Zoning

Zoning by-laws state the provisions that regulate the use, size, height, density and location of buildings on properties within a region, city or town.  The main purpose of zoning by-laws is to regulate the type and size of building that can be built on a property.

Zoning by-laws consist of 3 main components:

maps: number of storeys and metres are the most common features of any zoning by-law; they indicate where particular standards apply
words: the “language” unique to each by-law

numbers: establish… 

• the size of a building, usually shown as floor area or density ratio, e.g.,  the Floor Space Index
• the height of the building in storeys or metres
• the setbacks determine the distance that the building must be from the front, side and back of the property lines the amount of parking spaces to be provided