Pickering Zoning By-law Review

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The City of Pickering is taking the next step to achieve the Pickering Official Plan’s vision by reviewing and consolidating the six current Zoning By-laws (2511, 2520, 3036, 7364/14 & 7553/17) and combining them into one consolidated document. Our intention is to create a new zoning by-law to manage land use and future development. Having one zoning by-law will make it easier for residents, developers and others to access information they are looking for.

Why has the City initiated this review?

Pickering has 6 different zoning by-laws that apply to different areas of the City. Many are outdated and do not reflect current Provincial legislation and Official Plan policies. Through this review, the previous by-laws will be consolidated to reflect Pickering’s Official Plan policies, modern planning trends, and simplify the processing of permits and planning applications.



We are in Phase 2 - Public Release of the Second Draft of the Zoning By-law

The City of Pickering has prepared a second draft of its consolidated Zoning By-law and invites you to review and learn more about the changes and how they impact properties and future development in Pickering.

In response to comments on the First Draft of the Zoning By-law, provisions for Short-term Rentals, Driveway Widening, and several new areas have been included in the Second Draft.


Second Draft of the Zoning By-law Text


Release of Chapter 15 - Exceptions

With the release of the Second Draft of the Zoning By-law, we have completed our review of the Exceptions. City Staff reviewed over 800 Exceptions found in the six existing Parent By-laws. All Exceptions were an outcome of site specific rezonings dating all the way back to the 1960's.

Through our review, the total number of Exceptions has been reduced from roughly 851 to 412. This means that many of the existing development is now in compliance with the Consolidated Zoning By-law.

Exception TextsException Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x1 to x91
Exception Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x92 to x104
Exception Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x105 to x215
Exception Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x216 to x302
Exception Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x303 to x353, and x412
Exception Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x354 to x381
Exception Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x382 to x411
Exception Tracking Matrix


Comment Summary Matrix

City Staff have received many comments from the Public on the first draft of the By-law. We have prepared a Comment Matrix with all public comments and our response here: Comment Summary Matrix


For more information on the Second Draft of the Zoning By-law, the City of Pickering will be hosting an In-person Open house on March 12, 2024 from 4:30 to 8 pm at the Civic Centre foyer. The statutory meeting will be held on April 2nd, 2024 at 7 pm in the Council Chambers with an In-person Open House from 4:00 - 6:30pm.

The Statutory meeting will be held on April 2, 2024 at 7 pm in the Pickering Council Chambers with an In-person Open House from 4:00 - 6:30 pm.

Statutory Meeting
DateTuesday, April 2, 2024
Time7:00 pm
LocationPickering Council Chambers

View the Public Notice

View the Information Report



How to Read the Zoning By-law: A Citizen's Guide

Step 1: Locate a property of interest on the Interactive Map here.

  • Use the search bar to find your property of interest.
  • Select the property to open the corresponding zoning (i.e C1, CC1, SLD1, etc.).
  • If your selected property has an exception, the zone code will begin with "x" and proceed with the Exception number *(i.e. x500 (CC 1).
  • If you have a comment about the property, click the “Submit a comment…..” link

Step 2: Review the applicable Sections of the draft Zoning By-law Text.

  • First, open the draft Zoning By-law and find the applicable Section(s) (i.e. if you property is zoned Residential, proceed to Section 6.5 for permitted uses, lot requirements).
  • If your selected property has an Exception, please proceed to the Section 15 Exception documents located above
  • Please note, Section 4 (General Regulations) & Section 5 (Parking Regulations) apply to most zones in the City of Pickering.

Step 3: Please share your experience, any questions, or concerns below. Alternatively, you may email your comments to zonereview@pickering.ca. If you wish to have your comments considered on the first draft, we kindly request you submit your comments or questions by/before May 1, 2024.


Second Draft of the Zoning By-law Text
The City of Pickering is taking the next step to achieve the Pickering Official Plan’s vision by reviewing and consolidating the six current Zoning By-laws (2511, 2520, 3036, 7364/14 & 7553/17) and combining them into one consolidated document. Our intention is to create a new zoning by-law to manage land use and future development. Having one zoning by-law will make it easier for residents, developers and others to access information they are looking for.

Why has the City initiated this review?

Pickering has 6 different zoning by-laws that apply to different areas of the City. Many are outdated and do not reflect current Provincial legislation and Official Plan policies. Through this review, the previous by-laws will be consolidated to reflect Pickering’s Official Plan policies, modern planning trends, and simplify the processing of permits and planning applications.



We are in Phase 2 - Public Release of the Second Draft of the Zoning By-law

The City of Pickering has prepared a second draft of its consolidated Zoning By-law and invites you to review and learn more about the changes and how they impact properties and future development in Pickering.

In response to comments on the First Draft of the Zoning By-law, provisions for Short-term Rentals, Driveway Widening, and several new areas have been included in the Second Draft.


Second Draft of the Zoning By-law Text


Release of Chapter 15 - Exceptions

With the release of the Second Draft of the Zoning By-law, we have completed our review of the Exceptions. City Staff reviewed over 800 Exceptions found in the six existing Parent By-laws. All Exceptions were an outcome of site specific rezonings dating all the way back to the 1960's.

Through our review, the total number of Exceptions has been reduced from roughly 851 to 412. This means that many of the existing development is now in compliance with the Consolidated Zoning By-law.

Exception TextsException Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x1 to x91
Exception Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x92 to x104
Exception Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x105 to x215
Exception Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x216 to x302
Exception Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x303 to x353, and x412
Exception Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x354 to x381
Exception Tracking Matrix
Exception Zones x382 to x411
Exception Tracking Matrix


Comment Summary Matrix

City Staff have received many comments from the Public on the first draft of the By-law. We have prepared a Comment Matrix with all public comments and our response here: Comment Summary Matrix


For more information on the Second Draft of the Zoning By-law, the City of Pickering will be hosting an In-person Open house on March 12, 2024 from 4:30 to 8 pm at the Civic Centre foyer. The statutory meeting will be held on April 2nd, 2024 at 7 pm in the Council Chambers with an In-person Open House from 4:00 - 6:30pm.

The Statutory meeting will be held on April 2, 2024 at 7 pm in the Pickering Council Chambers with an In-person Open House from 4:00 - 6:30 pm.

Statutory Meeting
DateTuesday, April 2, 2024
Time7:00 pm
LocationPickering Council Chambers

View the Public Notice

View the Information Report



How to Read the Zoning By-law: A Citizen's Guide

Step 1: Locate a property of interest on the Interactive Map here.

  • Use the search bar to find your property of interest.
  • Select the property to open the corresponding zoning (i.e C1, CC1, SLD1, etc.).
  • If your selected property has an exception, the zone code will begin with "x" and proceed with the Exception number *(i.e. x500 (CC 1).
  • If you have a comment about the property, click the “Submit a comment…..” link

Step 2: Review the applicable Sections of the draft Zoning By-law Text.

  • First, open the draft Zoning By-law and find the applicable Section(s) (i.e. if you property is zoned Residential, proceed to Section 6.5 for permitted uses, lot requirements).
  • If your selected property has an Exception, please proceed to the Section 15 Exception documents located above
  • Please note, Section 4 (General Regulations) & Section 5 (Parking Regulations) apply to most zones in the City of Pickering.

Step 3: Please share your experience, any questions, or concerns below. Alternatively, you may email your comments to zonereview@pickering.ca. If you wish to have your comments considered on the first draft, we kindly request you submit your comments or questions by/before May 1, 2024.


Second Draft of the Zoning By-law Text

Ask your Zoning By-law related questions here!

Please share any questions or comments about the Comprehensive Zoning By-law here. City Development Department staff will review and respond to questions.

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    Is the first draft interactive map reflective of existing zoning or proposed future? I found a few areas that seem to have strange zoning (e.g. Sandbar rd is marked residential)

    Coolibop asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

    Since one of the goals of the Zoning By-law Review project are to consolidate existing zones, the Zoning within the Interactive Map has carried forward the existing Zoning that is currently in-effect, including Zoning that was first passed by Council in the 1960's. Historically, the lands along Sandbar Road were zoned "R4" under Zoning By-law 2511, and used to contain residential uses including summer cottages. However, in 2023, the lands along Sandbar Road are in public ownership, and will continue to be used for Waterfront Open Space uses, including the preservation of the natural features along Sandbar Road. Since TRCA and/or City of Pickering have not rezoned the lands, they have continued to be zoned for Residential Uses, which may help explain the "strange zoning."

    Furthermore, some parcels of land may have different Zoning than what is currently existing, since  all of the zoning exceptions (rezonings) were not included in the First Draft of the Zoning By-law. The Second Draft of the Zoning By-law will contain exceptions, which will more accurately reflect the reality of what's existing now, on the ground.

    We will continue to review Zoning discrepancies that have carried over from the former Parent By-laws. 

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    We currently have a restriction on overnight parking, and keeping streets clear after a snow storm until the plows go through, where is this covered in the new proposed Zoning document ?

    David from Pickering asked about 1 year ago

    The Zoning By-law does not speak to on-street parking, cycling lanes, or sidewalks. Zoning By-laws are passed by Council for prohibiting the use of land, except for such purposes as may be set out in the by-law within the municipality or within any defined area next to any defined highway or part of a highway. 

    However, the Zoning By-law is concerned with parking requirements both for vehicles and bicycles as it relates to a parcel(s) of land. This means the Zoning By-law is concerned with number of parking and biking spaces, location of parking facilities, loading facilities and other parking related matters including setbacks, aisles, and relayed standards.

    We appreciate input and comments on the draft parking provisions of the By-law found in Section 5 of the draft Zoning By-law. 

    We also have a supplementary Summary Sheet on Parking and Loading requirements, which can be found here: https://www.pickering.ca/en/city-hall/resources/ZBR/PickeringZBL_Summary-Sheet-No8---Parking-.pdf

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    I see comments in the ideas tab that talk about zoning for cycling or pedestrian access. Does this sort of issue apply to a zoning bylaw review, or is this more appropriate for the citys' transportation/network plans?

    Coolibop asked over 1 year ago

    The Zoning By-law does not speak to on-street parking, cycling lanes, or sidewalks. Zoning By-laws are passed by Council for prohibiting the use of land, except for such purposes as may be set out in the by-law within the municipality or within any defined area next to any defined highway or part of a highway. 

    However, the Zoning By-law is concerned with parking requirements both for vehicles and bicycles as it relates to a parcel(s) of land. This means the Zoning By-law is concerned with number of parking and biking spaces, location of parking facilities, loading facilities and other parking related matters including setbacks, aisles, and relayed standards.

    We appreciate input and comments on the draft parking provisions of the By-law found in Section 5 of the draft Zoning By-law. 

    We also have a supplementary Summary Sheet on Parking and Loading requirements, which can be found here: https://www.pickering.ca/en/city-hall/resources/ZBR/PickeringZBL_Summary-Sheet-No8---Parking-.pdf



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    Will there be an in-person Open House?

    Johnnie asked about 1 year ago

    Hi Johnnie, a Public Open House will take place on January 26, 2023 from 2pm - 5pm & 6pm - 8pm. We will be located at: Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex [East Salon] 1867 Valley Farm Road, Pickering.

    The Open House Public Notice: https://www.pickering.ca/en/city-hall/resources/ZBR/Open-House-Notice.pdf

Page last updated: 28 Mar 2024, 02:28 PM