Toronto Building, Zoning inquiries for properties located in the Toronto and East York District only, by appointment only via a new online appointment request process.
Customers may call Toronto Building Customer Service to receive general zoning advice.
Detailed zoning advice is available through our existing preliminary zoning review program by applying for a Zoning Applicable Law Certificate (ZAP).
City-wide Zoning Bylaw 569-2013 as amended may be accessed using the interactive map.
The new Zoning bylaw for the City of Toronto (569-2013) has been enacted and is enforceable. This new Zoning bylaw is also the subject of an appeal. All former bylaws of the City are also in effect until such time that the appeals are dealt with. This means that in many instances, there are two separate bylaws that currently affect the properties in the City of Toronto, one entirely available online and another that may have very limited info available electronically.
In addition, there are properties that are not governed by the new Zoning bylaw. This is evidenced by the grey areas "not part of this by-law" as shown on the maps. In these instances, only the former bylaws are applicable.
Zoning is the municipal regulation of land and building use. Zoning regulations are the specifications that determine the use of property i.e. single family use, high-rise residential use, industrial, commercial use etc. Zoning bylaws also govern where you can locate a structure and the size, and type of structure
The Zoning bylaw is the legal document that implements the policies and objectives described in the Official Plan. The Zoning bylaw regulates the use and development of buildings and land by stating exactly what types of land uses are permitted in various geographic areas and by establishing precise development standards for lot size and frontage, building setbacks, the height and built form of structures, the number and dimensions of parking and loading spaces, requirements for open space, etc. The Planning Act grants the City the authority to implement land use controls through Zoning bylaws.
A Zoning map is a property map showing the zoning designation for a particular property. From this designation and other information provided on the map, you may determine the applicable Zoning provisions such as permitted use, setbacks, and parking requirements regulated for a particular address.
Individuals who wish to use, alter or develop their property in a way that does not conform with the Zoning bylaw, must apply for a site-specific amendment to the bylaw. Individuals can do this through either a Zoning bylaw Amendment application (commonly called a Rezoning) or a Minor Variance application. Rezoning is used for major revisions to the bylaw such as land use changes or significant increases in permitted building heights and development densities. Minor Variances are used for issues such as small changes to building setbacks or parking requirements.
If you are uncertain if your development project involves a rezoning or a minor variance, contact staff at your local Toronto Building customer service office. You should consider applying for a Zoning Applicable Law Certificate that will identify any features of your project that do not comply with the Zoning bylaw. In most cases, development proposals that require a Zoning bylaw amendment also require Site Plan Approval.
Related information: