New Zoning By-law

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New Zoning By-law – Draft 2

DRAFT 2 PROVISIONS

  • Draft 2 of the proposed new Zoning By-law was released to the public on March 20, 2025. Click here to read or download the updated provisions in Draft 2 of the new Zoning By-law. More information on the report and supporting documents for Joint Planning and Housing and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on March 31, 2025 is available below.

MAPS

  • 3D Digital Twin Map: Interact with the proposed zoning in your neighborhood in a 3D built environment and visualize potential future development.
  • Check out geoOttawa for the citywide updated zoning map. Be sure to turn on the “New Zoning By-law DRAFT 2” option under “Zoning Resources”.
  • Interactive Draft 2 - Zoning Map: Compare existing zoning rules of the current Zoning By-law 2008-250 with the proposed Draft 2 Zoning.

CONSULTATION FOR DRAFT 2 OF THE NEW ZONING BY-LAW:

  • Document 12 – Draft 1 Consultation Summary includes information on the virtual and in-person engagement sessions held in summer and fall 2024, as well as a summary of the topics discussed at working group and advisory committee meetings including the New Zoning By-law Councillor Sponsors Group, Federation of Citizens Associations/Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association Working Group, Ambassadors Working Group, and Planning Advisory Committee.

DRAFT 2 REPORT AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

The staff report to Joint Committee and Council on Draft 2 of the new Zoning By-law can be found here. 16 supporting documents provide additional information and context on Draft 2:

FEEDBACK AND UPCOMING CONSULTATION

Comments on the proposed Draft 2 Zoning By-law can be made using the public comment form or by contacting the team at NewZoning@ottawa.ca.

Click the blue “Subscribe” button on the right to receive project updates, including information on upcoming public consultation opportunities through the spring and summer.

Both in-person and virtual events will be held in the coming months to gather feedback on Draft 2 of the new Zoning By-law.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Check out the folders in the New Zoning By-law Documents tab on the right side of this page for more information on Draft 1 of the new Zoning By-law and prior Council reports, previous consultation events and supporting materials, and classroom resources for teachers and students.


Please note that Zoning By-law 2008-250 remains in effect. The Draft 2 proposed text and new Zoning By-law Map are to be considered by the Joint Planning and Housing and Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee, and City Council.

None of the text or maps contained within these links have been implemented. This information is for consultation purposes and may change following consideration by Joint Committee and City Council and public feedback.


Honouring Statement

Ottawa is built on unceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory. The peoples of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation have lived on this territory for millennia. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. The City of Ottawa honours the peoples and land of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation. The City of Ottawa honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.


New Zoning By-law – Draft 2

DRAFT 2 PROVISIONS

  • Draft 2 of the proposed new Zoning By-law was released to the public on March 20, 2025. Click here to read or download the updated provisions in Draft 2 of the new Zoning By-law. More information on the report and supporting documents for Joint Planning and Housing and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on March 31, 2025 is available below.

MAPS

  • 3D Digital Twin Map: Interact with the proposed zoning in your neighborhood in a 3D built environment and visualize potential future development.
  • Check out geoOttawa for the citywide updated zoning map. Be sure to turn on the “New Zoning By-law DRAFT 2” option under “Zoning Resources”.
  • Interactive Draft 2 - Zoning Map: Compare existing zoning rules of the current Zoning By-law 2008-250 with the proposed Draft 2 Zoning.

CONSULTATION FOR DRAFT 2 OF THE NEW ZONING BY-LAW:

  • Document 12 – Draft 1 Consultation Summary includes information on the virtual and in-person engagement sessions held in summer and fall 2024, as well as a summary of the topics discussed at working group and advisory committee meetings including the New Zoning By-law Councillor Sponsors Group, Federation of Citizens Associations/Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association Working Group, Ambassadors Working Group, and Planning Advisory Committee.

DRAFT 2 REPORT AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

The staff report to Joint Committee and Council on Draft 2 of the new Zoning By-law can be found here. 16 supporting documents provide additional information and context on Draft 2:

FEEDBACK AND UPCOMING CONSULTATION

Comments on the proposed Draft 2 Zoning By-law can be made using the public comment form or by contacting the team at NewZoning@ottawa.ca.

Click the blue “Subscribe” button on the right to receive project updates, including information on upcoming public consultation opportunities through the spring and summer.

Both in-person and virtual events will be held in the coming months to gather feedback on Draft 2 of the new Zoning By-law.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Check out the folders in the New Zoning By-law Documents tab on the right side of this page for more information on Draft 1 of the new Zoning By-law and prior Council reports, previous consultation events and supporting materials, and classroom resources for teachers and students.


Please note that Zoning By-law 2008-250 remains in effect. The Draft 2 proposed text and new Zoning By-law Map are to be considered by the Joint Planning and Housing and Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee, and City Council.

None of the text or maps contained within these links have been implemented. This information is for consultation purposes and may change following consideration by Joint Committee and City Council and public feedback.


Honouring Statement

Ottawa is built on unceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory. The peoples of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation have lived on this territory for millennia. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. The City of Ottawa honours the peoples and land of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation. The City of Ottawa honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

  • Draft 2 Consultation Kick-off

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    The first public circulation of the draft new Zoning By-law will begin on Friday, May 2 and continue until Monday, June 30. Residents are encouraged to review the Draft 2 zoning provisions in Document 15 and Document 16 and share any comments or questions at NewZoning@ottawa.ca. Comments received before June 30 will be reviewed and considered by staff and may inform changes in the final Zoning By-law presented to Council. Staff will continue to receive and review public feedback after June 30, but it may not be possible to reflect these comments in the final draft of the new Zoning By-law.

    In-person and virtual consultation opportunities on Draft 2 of the new Zoning By-law will start soon and be held this spring. An in-person open house is scheduled for Monday, June 2 at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive. Virtual open houses will be held on Thursday, May 29 and Tuesday, June 3 from 6:30 PM – 8 PM. Registration for the virtual Open Houses will open May 15 – be sure to check back on the project’s engagement page.

    Further updates on the final draft of the New Zoning by-law and subsequent consultations will be posted on Engage Ottawa when available.


  • Draft 2 Youth Engagement

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    Youth Ottawa Workshop

    On Saturday, April 26, members of the Zoning team will attend a Youth Ottawa workshop to discuss the basics of urban planning and facilitate a hands-on zoning activity. All youth ages 15-25 are welcome to attend this event. Registration to attend the in-person workshop is available here.

    Youth Engagement and Grade 9 Curriculum Competition

    Additionally, we are excited to announce a Grade 9 curriculum competition! Classes are encouraged to utilize curriculum activities created by the Zoning By-law team and submit their projects for a chance to win a pizza party. This competition aims to engage students in urban planning and zoning concepts, fostering a deeper understanding of how these processes shape our city. The curriculum materials can be found on the Project’s engagement page under Resources for Schools & Educators.


  • Draft 2: Issues for Consultation

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    Draft 2 of the new Zoning By-law and the related staff report were received by Council on Wednesday, April 16. At this meeting, several motions and directions were brought forward to direct staff to consult on various items over the spring and summer, ahead of the final draft of the Zoning By-law to be released in September.

    Five key issues were identified during public consultation on the Draft 1 Zoning By-law provisions during 2024. The Draft 2 staff report provides potential options for these key issues:

    1. Minimum parking rates in Villages

      Draft 2 continues to require no minimum parking rates citywide. However, in Villages where personal vehicle use is more common due to limited transportation alternatives, staff have provided three potential options to introduce minimum parking requirements.

    2. Maximum building height in Suburban N1 and N2 – Neighbourhood Zones

      In Draft 1, R1 and R2 – Residential Zones were converted to N1 and N2 – Neighbourhood Zones. Building heights in N1 and N2 zones were proposed to be limited to 8.5 metres (2 storeys) citywide in Draft 1. However, R1 and R2 Zones in the Suburban Transect currently permit maximum heights of 11 metres (3 storeys). Limiting height to 8.5 metres in N1 and N2 Zones would reduce development potential from what is now permitted. Staff have presented three options to regulate N1 and N2 maximum building heights.

    3. Conversion of the R4 – Residential Zone to N4 Neighbourhood Zone

      Draft 1 of the new Zoning By-law converted R4 to N4, with a maximum permitted height of 14.5 metres (four storeys) and no limit on maximum density. Certain R4 subzones currently limit building height to 11 metres (3 storeys) and maximum densities to four, eight, or 12 units, which is closer to the proposed N3 zoning provisions than N4. In these instances, moving to the N4 zone potentially represents a notable increase in density/height, especially considering many Inner Urban R4 subzones received greater height/density permissions in 2020 through the R4 Zoning Review and amendment. Staff have provided two options to address this issue.

    4. Building height transition framework

      Draft 2 contains an updated building height transition framework to regulate the heights of buildings in mixed-use zones abutting low-rise residential areas. Staff have developed three potential options for ensuring appropriate transition between high-rise development and low-rise neighbourhoods.

    5. Communal parking lot permissions in Neighbourhood (N1-N6) Zones

      Communal parking lots in Neighbourhood Zones were permitted in Draft 1, but only within a Planned Unit Development (PUD), which is a development with more than one residential building on a lot. Both the public and Council members showed an interest in expanding these permissions, so staff have prepared four options for communal parking, which could be used in combination.

    Document 3 of the staff report goes into further detail on each issue and the potential options for implementation in the final draft of the new Zoning By-law.

  • April 16 Council Motions

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    Motions

    Three motions and three directions were approved at the Joint Planning and Housing and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees meeting on March 31. Two motions and two directions were approved at the Council meeting on April 16.

    These items include direction to staff to review and consider various topics while preparing Draft 3 of the new Zoning By-law. As directed by the Joint Committee and Council, staff will be:

    • Performing a review of Neighbourhood zoning in Stittsville to explore converting properties zoned N1E to N1D
    • Considering the outcome of the Heritage Conservation District Feasibility Assessment in the Beaverbrook neighbourhood when preparing Draft 3.
    • Examining the feasibility of a requirement for permeable surface materials for all new front yard parking and communal parking areas.
    • Considering parking solutions for new development in Villages, such as communal parking or a parking permit system.
    • Evaluating the impact of introducing a minimum parking rate higher than one space per dwelling unit in new ground-oriented subdivision developments in Villages.
    • On Issue 1: Minimum Parking Rates for Villages, implementing Option 3 to introduce parking minimums in Village Residential Zones 1-3 in Draft 3, to be released in September.


    Staff will also consult on various items during the upcoming engagement events this spring on several new options for the key issues identified in Document 3 of the Draft 2 staff report.

    • On Issue 2: Maximum Building Height in N1 and N2 – Neighbourhood Zones, an additional Option 4 will be developed to permit 11 metre heights in N1 and N2 zones and delete height suffixes for heights lower than 11 metres, except where specified in a Secondary Plan.
    • On Issue 3: Conversion of the R4 zone to N4 zone in the draft Zoning By-law, an additional Option 3 will be developed by modifying Option 2 to remove the first bullet which maintains a maximum height of 11 metres for buildings that are currently zoned R4 with this height limit.
    • On Issue 4: Building Height Transition Framework, Option 4 will be developed to introduce limits on as-of-right maximum building heights based on distance from rapid transit stations in the suburban Transect. These limits would be below the 90 metres, or 27 storeys, proposed by staff.
    • On Issue 4: Building Height Transition Framework, Option 5 will introduce an as-of-right maximum building height of 30 storeys plus investigation on lowering the transition area below the 30 metres proposed by staff.
    • On Issue 5: Communal Parking Lot Permissions in Neighbourhood (N1-N6) Zones, staff will be consulting on a transect-based approach for communal parking permissions.

    These additional options on the key issues presented in Document 3 will be consulted on during the in-person and virtual consultation this spring, and a survey to be released in the coming months.

  • Staff Report for New Zoning By-law – Draft 2

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    The New Zoning By-law – Draft 2 staff report and supporting documents are now available on the City’s meeting agenda page. The report will be considered at a Joint Planning and Housing and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee meeting on Monday, March 31. Members of the public can provide written comments or register to speak at Joint Committee by contacting the Committee Coordinator, listed on the committee agenda.

    Draft 1 of the new Zoning By-law was presented in April 2024, followed by virtual and in-person consultation events through the summer and fall of 2024. This feedback informed the updated Zoning By-law provisions presented in the Draft 2 report and the revised zoning map.

    If you have any questions or comments on Draft 2, please contact the new Zoning By-law project team via NewZoning@ottawa.ca. Public engagement on Draft 2 will occur this spring, including virtual and in-person consultation events. Stay tuned for more information on these opportunities!

    The final version of the new Zoning By-law, Draft 3, will be presented later this year for Council approval.

  • New Zoning By-law - Draft 1

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    New Zoning By-law – Draft 1

    Explore the New Zoning By-law:

    • The Story Behind the Review - Ottawa is Ready for a New Zoning By-law: Learn about the draft Zoning By-law and the new Neighbourhood Zone replacing Residential Zones
    • DRAFT 1 - NEW ZONING BY-LAW TEXT

      • Draft 1 of the proposed New Zoning By-law was released to the public on April 29, 2024. To read or download the draft Zoning By-law click here.

    Maps:

    The staff report to Council on the first draft of the zoning can be found here. Included attachments:

    Comments on the proposed Draft 1 Zoning By-law can be made directly using the public comment form, or by emailing the project email address newzoning@ottawa.ca.

    Resources for Schools:

  • Release of Draft 2 of the New Zoning By-law

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    The City of Ottawa new Zoning By-law project team is pleased to announce that there will be a Joint Committee meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee and the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee on March 31, 2025. This meeting represents a significant step in developing our new zoning by-law, which aims to shape our city's future growth and development.

    The staff report and the second draft of the proposed new zoning by-law will be made available to the public on the City of Ottawa’s committee and Council eScribe on March 20, 2025. We encourage all residents, stakeholders, and interested parties to review these documents in preparation for the upcoming discussions.

  • Q4 2024 – New Zoning By-law Review Status Update

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    The new Zoning By-law review project is submitting an IPD to the December 04, 2024 Planning and Housing Committee. The IPD provides updates on key issues identified during public consultations on the draft Zoning By-law and presents options to address them. Staff have developed several options that could help resolve each key issue identified. Further details concerning the issues and associated options will be formally presented to Council as part of the release of the second draft of the new Zoning By-law in March 2025. The six key issues identified to-date include concerns about:

    • removing minimum parking rates in villages
    • carrying forward maximum driveway width provisions in the rural transect
    • setting an 8.5-metre building height in all N1 and N2 zones in all transects
    • converting the R4 zone to N4 zone and the potential for unanticipated density increases
    • determining proposed zoning based on existing zoning without enough consideration for Official Plan policies
    • achieving appropriate building-height transitions

    The memo also summarizes comments received during the virtual open houses conducted in August and September, as well as outlines next steps for the project.

  • 3D Digital Twin & Fall Consultation Continues

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    Fall In-Person New Zoning By-law Workshops Continue

    The new Zoning By-law project continues to host in-person workshops on the new zoning by-law. Following the summer virtual information sessions, the fall workshops provide an opportunity to discuss the Zoning By-law review with members of the zoning team.

    There are three workshops remaining, each starting at 6:30 pm and continuing until 8:00 pm. The upcoming workshops will be held at:

    • October 15 – Fred Barrett Arena
    • October 22 – City Hall
    • November 5 – Confederation Education Centre

    What to Expect:

    • Display Board Exhibition – Dive into the basics of zoning and key concepts of the proposed By-law. This is your chance to ask questions and get informed.
    • Roundtable Discussions – Engage in intensive discussions on various topics with planners and fellow residents.
    • No Registration Required – Simply show up and participate.

    New 3D Digital Twin Map

    We are thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking tool as part of the new Zoning By-law review: the 3D Digital Twin Map. This innovative map is designed to transform how residents and planners visualize zoning changes across Ottawa. With the 3D Digital Twin Map, users can view both the proposed new Zoning By-law zoning and the current (2008-250) Zoning By-law zoning. This dual-view feature ensures that you can easily compare and understand the proposed changes.

    This map is the first release from the City’s Digital Twin Project, with future iterations to be integrated into the upcoming new Zoning By-law.

    What is a 3D Digital Twin?

    A 3D digital twin is a highly detailed, interactive digital replica of physical assets—in this case, the buildings and infrastructure of Ottawa. This technology allows users to explore the city in a virtual environment, providing a comprehensive view of current and proposed zoning regulations. For more information on the Digital Twin Project, refer to the January 21, 2024, Meeting of Planning and Housing Committee Minutes and the accompanying media release.

    Other Visualization Tools

    In addition to the new 3D Digital Twin Map, you can still view a side-by-side comparison of existing and proposed zoning using our sliding interactive zoning map. You can also view the proposed zoning as a layer on the City’s GeoOttawa webpage.

  • Fall In-Person Workshops

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    Fall In-Person Workshops!

    This fall, join us for a series of in-person workshops to discuss Ottawa’s New Zoning By-Law. These workshops are designed to engage the community, gather valuable feedback, and ensure that our new Zoning By-law reflects the Official Plan and the needs and aspirations of all residents. Your participation is crucial in shaping the future of our city!

    Here’s what you can expect:

    • Display Board Exhibition – dive into the basics of zoning and key concepts of the proposed By-law. This is your chance to ask questions and get informed.
    • Roundtable Discussions – engage in intensive discussions on various topics with planners and fellow residents.

    Five opportunities to participate:

    All in-person workshops will start at 6:30 pm.

    1. October 1 – Ray Friel Recreation Complex
    2. October 8 – John G Mlacak Community Centre
    3. October 15 – Fred Barrett Arena
    4. October 22 – City Hall
    5. November 5 – Confederation Education Centre
Page last updated: 30 Apr 2025, 11:03 AM