Toronto’s New Major Streets Bylaw: Opening Up New Roads for Home Ownership in the City

Toronto, a bustling metropolis known for its diverse culture and vibrant neighborhoods, has long grappled with housing affordability issues. As a local construction company deeply rooted in Toronto’s urban development, we know the challenges facing individuals looking to live and work in Canada’s largest city.

A recent change in legislation through the Major Streets Bylaw, promises to shake up the housing landscape in a positive way. In this post, we’ll delve deeper into the details of the Major Streets Bylaw and explore how it’s poised to make a significant impact on housing in our city.

Understanding the Major Streets Bylaw

The “Major Streets Bylaw” aims to revitalize and enhance the urban fabric of the City of Toronto by encouraging the development of townhomes and small residential apartments along major streets. These major streets serve as vital arteries, connecting neighborhoods and fostering economic activity. The bylaw incentivizes the construction of new residential units, maximizing land use and creating vibrant, pedestrian-friendly environments. The aim is to create gentle density in low-rise neighbourhoods along major streets to allow for more housing along the major transportation corridors throughout Toronto. The other idea is to incorporate non-residential uses into these new apartments and townhomes to create more vibrant and diverse neighborhoods with new small businesses.

Here’s our take on the positive impact of this new zoning by-law, and what is means for those considering developing or buying property in Toronto.

1. Fueling Supply. Toronto’s housing market has long struggled with a supply-demand imbalance. The ‘Major Streets Bylaw provides a solution by unlocking untapped potential along our major arteries. By embracing more flexibility around development, we’re not just building structures; we’re crafting homes and communities, opening doors to more residents seeking affordable housing in popular neighbourhoods in Toronto.

2. Embracing Diversity. At BVM Contracting, we believe that diversity enriched communities. The ‘Major Streets Bylaw’ champions this ethos by fostering a range of housing options. From small apartments to townhomes, the bylaw encourages us to build spaces that reflect the varied lifestyles and aspirations of Torontonians, supporting greater access to housing on major transportation corridors in some of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in Toronto.

3. Bringing Amenities Closer. Convenience is key to a thriving neighborhood. By integrating more opportunity for residential spaces, the bylaw ensures that essential services are just steps away. From morning coffee to evening groceries, residents can enjoy the convenience of city living without sacrificing accessibility, enhancing the allure of homeownership in our developments.

4. Riding the Transit Wave. Toronto’s public transit network is the backbone of our city’s mobility. The ‘Major Streets Bylaw’ recognizes this and incentivizes transit-oriented development. By building density along transit corridors, we’re not just reducing carbon footprints; we’re crafting communities where homeowners can enjoy seamless connectivity and urban living at its finest.

5. Increasing Opportunities for Townhouses and Small Apartments. The Major Streets Bylaw presents an opportunity to diversify housing options by opening up new high and low-density residential development options. This opens avenues for developing townhouses and small apartments, catering to the evolving needs of residents. Such developments not only enhance housing affordability but also contribute to the fabric of vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods.

Major Updates to the zoning Bylaw for major streets

With the Major Streets Bylaw the following updates are proposed, which will allow for a far greater amount of density on Major Streets in Toronto:

• Allowing RD, RT, RS, and RM zones to building townhomes and apartment buildings when they are located on major streets.

• The removal of maximum Floor Space Index (FSI) calculations when the property is located on a major street, thus allowing for maximized density on the lot

• The removal of amenity space requirements for apartments with 30 dwelling units or less being built on major streets

• You would be allowed to build more than one building on a lot that abuts a major street (more than one apartment/townhome or combination)

• The max number of dwelling units in an apartment abutting a major street is the greater number between 30 dwelling units and the numerical value following the letter “u” on the zoning bylaw map

• For an apartment located on a major street the maximum building height is 19 meters or the height value shown on the zoning bylaw map.

You can read more by reading the proposed bylaw amendments for the major streets bylaw here!

What streets are considered major streets in Toronto

There are a lot of streets that will be affected by the Major Streets Bylaw amendment, which you can see below. If you want to see the map in more detail you can check it out here.

Conclusion

At BVM Contracting, we see the ‘Major Streets Bylaw’ as more than just legislation; it’s a catalyst for change, a blueprint for a more inclusive and vibrant Toronto. By embracing more flexible development laws along our major streets, we’re not just building structures; we’re building homes, communities, and futures. As we move forward, initiatives like the ‘Major Streets Bylaw’ will continue to shape the fabric of homeownership in our city, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this transformative journey.

If you are interested in speaking with a BVM Contracting representative about your new home build, home addition, or substantial home or business renovation project please reach out to us at contact@bvmcontracting.com.

About BVM COntracting

BVM Contracting is a full-service General Contractor or Home Builder located in Toronto. We provide home renovation and building services for major home renovations (kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, basement renovations, full interior renovations, home additions, lot severances, and new home construction). Our goal is to help guide our clients through the process of renovating their home, from concept to completion.

Further than providing General Contracting and Project Management for major home renovations, we also offer value-added services such as renovation financing, renovation rebate consultations and services, building permit and design services, smart home installation services, and real estate investor services.

To learn more about our offering by visiting our services page.