Terms of Reference: Upcoming and Recent Changes

Effective: June 2, 2026

In response to Bill 98 (2026) and additional efforts to streamline TGS implementation, changes have been made to the TGS requirements for applications submitted after June 2, 2026. For new Site Plan Applications some Tier 1 performance measures have shifted from mandatory to voluntary. The following Terms of Reference have been updated to adjust TGS references and reflect these changes:

• Arborist Report
• Energy Modeling Guidelines
• Floor Plan
• Roof Plan
• Toronto Green Standards Checklist
• Transportation Impact Study
• Tree Protection Plan

For details, refer to Staff Report Item 2026 PH31.12 and the Toronto Green Standard Version 4 webpage.

Updated: August 24, 2026

The Guidelines for the Preparation of Transportation Impact Studies has been updated to reflect current City Official Plan transportation policy direction and the dynamic landscape of Toronto’s streetscape and road user habits. The updated Guidelines continue to incorporate the latest methodologies, practices, and tools to analyze transportation impacts at City intersections and within its corridors. Key changes include:

• Direct alignment with relevant and related City plans, policies, and guidelines aimed at successful integration of developments into the public realm, with a primary focus on the safety and mobility for vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.
• Inclusion of Appendix B: Required Reporting Checklist and Data Tables:
  1. An itemized checklist for applicants to note how each requirement is met based on the application type; and
  2. A table for direct reporting of key figures related to the development for ongoing internal tracking purposes
• Inclusion of Appendix C: Travel Demand Management Framework:
  1. A Framework to clarify and standardize expectations for preparing and evaluating Travel Demand Management (TDM) Plans as part of the existing Transportation Impact Study (TIS) requirements; and
  2. Establishment of a points-based system, allowing applicants to select from a set of defined TDM measures (with assigned point values) to meet minimum requirements, while maintaining flexibility to respond to site-specific conditions.
  3. Note: The Framework does not introduce new application requirements or expand the types of development applications requiring TDM Plans. It formalizes and clarifies existing expectations to improve consistency and predictability in the development review process.
• Removal of ambiguity in language of reporting where appropriate.

The Guidelines for the Preparation of Transportation Impact Studies 2026 (Guidelines) supersede the Guidelines for the Preparation of Transportation Impact Studies 2013. This change is effective immediately.

Updated: April 13, 2026

A Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report (CHER) Terms of Reference has been added to the Terms of Reference page as a standalone requirement separate from a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA). The CHER will inform the City’s decision on whether a property meets provincial criteria for designation to protect a property’s cultural heritage value or whether an application can be cleared of heritage interest. An HIA will also be required as a separate, additional submission if the CHER identifies that a property meets the criteria under O. Reg 9/06 for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. For additional details, refer to the Terms of Reference for the CHER and the HIA.

Updated: March 26, 2026

Draft zoning by-law amendment templates have been updated to reflect various changes to the Zoning By-law and to align with best practices. Updates include standardized language addressing recent regulation changes, standardized language on specific matters that were previously absent, the removal of unnecessary or outdated language, and more precise language where appropriate. Note: These updates to the templates are not exhaustive in reflecting all recent changes to the Zoning By-law; from time-to-time, future updates will be posted on this page.

Updated March 5, 2026

An affidavit template to confirm the tenure of a residential building has been uploaded in the Housing Issues Report Terms of Reference section. The affidavit is not a requirement of a Housing Issues Report but is intended to help support the review of Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment applications that result in the demolition of residential buildings and may be required as part of a submission of a Rental Housing Demolition application.

Updated March 23, 2026

The Project Data Sheet (PDS) Terms of Reference now clarifies that the file must be submitted in its original, unflattened PDF format. This change is effective immediately.