Zone Richmond Hill

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The City of Richmond Hill is undertaking a comprehensive review of all the in force Zoning By-laws. It is the intent that the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review will culminate in one document that will establish "as-of-right" permissions for all properties in the City and enable residents and landowners to develop their lands in a predictable and consistent manner. The new Zoning By-law will:

Conform to the policies and provisions of the City's Official Plan;
Provide for a consistent and predictable approach to similar land uses on a City-wide basis;
Reflect modern development trends and standards
Provide for appropriate protection for stable neighbourhoods and sensitive areas; and
Provide for ease of administration and increased accessibility to the public in a readily available and easily understood web-based format.

Zoning By-laws affect all properties in Richmond Hill and ensure that development occurs in a responsible and predictable manner.

What is a Zoning By-law?

Zoning By-laws regulate:

Types of uses that can occur on individual properties;
Minimum lot frontages and lot sizes;
Size, height and location of buildings and structures that can be located on a property;
Amount of landscaping and amenity spaces required on a property;
Amount of parking and loading spaces required based on the type of use; and
Use of contaminated lands, sensitive or vulnerable areas, natural features and areas.

How Can I Participate?

Fill out the Zone Richmond Hill Comment Form
Submit comments through email or contact us at 905-771-2412
Sign up to receive notifications
Check the City's calendar for upcoming events

Project Timeline

Zone Richmond Hill will take place in four phases.

Phase 1 - Background Research

Research existing Zoning By-laws and related documents as they presently apply to properties in the City:

Undertake a background review to understand the state of the City's existing Zoning By-laws;
Undertake an existing zoning and land use analysis;
Analyzing opportunities for innovation including new zoning mapping tools and methods to support the Official Plan vision;
Undertake Building Typology studies; and
Seek stakeholder consultation through staff reports, presentations and workshops.

Phase 2 - Strategic Directions

Seek direction from Council on the development of the new Comprehensive Zoning By-law:

Prepare draft Strategic Direction Report(s) based on background information compiled in Phase 1;
Obtain stakeholder and Council feedback and utilize these comments in developing the final Strategic Directions Report(s), including public workshops and presentations to the business and building groups and organizations; and
Updates and development of Infill Studies and Urban Design Guidelines will be developed during this phase and will include stakeholder engagement through public workshops.

Phase 3 - Development of New By-law

Draft the new Comprehensive Zoning By-law document, including structure and content:

Prepare the Key Directions Reports, Individual Discussion Papers and Digital Visualization Tool for the various components of the City's new Comprehensive Zoning By-law;
Prepare the draft Comprehensive Zoning By-law and arrange stakeholder workshops/open houses to obtain input on the various components of the draft Zoning By-law; and
Prepare a User's Guide on how to read and use the draft Zoning By-law and release as part of this stage.

Phase 4 - Approval of New By-law

Approval and Implementation of the new Comprehensive Zoning By-law

Submit a final draft of the new Comprehensive Zoning By-law and a draft of the Digital Visualization Tools through the Statutory Council Public Meeting;
Arrange stakeholder meetings following the Council Public meeting to discuss further issues that may arise during Phases 1 through 4;
Submit final draft of the new Comprehensive Zoning By-law for Council approval;
Update a series of complimentary implementation tools including existing City rules, regulations and standards; and
Submit an Implementation Tools Report to Council in tandem with the final draft of the Zoning By-law for approval.

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Zone Richmond Hill

What is a Zoning By-law?

How Can I Participate?

Project Timeline

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