Toronto Releases Draft Instruments To Implement Inclusionary Zoning

Summary

On Friday October 8, 2021, City of Toronto staff released draft official plan and zoning by-law amendments they intend to recommend to City Council to implement inclusionary zoning. The proposed amendments would impose a requirement to deliver affordable housing on residential developments that (i) contain at least 100 units or 8,000 square metres of residential gross floor area (GFA), (ii) are located within a protected major transit station area (PMTSA), and (iii) are located within areas of the City identified as "Inclusionary Zoning Market Areas" (IZ Market Areas).

For most projects meeting these eligibility criteria, the proposed amendments would initially require 5%-10% of the total residential GFA of a development to be provided as affordable housing for 99 years, depending on the project's location and the tenure of the affordable units (rental vs. ownership), with these rates increasing over time. However, no affordable housing would be required