How does zoning work?

The City is divided into zones, where different land uses are permitted.  These zones are set out in the zoning by-law.  There are zones for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, rural and other uses. 

Each zone sets out the specific uses that are permitted within the zone and the standards for:

• minimum lot areas and frontages,
• setbacks from lot lines,
• maximum building heights and
• lot coverage.

There are also general provisions in the Zoning By-law that can apply across most or all zones such as landscaped area requirements and the amount of parking required for a use.