Looking to maximize your properties’ income potential? Ready to take advantage of Bill 23 and 109? We are here to help! With Bill 23 in place, several important areas of land use planning have changed in favour of “More Homes Faster”. This is in an effort to deal with Canada’s housing crisis. Here are some of the key benefits:

Units:

• The provincial government is now allowing up to 3 units on any lot in all urban-services parts of the city. Allowing for “gentle intensification” or densification.

• The City of Ottawa has no jurisdiction or ability to regulate a minimum size of such units.

• There are no requirements for more than one parking space per unit.

Site Plan Control:

• If the proposed development has 10 units or less - it is exempt from Site Plan Control.

• City Planners no longer have oversight on the design of the exterior of new builds.

• Landscaping features that are not in the right of way are not mandatory as part of the application unless they touch on health, safety, and accessibility.

Zoning:

• The city requires that all zoning by-laws be completed within one year when creating a Protected Major Transit Station (PMTS).

• Inclusionary Zoning is allowed in PMTs areas, but now there is a cap of a maximum of %5 of IZ units in the PMTs. The maximum term for IZ units will be 25 years.