Kitchener is growing, and in order to meet the diverse needs of our community, updated zoning by-laws need to be in place. Zoning by-laws help to ensure that local land and buildings are used in ways that complement our city and support growth.
A zoning by-law is a legal document that states exactly how land can be used and where buildings and other structures can be located. It considers the types of buildings that are allowed (and how they may be used), size and dimension of lots, parking requirements, building heights and setbacks from the street.
The City's current by-law is over 30 years old and it requires an update as a result of the City's new Official Plan. As your local government, our job is to ensure land and growth is managed properly, and our zoning regulations are up to date and reflect the goals and objectives of the Official Plan. This is why the city is reviewing its zoning by-law.
Session 1 – Monday, April 15, 2019 at 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Session 2 – Monday, April 15, 2019 at 7 p.m.
If you would like to speak at the public meeting, please register for one of the two sessions in advance at www.kitchener.ca/delegations or by calling the City Clerk’s Office at 741-2200, ext. 7275. Please indicate which public meeting session number you will be attending. Written submissions can be sent to the Clerks Office, second floor, 200 King Street West, Kitchener, ON, N2G 4G7.
To find out how your property is currently zoned, or proposed to be zoned, use our interactive maps. A set of instructions is available to assist you.
View the map showing lands zoned in proposed new zoning by-law (stage 1). Lands shown on this map as ‘Areas Pending Future Zoning Review’ are not proposed to be affected by the proposed new zoning by-law at this time.
The final new Zoning By-Law and associated amendment to the City’s Official Plan was tabled at a Statutory Public Meeting held on April 30, 2018 and May 8, 2018. The purpose of those meetings was for submissions to be made directly to Council on the final by-law and Official Plan amendment. Over 110 oral and written submissions were received on the final draft. Staff reviewed the details of each and provided individual responses.
Between 2015 and 2017 a first draft of the new zoning by-law was prepared through a series of components, each focusing on different sections of the zoning bylaw. Each component was shared with residents and stakeholders in a variety of ways, including several public drop-in sessions. We've collected feedback both in person and online. The following sections provide access to the content of the first draft of the zoning bylaw that was tabled in each component.
Component A was tabled at committee of council on March 30, 2015. This component introduced the new by-law format including sections on scope, administration, interpretation, definitions and general regulations. It also introduced a first draft of several new zones and overlays including mixed use, employment, natural heritage conservation, existing use floodplain, recreation and stormwater management zones.
Component B was tabled at committee of council on May 30, 2016. This component introduced updated definitions, general regulations (including new density bonusing provisions) and transition provisions. It also introduced a first draft of new sections of the by-law including parking regulations, urban growth centre zones and major infrastructure and utility zones.
Component C was tabled at committee of council on Nov. 7, 2016. This component introduced updated definitions and general regulations. It also introduced a first draft of institutional zones.
Appendix A - zoning grid key map and zoning grid schedules 9, 10, 13, 14, 17-22, 28, 29, 31-37, 40-46, 48, 49, 65-73, 80-83, 86-88, 90-92, 108, 109, 112-115, 122-127, 129, 133, 141, 142, 145, 147, 148, 152, 153, 163-165, 172-174, 176-178, 188-194, 201-204, 211-214, 221-225, 234, 235, 237-239, 246, 261-263, 266, 267, 276-278.
Component D was tabled at committee of council on April 3, 2017. This component introduced updated definitions and general regulations. It also introduced a first draft of commercial and agriculture zones.
Appendix A - zoning grid key map and zoning grid schedules 4-5, 7, 9-14, 17, 20, 26-27, 33-35, 37, 41-44, 46-49, 51-63, 65-68, 71-72, 76, 82-83, 87-90, 92-93, 96-108, 116, 123, 138-140, 147, 156-160, 167-168, 173, 178-179, 187-189, 191-192, 194-195, 199, 206-207, 213, 219-221, 223-224, 226-228, 230-231, 238-240, 245-246, 249-250, 252-254, 261-263, 265-266, 277-279, 284-285, 288-290, 295-296.
Component E was tabled at committee of council on May 29, 2017. This component introduced updated definitions, general regulations and parking regulations. It also introduced a first draft of the framework for residential zones.
Appendix A - zoning grid key map and zoning grid schedules (this does not include the application of residential zones on any properties at this time).
In February 2019, staff proposed the further application of the new zoning to additional properties that were not covered under previous CRoZBY components.