Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review

The Town of Whitby is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the Zoning By-law. The review will look at all properties in Whitby, including residential, commercial and industrial properties and the resulting new zoning by-law will provide a way for the Town to manage land use and future development.

Overview

In 2018, the Town completed an update to the Official Plan. As a result, we are looking to create a new zoning by-law that:

Implements regional and provincial policies
Aligns with the Town's Official Plan
Reflects current zoning practices
Is web-based, user friendly and easy to read

Check out our video for more details.

Give your input

Are you interested in providing feedback on the new zoning by-law? We will begin public consultations in the spring of 2021.

Join our mailing list

By signing up, you will receive notifications for all public consultation meetings.

Project timeline

Review the proposed timeline for the Zoning By-law review:

2020 – engage a consultant to lead the project and complete background studies, analysis and strategic direction
2021 to 2023 – develop a draft by-law and complete community consultations and refinement
2024 – adopt updated Zoning By-law

Project updates

Please watch our news and notices, and Connect Whitby engagement platform for updates on project events and on how to get involved as the project proceeds.

You can also send your comments to inthezone@whitby.ca.

Frequently asked questions

View the frequently asked questions about the zoning by-law review.

What is a zoning by-law?

A zoning by-law sets out the rules for how we develop and use land. The by-law tells us:

What a property can be used for (e.g., commercial or residential)
Minimum lot sizes
Where buildings can be placed (distance between edge of property and building)
How tall, what size, and how many buildings can be built (including rules for accessory structures like sheds and gazebos)
How many parking spaces are needed, and where the parking spaces can be located

What are some of the different types of zoning for land?

Here are some of the common zones in the Town of Whitby:

Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Agricultural
Environmental
Institutional
Open Space (includes parks)

What types of properties will the zoning review look at?

The zoning by-law review will look at each property in the Town to determine if the current zone and rules are still appropriate. This includes residential, commercial and industrial land uses in Whitby.

When was the existing by-law established?

The Town has three Zoning By-laws that all predate the approval of the Region and Town Official Plans:

Zoning By-laws 1784 and 2585 were approved in the 1960s
Zoning By-law 5581-05 for lands in the Oak Ridges Moraine was approved in 2006