The Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review project assesses current zoning approaches, regulations and practices in Brampton, and prepares for a new set of regulations and rules that meets the needs today and into the future.
The project was originally launched in December 2016. It has been on paused since 2019 to prioritize the development of a new Official Plan (Brampton Plan). The key reasons behind this decision were that the new comprehensive zoning by-law is to be consistent with provincial planning legislations and conform to provincial policies and plans and the Official Plan. Brampton Plan was approved by City Council on November 1st, 2023, and received approval with modifications from the Region of Peel on May 16th, 2024.
Despite how much zoning literally shape our communities and city, the current comprehensive zoning by-law has not been significantly overhauled since the 1970s/1980s. Brampton had four separate former zoning by-laws that were in effect prior to amalgamation of four Brampton's founding communities in 1974, and a consolidation was undertaken in 2004 with only minor modifications and updates.
As the fourth largest single- or lower-tier municipality in Ontario by population today, Brampton is facing very different planning and growth management challenges, with types of buildings and uses that were not necessarily contemplated prior to amalgamation.
Almost half a century later, it is high time for Brampton to have a new Comprehensive Zoning By-law that is equipped to take on the city-building opportunities and challenges Brampton faces today and in the future.
Project Goals
The New Comprehensive Zoning By-law will be effective, efficient and equitable, and it will also:
- Meet the new planning legislations and regulation requirements and legal principles.
- Implement directions and policies in the new Brampton Plan and the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund Agreement action items as related to zoning matters.
- Expand housing options, and support business opportunities and economic development in Brampton through zoning reform.
- Simply and modernize zoning regulations and development standards to minimize confusion or ambiguity.
- Improve access to zoning information, including the new zoning by-law and its contents, for all users so that the zoning information and document are user-friendly.
- Be future-ready.
Project Status
The Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review project was first launched in December 2016. The project has three overall phases:
- Project Initiation and Background Review
- Drafting and Refining the New Comprehensive Zoning By-law
- Council Adoption and Implementation
Before the project hiatus in 2019, a series of background reports, technical papers and strategy reports were prepared in draft form.
- A Public Open House was held on November 29th, 2017 to introduce and present the draft Zoning Issues and Analysis Report.
- Another Public Open House was held on November 8th, 2018 to present the draft Technical Papers and draft Zoning Strategy Report.
Since the project was relaunched in late 2022, the City has released the First Preliminary Draft in November 2023 and the Second Draft in September 2024. The City has been hosting a variety of community pop-ups across Brampton and two public open houses (virtually in February 2024, in-person in September 2024) to engage and consult with members of the public.
New Project Updates & Upcoming Events
Who are involved with the project?
WSP Canada Group Limited was retained by the City as the Lead Consultant to advance the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review project to ensure synergies with the City's Official Plan Review. This includes developing and preparing a new Comprehensive Zoning By-law.
WSP and the City have been working with technical staff, external city-building partners and other key stakeholders to prepare a variety of research and discussion papers.
Residents, property owners, the development industry, and other members of the public are also important part of the conversation.
Public open houses were held in 2017 and 2018 when the public was invited to participate. Additional Public Open Houses and the statutory Public Meeting will be held throughout 2024.
The City will continue to keep the public and other stakeholders informed of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review project, and gather input and feedback on the new By-law.
