Residents Invited to Comment on Recommended Changes to Zoning By-laws

RICHMOND HILL – The City of Richmond Hill is launching the next phase of its comprehensive review of all Zoning By-laws by hosting a series of virtual public information sessions beginning this fall.

Zoning By-laws affect everyone and all properties in the City. They regulate land use, including where buildings (e.g. houses and offices) and other structures (e.g. sheds and garages) can be located, what size they can be and how they may be used. 

Online public information centres will run from fall 2021 through early 2022. Residents can learn more about zoning issues, trends and recommended options, as well as have an opportunity to provide comments about the proposed options. Topics include:

• Community uses (e.g. community hubs, places of worship, day nurseries)
• Options for aging in place (e.g. seniors housing, retirement homes, long-term care facilities)
• Redevelopment in neighbourhoods
• Shared accommodation (e.g. renting out rooms to tenants)
• Short term accommodation (e.g. renting out an apartment for a short period of time)
• Automotive commercial-related uses (e.g. gas stations, car dealerships, repair facilities)
• Home-based business uses
• Residential accessory structures (e.g. sheds, cabanas)
• Residential parking

Event registration will open approximately two weeks before each session. Residents can subscribe to RichmondHill.ca/ZoneRH to receive notifications as more information becomes available.

Quick Facts

• As part of Council’s strategic priority to balance growth and green, the aim of this review is to establish one consolidated Zoning By-law for the whole City, which will provide a predictable zoning approach for all properties across Richmond Hill.
• This project is being undertaken concurrently with other related City initiatives, such as the Official Plan Update and the Transportation Master Plan Update to ensure that these plans and their implementations are aligned.
• In the initial phase of public engagement that took place in spring 2021, the City launched a series of surveys seeking community feedback that helped develop the recommendations that will be shared at the upcoming public information centres.

Media Contact

Lynn Chan, Communications Advisor, lynn.chan@richmondhill.ca