Zoning By-Law Amendment: Laneway Housing Rule

On October 19, 2026, City Council approved an amendment to the Zoning By-law that clarifies that any new residential buildings behind an existing detached dwelling may only be a secondary suite. This amendment addresses an oversight that came to light after earlier Zoning By-law amendments that encouraged more residential development, such as the Housing Accelerator Fund Zoning By-law amendment. This rule change does not affect the development of another building beside an existing house if there is sufficient space, nor does it affect redevelopment of a site involving the demolition of an existing detached dwelling.