What is a Zoning Bylaw?
The zoning bylaw controls land development and how it's used, including:
- lot sizes, dimension requirements and coverage
- types of buildings that are permitted and how they can be used
- where buildings and other structures can be located
- building setbacks, heights, densities, bulk, floor areas, spacing and character of buildings
- landscaped spaces and amenity areas
- parking and loading requirements
How to Search Zoning bylaw 500
Zoning Maps
Zoning maps specify the different zoning designations within the Town limits; such as:
- Residential
- Low Density Urban Residential
- Medium Density Urban Residential
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Institutional.
Rezoning
Zoning Amendment or Rezoning, is an change to the Zoning Bylaw for land-use. Rezoning allows Council to analyze the potential impacts a land-use change and subsequent development may have on the community now and in the future, as envisioned in the Official Plan (OP).
Frequently asked questions
When is a Zoning Bylaw Amendment Required?
A Zoning Bylaw amendment is required when a development proposal is not in compliance with provisions of the Zoning Bylaw and changes to components such as land use, density and parking are required for the development to proceed.
Some Rezoning applications may also require an Official Plan Amendment Application (OP). If the Rezoning application is consistent with the policies outlined in the OP, it can proceed through the process without an OP Amendment. If the Rezoning application is not consistent with the OP, it and the OP Amendment application are processed concurrently through similar processes.
A formal Public Hearing is part of the Zoning Bylaw Amendment process. Applicants must also arrange a pre-consultation application with the Town prior to submitting a zoning application.
What are Specific Use Regulations?
The Zoning Bylaw permits a number of 'specific uses,' such as accessory apartments, and home-based businesses among others. The zoning bylaw outlines regulations for these uses beyond the regular development regulations listed for each zone.
For example, in the case of bed and breakfast operations, the specific use regulations require that the operator of a bed and breakfast reside within the house where the bed and breakfast exists.
The regulations are intended to integrate the specific uses into the neighbourhoods in which they are located.