Zoning is the primary tool used by municipalities to implement the Official Plan. It is considered applicable law under the Ontario Building Code. Zoning allows municipalities to identify and control the permitted land uses and built form on a property. Examples of what zoning may regulate include the following:

• Permitted land uses (e.g., single-detached residential dwelling, apartment building, commercial plaza, industrial warehousing, etc.);
• Size, height and placement of buildings and structures;
• Setbacks to adjacent properties or to roads;
• Minimum or maximum number of parking spaces;
• Amount of landscaping or building coverage;
• Density or number of units;

Zoning is a municipal by-law that is adopted by City Council. The zoning webpage can help you to search for copies of zoning by-laws or your property’s zoning.