On January 28th Council approved a new Zoning By-law, the most housing-friendly in Ottawa’s history. This by-law puts into practice the policies of the Official Plan we approved in 2021 and is a big step toward making housing more affordable, supporting responsible growth, and planning for the population increases our city will see in the years ahead.
This by-law is the result of over five years of consultation with residents and community groups. It simplifies zoning rules, reduces unnecessary barriers to development, and ensures that new housing happens in the right places, close to transit, in urban areas, and where we have the infrastructure to support it.
Some of the key changes include:
- Clearer rules for mid and high-rise buildings near transit.
- More flexibility to gently increase density in existing neighbourhoods.
- Expanded opportunities for missing-middle housing, modular homes, and prefabricated buildings.
- New permissions to encourage seniors’ housing and larger family-sized units.
- More straightforward parking rules, letting the market guide demand.
The by-law also supports Ottawa’s economy by simplifying commercial zones, making it easier for small businesses to grow, and supporting home-based businesses across the city. Alongside tools like the Housing Acceleration Plan, this by-law is a key part of our work to make Ottawa the most housing-friendly city in Canada.
If you want to learn more, you can listen to Episode 7 of the City’s OttaTalk podcast it’s a great look at how this by-law will lead to more affordable housing choices across Ottawa.
