Streets amendments. The Major Streets by-law permits small scale apartments and certain commercial uses on identified arterial roads.
By-law 1260-2024 (with corrections in By-law 1491-2025). Updates permissions and performance standards for mid rise buildings on certain Avenues.
By-law 1249-2024 and By-law 616-2025. Bring low rise residential lands within North York and Toronto-East York community council districts into Zoning By-law 569-2013.
By-laws 223-2025 and 1116-2025. Update standards for accessible parking, visitor parking, and bicycle parking across the City.
By-law 647-2025. Enables townhouse permissions in the RAC zone, conversion of underutilized space in existing apartment buildings, and cladding encroachments.
By-law 58-2026. Alters permissions and performance standards for multi tenant houses (rooming houses).
Garden suites and laneway suites. Now permitted city wide in residential zones under sections 150.7 and 150.8 of By-law 569-2013, subject to specific use regulations on size, height, setbacks, and parking.
Secondary suites. Permitted as of right in all detached, semi detached, and townhouse dwellings in residential zones under section 150.10 of By-law 569-2013.
The cumulative effect of these changes is that Toronto’s residential zones are now far more permissive than they were five years ago. Many projects that would have required a minor variance or zoning amendment in 2020 are now permitted as of right.
The Main Zone Categories in Toronto
Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 organizes the city into the following major zone categories.
Residential (R, RD, RS, RT, RM, RA, RAC). Residential zones permit dwellings and certain compatible uses. The letter suffix identifies the building types permitted. R (Residential) is the most flexible. RD permits only detached. RS permits semi detached. RT permits townhouses. RM permits multiple dwellings. RA permits apartment buildings. RAC permits apartments with some commercial uses.
Commercial (CR, CRE, CL, CO). Commercial zones permit retail, service, and office uses. Many commercial zones also permit residential uses above the ground floor. CR (Commercial Residential) is mixed use. CRE (Commercial Residential Employment) is a broader mix. CL (Commercial Local) is smaller scale. CO (Commercial Office) is office and professional services.
Mixed Use (CR, MCR, MMS, MMR). Mixed Use zones, mostly along the City’s Avenues and in growth centres, permit a wider mix of residential, commercial, and institutional uses.
Employment (E, EL, EH, EO). Employment zones permit offices, manufacturing, warehousing, and other employment activities. Residential uses are generally not permitted to protect industrial activity from sensitive uses.
Institutional (I). Hospitals, schools, places of worship, government facilities.
Open Space (O, ON, OG, OR, OM). Parks, ravines, conservation areas, natural heritage.
Utility and Transportation (UT). Major roads, transit corridors, utility infrastructure.
In every zone, specific use restrictions in Chapter 150 of the by-law apply on top of the general zone permissions.
How to Find Your Property’s Zoning
The fastest way to find the zoning on a Toronto property is the City of Toronto Zoning By-law Interactive Map. Enter the municipal address, and the map will display the colour coded zoning, the relevant zone label (with any height, frontage, or density specifiers), and links to the specific chapter of By-law 569-2013 that applies.
The zone label often includes additional codes. For example, a label like “R (d0.6) (x123)” means a Residential zone with a maximum density of 0.6 (gross floor area divided by lot area) and an exception 123 from Chapter 900 (which may modify the standard rules).
For legal or planning purposes, the interactive map is for convenience only. The authoritative text is the original by-law and its amendments on file with the City Clerk. For complex matters, a planning consultant or real estate lawyer should pull the certified text of the applicable provisions.
Several Toronto properties are not covered by By-law 569-2013 and remain under former municipality by-laws (especially in parts of North York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough). For those properties, contact City Planning to confirm the applicable by-law before relying on the interactive map.
The Toronto Official Plan, also accessible online, provides the strategic context. Designations like “Neighbourhoods,” “Mixed Use Areas,” “Avenues,” and “Employment Areas” guide which zoning categories apply and constrain what amendments are possible.
Searching your address will reveal the colour-coded zoning information affecting your property.
Hyperlinks will take you to the specific zoning by-law chapter.
Comparison of Major Toronto Zone Categories
| Zone Category | Typical Uses | Common Buildings | Density / Height | Mixed Use |
| Residential (R) | Single family, semi, townhouse, multiplex up to four units | Detached, semi, townhouse, houseplex | Low (FSI 0.6 to 1.0), height up to 10 metres | No |
| Residential Apartment (RA) | Apartment buildings | Mid to high rise | Higher density, height varies | No |
| Residential Apartment Commercial (RAC) | Apartments with some commercial | Mixed | Higher density, height varies | Yes |
| Commercial Residential (CR) | Retail with residential above | Low to mid rise | Variable, generally moderate | Yes |
| Commercial Office (CO) | Offices, professional services | Mid to high rise | Variable | Sometimes |
| Mixed Use (MCR, MMS) | Broad mix of residential, commercial, institutional | Mid to high rise | High density | Yes |
| Employment (E) | Offices, light industry, warehousing | Low to mid rise | Moderate | No |
| Institutional (I) | Schools, hospitals, places of worship | Variable | Variable | No |
| Open Space (O) | Parks, conservation, ravines | Minimal | Minimal | No |
Four Ways to Address a Zoning Restriction
If the zoning does not permit what you want to do, you have four basic options.
Option 1. Build to comply. Redesign the project to fit within the existing zoning. This is the cheapest and fastest path. A good architect can often find solutions that meet the by-law without requiring approvals.
Option 2. Minor Variance (Committee of Adjustment). Apply to the Committee of Adjustment under section 45 of the Planning Act for a minor variance from specific provisions of the by-law. The Committee applies a four part test set out in section 45(1) of the Planning Act, asking whether the variance is minor, desirable for the appropriate development of the land, maintains the general intent and purpose of the by-law, and maintains the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan. Minor variance applications typically take 4 to 6 months and cost $3,000 to $10,000 in application fees plus planner and lawyer costs.
Option 3. Zoning By-Law Amendment. Apply to the City under section 34 of the Planning Act for an amendment to the by-law itself. This is the path for larger or more complex changes (e.g. rezoning a property from residential to commercial). Zoning amendment applications require a public meeting, public notice, planning staff review, and City Council approval. The process typically takes 12 to 24 months and costs $20,000 to $100,000 or more in application fees, planning consultant fees, traffic studies, and legal costs.
Option 4. Consent (Severance). If you want to divide an existing lot into smaller lots, apply to the Committee of Adjustment under section 53 of the Planning Act for a consent (commonly called a severance). Each new lot must comply with the by-law on its own.
Other planning approvals that often work together with the above include Site Plan Control (under section 41 of the Planning Act, governing the design of larger projects), Plans of Subdivision (under section 51, for subdivision into multiple lots), and Heritage Conservation District alterations (where the property is within a designated HCD).
The Ontario Land Tribunal hears appeals of denied minor variances, zoning amendments, consents, and subdivision approvals. The OLT process is formal, involves expert evidence, and can take 12 to 24 months.
Legal Non-Conforming Uses
Section 34(9) of the Planning Act protects uses that were legally established before a zoning by-law was passed that would otherwise prohibit them. If the use was lawful when established and has continued without significant interruption, it can continue even though it no longer complies with current zoning.
The classic example is a small retail shop that has operated for 50 years in what is now a residential zone. The shop predates the zoning by-law that made the area residential. As long as the shop has continued in operation, it can stay. The legal non-conforming status protects the owner.
Several practical points about legal non-conforming status.
Continuity matters. If the use stops for an extended period (usually more than six months, but the test is fact specific), the legal non-conforming status can be lost. Once lost, the use cannot resume without zoning approval.
Expansion is limited. The legal non-conforming use can usually continue at its existing intensity but cannot be expanded without approval. Adding a new floor to a non-conforming building, or substantially increasing the activity, typically requires a variance or amendment.
Reconstruction after damage. Section 34(10) gives the property owner some right to reconstruct after damage or destruction, provided the work meets certain conditions and is completed within a reasonable time.
Burden of proof on the owner. If the City challenges the legal non-conforming status, the owner has to prove the use was lawful when established and has continued without significant interruption.
For prospective buyers, confirming legal non-conforming status of an existing use through municipal letters of compliance or a planning opinion is critical due diligence before closing.
Penalties and Enforcement
Zoning enforcement in Toronto is taken seriously. The Planning Act and the City of Toronto Act give the City significant tools to deal with violations.
Fines. Under section 67 of the Planning Act, a person convicted of an offence is liable on first conviction to a fine of up to $25,000 for an individual and up to $50,000 for a corporation. On subsequent convictions, the fines double.
Stop work orders. The City’s Chief Building Official can issue a stop work order under the Building Code Act, halting all construction until the violation is resolved.
Building permit refusal. The City will not issue a building permit for a project that violates the zoning by-law. If you started building without a permit, the City can require you to bring the work into compliance, sometimes including demolition.
Court orders. The City can apply to court for an order requiring the owner to demolish, alter, or repair a building, or to discontinue a use, that violates the by-law.
Order to comply. The City can issue a written order requiring compliance, with the cost of any required remedial work charged back to the property and added to the property tax bill.
Notice on title. In some cases, violations can be noted on title through municipal certificates, making the property harder to sell and complicating refinancing.
For buyers, the title search and examination process should include off title searches for outstanding work orders, building permits, and zoning compliance letters from the City. Discovering an unresolved violation after closing is expensive and disruptive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main zoning by-law in Toronto?
Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 is the comprehensive city wide zoning by-law that applies to most of Toronto. It was adopted in 2013 to harmonize the zoning rules of the former municipalities that amalgamated to form the current City of Toronto in 1998. Some parts of the City are still partially covered by former municipality by-laws, but the trend is toward full incorporation into By-law 569-2013.
Can I build a fourplex on my Toronto property?
In most cases, yes. By-law 474-2023 (the Multiplex By-law) permits up to four dwelling units in detached houses, semi detached houses, and townhouses in all residential zones across Toronto, subject to the built form standards for detached houses. Newer by-laws (648-2025 and 654-2025) have refined the rules and expanded permissions for fiveplexes and sixplexes in parts of central Toronto. You still need to comply with built form rules, parking requirements, and any specific exceptions in Chapter 900 of the by-law, plus the Ontario Building Code.
How do I check the zoning on a property in Toronto?
Use the City of Toronto Zoning By-law Interactive Map at map.toronto.ca to search by address. The map displays the zoning category, any height or density specifiers, and links to the relevant chapters of By-law 569-2013. The interactive map is for convenience only. For legal purposes, the original by-law and amendments on file with the City Clerk are the authoritative text. Some properties are still under former municipality by-laws and may need a direct call to City Planning.
What is a minor variance in Toronto zoning?
A minor variance is a relatively small departure from the strict terms of the zoning by-law, granted by the Committee of Adjustment under section 45 of the Planning Act. The four part test asks whether the variance is minor, desirable for the appropriate development of the land, and maintains the general intent and purpose of both the by-law and the Official Plan. Typical applications take 4 to 6 months. Decisions can be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
What is the difference between zoning and a building permit?
Zoning controls what you can use a property for and the physical envelope of any building. The Building Code governs the construction details, structural integrity, fire safety, and similar matters. Both apply. Zoning compliance is checked before a building permit is issued. The Building Code is enforced through the permit and inspection process during construction. Both must be satisfied for any project.
What happens if I build without checking the zoning in Toronto?
You may face a stop work order, fines of up to $25,000 for an individual or $50,000 for a corporation under section 67 of the Planning Act, court orders to demolish or remove the work, and additional costs charged to the property tax bill. Unresolved violations can also appear on title and make the property difficult to sell or refinance. Always confirm zoning compliance before starting work, and pull a building permit for any project that requires one.
The information provided above is of a general nature and should not be considered legal advice. Every transaction or circumstance is unique, and obtaining specific legal advice is necessary to address your particular requirements. Therefore, if you have any legal questions, it is recommended that you consult with a lawyer.
{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@graph”: [ { “@type”: “Article”, “@id”: “https://insightlawfirm.ca/toronto-zoning-by-laws-explained/#article”, “headline”: “Toronto Zoning By-Laws Explained Complete Guide for Property Owners and Investors”, “description”: “An experienced Ontario real estate lawyer explains Toronto zoning by-laws, the legal framework under the Planning Act, Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013, the recent Multiplex By-law 474-2023 and 2025 fiveplex and sixplex amendments, minor variances and zoning amendments, legal non-conforming uses, and the penalties for violations.”, “image”: { “@type”: “ImageObject”, “url”: “https://insightlawfirm.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Toronto-Zoning-By-laws-Explained.png”, “width”: 1200, “height”: 800 }, “datePublished”: “2023-10-21T13:46:45-04:00”, “dateModified”: “2026-05-18T09:00:00-04:00”, “author”: { “@type”: “Person”, “@id”: “https://insightlawfirm.ca/demet-altunbulakli-english-french-turkish-lawyer/#person”, “name”: “Demet Altunbulakli”, “url”: “https://insightlawfirm.ca/demet-altunbulakli-english-french-turkish-lawyer/”, “jobTitle”: “Founding Lawyer”, “worksFor”: { “@type”: “LegalService”, “name”: “Insight Law Professional Corporation”, “url”: “https://insightlawfirm.ca/” }, “alumniOf”: [ { “@type”: “EducationalOrganization”, “name”: “Galatasaray University” }, { “@type”: “EducationalOrganization”, “name”: “University of Florence” }, { “@type”: “EducationalOrganization”, “name”: “University of Alberta Faculty of Law” } ], “knowsLanguage”: [“English”, “French”, “Turkish”] }, “publisher”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “@id”: “https://insightlawfirm.ca/#organization”, “name”: “Insight Law Professional Corporation”, “url”: “https://insightlawfirm.ca/”, “logo”: { “@type”: “ImageObject”, “url”: “https://insightlawfirm.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Insight-Law-Firm-Logo.jpg” }, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “streetAddress”: “160 Eglinton Avenue E Suite 300”, “addressLocality”: “Toronto”, “addressRegion”: “ON”, “postalCode”: “M4P 3B5”, “addressCountry”: “CA” }, “telephone”: “+1-647-300-8391” }, “mainEntityOfPage”: { “@type”: “WebPage”, “@id”: “https://insightlawfirm.ca/toronto-zoning-by-laws-explained/” }, “articleSection”: “Real Estate Law”, “inLanguage”: “en-CA”, “keywords”: [ “Toronto zoning by-laws”, “Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013”, “Multiplex By-law 474-2023”, “Planning Act Ontario”, “minor variance Toronto”, “Committee of Adjustment”, “garden suite Toronto”, “laneway suite Toronto”, “Ontario Land Tribunal”, “real estate lawyer Toronto” ], “about”: [ { “@type”: “Thing”, “name”: “Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013”, “description”: “The comprehensive city-wide zoning by-law that applies to most properties in Toronto” }, { “@type”: “Legislation”, “name”: “Planning Act, RSO 1990, c. P.13”, “url”: “https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90p13” }, { “@type”: “Legislation”, “name”: “City of Toronto Act, 2006”, “url”: “https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/06c11” }, { “@type”: “Legislation”, “name”: “More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022”, “url”: “https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/s22021” }, { “@type”: “Legislation”, “name”: “Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024”, “url”: “https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/s24016” } ], “mentions”: [ { “@type”: “GovernmentOrganization”, “name”: “City of Toronto”, “url”: “https://www.toronto.ca/” }, { “@type”: “GovernmentOrganization”, “name”: “Ontario Land Tribunal”, “url”: “https://olt.gov.on.ca/” }, { “@type”: “GovernmentOrganization”, “name”: “Toronto Committee of Adjustment”, “url”: “https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/committee-of-adjustment/” } ] }, { “@type”: “FAQPage”, “@id”: “https://insightlawfirm.ca/toronto-zoning-by-laws-explained/#faq”, “mainEntity”: [ { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What is the main zoning by-law in Toronto?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 is the comprehensive city wide zoning by-law that applies to most of Toronto. It was adopted in 2013 to harmonize the zoning rules of the former municipalities that amalgamated to form the current City of Toronto in 1998. Some parts of the City are still partially covered by former municipality by-laws, but the trend is toward full incorporation into By-law 569-2013.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Can I build a fourplex on my Toronto property?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “In most cases, yes. By-law 474-2023 (the Multiplex By-law) permits up to four dwelling units in detached houses, semi detached houses, and townhouses in all residential zones across Toronto, subject to the built form standards for detached houses. Newer by-laws (648-2025 and 654-2025) have refined the rules and expanded permissions for fiveplexes and sixplexes in parts of central Toronto. You still need to comply with built form rules, parking requirements, and any specific exceptions in Chapter 900 of the by-law, plus the Ontario Building Code.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “How do I check the zoning on a property in Toronto?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Use the City of Toronto Zoning By-law Interactive Map at map.toronto.ca to search by address. The map displays the zoning category, any height or density specifiers, and links to the relevant chapters of By-law 569-2013. The interactive map is for convenience only. For legal purposes, the original by-law and amendments on file with the City Clerk are the authoritative text. Some properties are still under former municipality by-laws and may need a direct call to City Planning.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What is a minor variance in Toronto zoning?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “A minor variance is a relatively small departure from the strict terms of the zoning by-law, granted by the Committee of Adjustment under section 45 of the Planning Act. The four part test asks whether the variance is minor, desirable for the appropriate development of the land, and maintains the general intent and purpose of both the by-law and the Official Plan. Typical applications take 4 to 6 months. Decisions can be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What is the difference between zoning and a building permit?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Zoning controls what you can use a property for and the physical envelope of any building. The Building Code governs the construction details, structural integrity, fire safety, and similar matters. Both apply. Zoning compliance is checked before a building permit is issued. The Building Code is enforced through the permit and inspection process during construction. Both must be satisfied for any project.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What happens if I build without checking the zoning in Toronto?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “You may face a stop work order, fines of up to $25,000 for an individual or $50,000 for a corporation under section 67 of the Planning Act, court orders to demolish or remove the work, and additional costs charged to the property tax bill. Unresolved violations can also appear on title and make the property difficult to sell or refinance. Always confirm zoning compliance before starting work, and pull a building permit for any project that requires one.” } } ] } ] }