Zone Richmond Hill

Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25

On September 24, 2025, Council passed the City’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25 (CZBL 93-25) to regulate the use of lands and the location of buildings and structures within the City of Richmond Hill.

CZBL 93-25 is currently under appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). The first Case Management Conference (CMC) for the CZBL 93-25 appeals was held on April 16, 2026. The Tribunal’s Memorandum of Oral Decision and Order dated April 30, 2026, arising from this CMC is available here. The second CMC is scheduled to be held on June 10, 2026.

For zoning inquiries or information related to CZBL 93-25, please contact the Building Division or submit the Request for Zoning By-law Information form.

For other general questions on the CZBL 93-25, please contact Development Zoning.

Office Consolidation - April 22, 2026

The City has prepared an office consolidation of Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25 for convenience purposes only.

The April 22, 2026, Office Consolidation includes:

By-law 93-25 as adopted by Council on September 24, 2025;

Technical corrections and revisions in accordance with Section 1.7(4) of the CZBL; and,

By-laws amending CZBL 93-25 passed by Council with no appeals or approved by the OLT as of April 22, 2026.

CZBL (April 22, 2026, Office Consolidation)

CZBL 93-25 April 22, 2026, Office Consolidation – Sections

CZBL 93-25 April 22, 2026, Office Consolidation – Schedules & Overlays

CZBL Mapping Application

The CZBL Mapping Application is an easy-to-use, interactive tool that provides zoning information for properties across Richmond Hill. It allows users to view how the City’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25 applies to different areas.

This tool is intended to help residents, property and business owners and development professionals to quickly access relevant zoning information and requirements to support their business and development decisions. The application is provided for information purposes only and not intended as a substitute for formal zoning confirmation. For legal copies of zoning by-laws, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.

Interactive CZBL Mapping Application

2026 Comprehensive Zoning By-law Update

The City is updating the Comprehensive Zoning By-law to implement the proposed changes to the 2010 Richmond Hill Official Plan through the City-initiated Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 18.9 in accordance with the Planning Act. If adopted by Council, the proposed zoning amendment implementing OPA 18.9 is anticipated to come into force and effect at the same time as OPA 18.9 comes into force and effect in accordance with Section 34 of the Planning Act.

2026 Housekeeping Update

The City is continuously improving and so is the Zoning By-law. To help make the Comprehensive Zoning By-law clearer and more consistent for everyone, the City is proposing some housekeeping changes.

Draft Amendment to Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25

Public Information and Meeting Schedule

A Public Open House will take place on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the M.L. McConaghy Seniors’ Centre (10100 Yonge Street). This event will provide information about the proposed amendments and give members of the public an opportunity to review the materials and ask questions.
A Council Public Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the City of Richmond Hill Municipal Offices (225 East Beaver Creek Road, First Floor). This Public Meeting is being held to inform members of the public and receive comments on the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment to Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25.

How to Participate

Attend the Public Open House and/or Council Public Meeting
Provide written correspondence or comments regarding the Zoning By-law Amendment to City Clerks. Please specify City File: MZBA-26-0001
Make a delegation at the Council Public Meeting
Email City Clerks to request to be added on the contact list for public notices and notifications

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Comprehensive Zoning By-law?

The City’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law (CZBL) is a set of rules that regulate how land and buildings can be used and developed in Richmond Hill subject to Section 34 of the Planning Act. It implements the land use policies from the Richmond Hill Official Plan at an individual property level.

The CZBL regulates:

how you can use your property (e.g. homes, offices, shops, factories)
where on your property a building can be built
the general size and height of a building
what types of businesses and activities are permitted within a building
how much parking on your property is required

It is not about:

users of lands or buildings as groups of people
licensing and permits
property maintenance and general upkeep
how a building is constructed and detailed appearance
public street parking requirements

What is the purpose of Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25?

The primary purpose of a Zoning By-law is to implement the vision and policies of the City’s Official Plan, as amended, in a legally enforceable manner.

How does Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25 impact me and my property?

Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25 outlines requirements such as lot size and dimensions, permitted uses, building height, setbacks and intensity of development. It also includes standards for landscaping and parking.

Use the CZBL Mapping Application to find out how the CZBL applies to your property.

When will the Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25 become in force and effect?

Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25 is currently under appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and is expected to come into force and effect for the majority of Richmond Hill once the appeals have been scoped or resolved (OLT File OLT-25-000843).

I would like to develop my property, and I may need to seek relief from the Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25. What do I need to do?

If your proposal requires a significant change to zoning requirements, it is strongly encouraged to submit a Pre-Submission Meeting prior to filing a Zoning By-law Amendment application to the City’s Development Planning Division for consideration and a decision by Council.

If your proposal involves minor changes to your current property, you may need to submit a Minor Variance application to the Committee of Adjustment.

You may also need to seek relief from the applicable former zoning by-law until Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25 is in force and effect.

For questions or more information about zoning standards and how they apply to your property, please contact the Building Division.

I recently obtained a planning/building approval for my proposed development. How does the CZBL impact the entitlements I already obtained?

Your application may be eligible to proceed in accordance with the transition provisions in Section 1.12 of Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25. These provisions set out how existing approvals and applications in process are treated during the transition to the new by-law. Lands subject to CZBL 93-25, as amended, may also continue to be subject to other applicable zoning by-laws during this transition period, in accordance with Section 1.12. Please contact the Building Division to confirm how the transition provisions apply to your specific property and approvals.

My property has been identified as excluded from the CZBL. What does this mean?

If your property is not subject to Comprehensive Zoning By-law 93-25, it remains regulated by other applicable zoning by-laws. To review current applicable zoning by-laws, refer to the Zoning Index map or contact the Building Division.

How do I obtain a copy of a site-specific amending by-law?

For zoning information and interpretations, please fill out this online form and/or contact the Building Division.

For legal copies of zoning by-laws, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.

Appendix

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