The City has a new Official Plan and now a new Zoning By-law is needed to implement that Plan.
The Official Plan sets out directions for how to manage growth and change in neighbourhoods and how the City will respond to issues such as climate change and affordable housing. The new Zoning By-law will help implement these directions by providing rules for what can be built on every property in Ottawa.
The Zoning By-law sets out rules for:
- How tall buildings can be
- Where different types of housing and businesses are permitted
- How much soft landscaping and space for trees is required
- Where parking spaces can be located
Open houses
We have scheduled three in person open houses this September to help you learn what zoning means, understand how the new Zoning By-law is related to the Official Plan, and receive a high-level overview of key zoning topics:
- September 16 - Nepean Sportsplex: 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
- September 20 - City Hall (Jean Pigott Place): 5:30 to 7:30 pm
- September 23 - Ray Friel Recreation Complex: 2:30 to 5:00 pm
A virtual open house will be hosted at the end of September. Stay tuned for more details.
You can find more information about the new Zoning By-law(link is external) and the Official Plan(link is external), and recent Provincial changes to the Planning Act(link is external), at engage.ottawa.ca(link is external).
Want to learn even more?
Read the discussion paper and complete the survey about Form and Function. This paper examines how to ensure that all of the essential functions on residential lots can be accommodated, including waste storage, bicycle parking, space for trees and outdoor amenity areas. Making rules for neighbourhoods involves finding a balance among all these different things so that the quality and quantity of housing we need can be achieved.
This is just the latest in a series of discussion papers about key issues, including:
- Climate change, resiliency and public health
- Neighbourhood character
- Rural zones
- Equity, diversion and inclusion
- How zoning can regulate trees
The comments received from all surveys will inform the development of the first draft of the new Zoning By-law in early 2024.
