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What are Ontario's zoning bylaws?

If you're thinking of buying property and building, one of the most important things you want to look into is how the zoning by-laws are going to impact that property. These laws dictate how you are allowed to use the land. For instance, they tell you if the property can be used for a residential housing project or if it can be used for a business. There are areas that are zoned for both, but most areas fall into one category or the other. You must know which category the property fits into before you buy it or you could be stuck with land that you can't use as intended.

Zoning by-laws in Ontario don't stop at just land usage regulations, however. They also tell you where you can put structures on that property. You may have to be a certain distance from the property line or a water source, for instance.

On top of that, the laws will tell you what kinds of buildings you are even allowed to build. This often comes into play for commercial projects, which utilize warehouses, factories, storefronts, garages and many other types of buildings. However, it could impact a housing plan, as well. It also comes into play for mixed-use buildings.

Finally, in addition to telling you how far you must stay from the street, the laws could tell you what requirements have been set for parking and exactly how high your building can be. You must adhere to these regulations before you will be given a building permit.

Make sure you know all of the by-laws in Ontario before your project begins.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, "What is a zoning by-law?," accessed May 1, 2015

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Yigal Rifkind, Barrister & Solicitor Attorney

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