What happens when… the importance of understanding zoning laws in Ontario

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As a real estate investor or agent, you know how complex zoning laws can be and how they impact what your clients can and cannot do with a property.

To help you navigate these regulations more effectively, we’ve created a comprehensive zoning & land use guide packed with valuable resources. This guide will empower you to better advise your clients and make informed decisions.

If you have any questions, we’re always happy to help!

What Are Zoning By-Laws?

Zoning by-laws clarify how land can be used and control the use of land in your community.  

These laws determine:

• How land can be used - for example, residential, commercial, industrial or agricultural.
• Where buildings and other structures can be located - for example, building a commercial structure in a residential area.
• The types of buildings permitted - for example, single-family homes or duplexes and triplexes.
• Lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights and densities, and setbacks from the street.

Checking Zoning Laws Within Your Municipality

As a real estate agent, your knowledge makes you an invaluable resource for your clients. Whether your client wants to create an in-law apartment or undertake extensive renovations on a property, zoning by-laws will dictate whether these plans are feasible or require amendments.

It’s essential to remember that zoning laws are not always fixed. Amendments or minor variance applications can be requested to accommodate specific needs. Understanding the process can save your clients time and money.

Identify Potential Challenges and Future Changes

Navigating zoning regulations can be complex, especially in rapidly developing regions such as Durham Region, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and Toronto. Here are a few key questions to address when advising clients about a property:

• Does the property you are viewing have a structure that is not on the municipality’s building plan?
• Does the property fall on protected lands such as the Oak Ridges Moraine?
• Is the property a designated heritage site or in a heritage district such as the Town of Whitby’s downtown core?  
• Are there any municipal development plans in the works for a surrounding area that might impact the property’s value or the client’s day-to-day life?

Consult with the Experts

Real estate lawyers have an abundance of information when it comes to zoning and land development advice. If you connect with your local real estate lawyer, they can efficiently search the title to a property and get you the information you are looking for on a specific property. This is especially important if your client intends to make significant changes, such as an addition, to the property they are considering.

Be proactive and informed to provide your clients with the most up-to-date and accurate information about a property they are interested in.

Legal Resources

For more information, explore these useful resources:

Ontario Land Tribunal

Ontario Planning Act

Durham Region’s Zoning

If you have questions, we have answers.

As a trusted real estate lawyer, McMurter & Associates can help guide you on the best course of action for any zoning by-laws you have questions about.  

We strive to provide you with straightforward and useful advice that you can use in your business. If you have found this useful, please share this information with your colleagues, or better yet, invite them to sign up for the newsletter!

If you have questions about your real estate transaction, we are available Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm.  Email: info@mcmurter Phone: 905-666-9200