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.

Garden & Laneway Suites

Get more information on building garden suites, using certified plans for laneway and garden suites, as well as ongoing monitoring work.

Multiplex Housing

Learn more about permitting multiplexes, residential buildings containing up to four units, across Toronto’s low-rise neighbourhoods.

  • Multiplexes within low-rise neighbourhoods create a way to spread growth across the city, instead of concentrated in certain areas.
  • In north Scarborough we’ve increased the number of homes allowed in a multiplex building from four to six units as a first step before potentially implementing them city-wide.

Major Streets Study

Everything you need to know about permissions for low-rise apartment buildings and townhouses in areas designated Neighbourhoods by the Official Plan.

Local Neighbourhood Retail & Services

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 neighbourbhoods.

Incorporating Low-rise Residential Areas into the Zoning By-law

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.

Learn how zoning changes will expand housing options.

Avenues, Mid-rise and Mixed Use Areas Study

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.

Find the latest updates for Mid-Rise Building Design Guidelines and related study information.

Zoning By-law Simplification and Modernization for Low-rise Residential Zones

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.

Apartment Infill Study

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.