In response to Toronto’s housing crisis, the City of Toronto is working to preserve and create new options for how and where people live as our city grows, ages and evolves. The City is taking coordinated, citywide action to address the housing crisis by updating planning rules and enabling more homes to be built in more places.
There are many projects currently underway that address or update policy and zoning with the aim of creating a diverse range and mix of housing options to accommodate people at all stages of life and to accommodate the needs of all household sizes and incomes.
Get more information on building garden suites, using certified plans for laneway and garden suites, as well as ongoing monitoring work.
Learn more about permitting multiplexes, residential buildings containing up to four units, across Toronto’s low-rise neighbourhoods.
Everything you need to know about permissions for low-rise apartment buildings and townhouses in areas designated Neighbourhoods by the Official Plan.
Small-scale retail, service and office uses support daily life in Neighbourhoods and encourage complete, connected communities, contributing to amenity, sustainability, equity, diversity and vitality.
As part of the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods initiative, the City of Toronto is investigating ways to support the preservation and growth of these uses for existing and future residents of the City’s designated Neighbourhoods.
Learn more about local retail in neighbourhoods.
Incorporating some low-rise residential areas that that are not currently subject to the city-wide Zoning By-law, into Zoning By-law 569-2013 will ensure the consistent and equitable application of initiatives such as the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods and parking requirements.
Browse the Housing Action Plan action items that relate to relate to policies, zoning, and guidelines for Avenues, Mixed-Use Areas, and Mid-rise buildings.
The Avenues Policy Review is now in Phase Two. Its goal is to provide as-of-right permissions for mid-rise buildings along the city’s Avenues to foster more opportunities for housing, services and local businesses.
Starting with an Initial Study of Ward 11 (University-Rosedale) and Ward 9 (Davenport), staff will report to City Council with recommended Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments to facilitate these permissions.
To learn more and get involved, visit the Avenues Policy Review webpage.
Adopted by the Planning and Housing Committee on December 5, 2024, the Mid-Rise Building Design Guidelines are now being used to evaluate new mid-rise development proposals. These city-wide guidelines provide a framework to ensure new mid-rise buildings are well-designed and fit appropriately into their surrounding context.
City Planning is continuing to seek feedback from the public and stakeholders on the guidelines throughout 2025. For more information and to get involved, visit the Mid-Rise Building Design Guidelines webpage.
The Unlocking Mid-Rise Mechanics Study was initiated in Summer 2025 following the adoption of the Missing Middle and Midrise Housing Implementation Initiative (See Agenda Item History - 2025.PH23.6 and Staff Report). This inter-divisional Study will review:
This review is being undertaken to to identify potential changes to City policies, standards and/or regulations that may improve the overall viability and feasibility of mid-rise development and deliver new housing.
This Study will also further analyze the viability and feasibility of mid-rise modular housing buildings.
Read about the potential changes to Zoning By-law 569-2013 which aims to remove barriers, ease administration and enable the creation of more housing, such as moving towards a more form-based approach to land use regulation that focuses on the external characteristics of a building.
Unlocking additional housing on existing apartment tower sites by simplifying the approval process for apartment infill applications.
Development proposing to demolish or convert rental housing on sites with six or more residential units require approval under the City’s Rental Demolition and Conversion Control By-law. Through its review of development applications, the City implements policies related to replacement of existing rental housing and assistance for tenants impacted by redevelopment.
Browse the Housing Policy webpage for ongoing housing policy and research work, rental replacement information, and the City’s current affordable and mid-range rents.