Zoning By-law Review

The Municipality of Port Hope is undertaking a review of its Zoning By-law (ZBL) to implement a number of 'housekeeping' revisions. This update will ensure that the Zoning By-law continues to effectively implement the priorities of the Municipality and community, is consistent with other Municipal documents, and is easy to understand and interpret.

In early 2022, staff and Meridian Consulting elected to separate the Zoning By-law Review into two components: (1) Additional Residential Units (ARUs) and (2) the balance of the proposed changes. This is a modified approach to the original project timeline.

Component 1 of the Zoning By-law Review is only the amendments that deal with ARUs:

• Additional Residential Units (ARUs) - A Memo (see Important ARU Documents panel) was prepared that focuses on Additional Residential Units in the Municipality. The current ZBL identifies ARUs as ‘accessory dwelling units’, permits 1 per property in the Residential zones and includes other provisions that apply. Some of the current ZBL provisions that apply contradict with the Regulations for Bill 108, such as those that apply to parking and accessory dwelling units. The Memo provides recommendations for ARUs in the Urban Area and the Rural Area.

At the Council Meeting on July 5, 2022, Council approved the staff recommended amendments to the Zoning By-law and the Official Plan pertaining to ARUs.

Component 2 of the Zoning By-law Review deals with other housing topics, Rural Economic Development and Technical Issues as identified in the Background Report:

• Housing issues - Secondary suites, affordable housing, tiny houses, shared housing, residential hospice and reducing parking requirements for multi-unit housing.
• Rural economic development - On-farm diversified uses, cannabis, and commercial greenhouses.
• Technical improvements - Mapping updates, parking provisions for certain uses, height of accessory structures, diagrams and other technical updates to improve clarity.

At the Council Meeting on July 4, 2023, Council approved the staff recommended amendments to the Zoning By-law pertaining to the housekeeping amendments. There were no appeals received during the appeal period and the amended By-law 31-2023 is in effect and binding.

Additional Information

If you require any of these documents in an accessible format please contact our planning department. For general information regarding our current Zoning By-law, please visit Planning and Development - Zoning.