In an effort to address the growing demand for housing and support the city’s goals of sustainability and affordability, the City of Toronto adopted significant changes to its zoning laws on May 10, 2023. These changes, spearheaded through Official Plan Amendment 649 and a Zoning By-Law Amendment, permit the construction of multiplexes city-wide on lands designated as Neighbourhoods. This move not only opens the door for more housing units but also allows greater flexibility for homeowners and developers alike. The amendments permit duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes on residential lots, providing new housing opportunities while preserving the character and form of Toronto’s neighborhoods.
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What is a Multiplex?
A multiplex refers to a low-rise residential building that contains two to four dwelling units. Specifically, this includes duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. These units are designed to make more efficient use of the available land while also providing more housing choices to residents across Toronto.
Multiplexes are a key solution to the housing crisis as they increase density without significantly altering the look and feel of neighborhoods. This change allows for more ground-related housing, (for example, basement apartments), benefiting households at various stages of life, from young families to multi-generational living.
Key Changes to the Zoning By-Law
The Zoning By-Law Amendment for multiplexes provides flexibility for builders and homeowners in terms of lot size and design. The changes apply to residential zones including RD (Residential Detached), RS (Residential Semi-Detached), and RT (Residential Townhouse) zones, allowing up to four units per lot, subject to specific performance standards. Some of the key features include:
- Building Depth and Length: The maximum depth for a duplex, triplex, or fourplex has been increased to 19 meters under specific conditions. This is designed to allow for larger, more functional units while ensuring that the homes remain within the scale of existing neighborhoods.
- Lot Sizes: Minimum lot sizes have been adjusted, with duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes allowed on lots with a frontage as small as 6 meters, depending on the zone. This flexibility makes it easier to build multi-unit homes on smaller plots of land.
- Parking and Landscaping: To promote greener developments and pedestrian-friendly streets, the by-law encourages the preservation of green spaces, including front and rear yard landscaping. Additionally, parking requirements have been relaxed in some cases to allow for easier multiplex conversions.
Benefits of Multiplex Housing
Multiplex housing offers numerous advantages for homeowners, developers, and the city as a whole. These benefits include:
- Increased Housing Supply: As Toronto continues to grow, adding more housing units through multiplexes helps address the city’s housing crisis. This creates more affordable options for residents without the need for high-rise developments.
- Diverse Housing Options: Multiplexes allow for a variety of household types, including larger families, multigenerational families, and shared living spaces for professionals or students. This flexibility is especially important in meeting the diverse needs of Toronto’s residents.
- Sustainability and Green Living: The Official Plan Amendment encourages the incorporation of sustainable features, such as green roofs, solar panels, and energy-efficient materials. In addition, preserving existing trees and planting new ones as part of the development is a priority. These efforts align with the city’s broader environmental goals and commitment to fighting climate change.
- Affordability: By adding more units to the market, the cost of housing becomes more manageable. Additionally, homeowners who convert their properties into multiplexes can generate rental income, making it easier to afford their homes.
- Integration with Neighborhood Character: While multiplexes allow for increased density, the by-law ensures that they still fit within the general look and feel of the surrounding area. This includes maintaining similar setbacks, height limits, and architectural styles, so the overall character of the neighborhood is preserved.
Challenges and Considerations
Although the multiplex zoning changes represent a step forward in Toronto’s housing strategy, there are some challenges and considerations that must be addressed:
- Parking Concerns: Despite the relaxation of parking requirements, some residents may be concerned about the impact of additional units on street parking availability. However, the amendments encourage the use of alternative transportation and promote a more walkable urban environment.
- Construction and Renovation Costs: While multiplex conversions offer financial benefits in the long run, the initial costs for homeowners to renovate or build a multiplex can be significant. It’s essential for potential developers to carefully evaluate their financial situations before embarking on such projects.
- Zoning Compliance and Variances: In cases where sustainable features or tree preservation efforts result in the need for zoning variances, developers must work with the city to ensure compliance. This process can sometimes delay construction, but the by-law allows flexibility for green design.
A Path Forward for Toronto’s Housing Market
Toronto’s new multiplex by-law represents a significant evolution in the city’s approach to housing. By enabling more duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes throughout the city, Toronto is taking bold steps to create more housing opportunities for its growing population. This strategy aligns with the broader goal of increasing urban density while ensuring that the city’s neighborhoods retain their unique character.
These changes are particularly important in the context of Toronto’s tight housing market. With rental and home prices soaring, adding more duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes offers relief to buyers and renters alike by increasing the supply of housing.
As the city moves forward, continued collaboration between developers, homeowners, and city officials will be key to ensuring that the multiplex housing strategy succeeds. These amendments lay the groundwork for a more inclusive, flexible, and sustainable housing market in Toronto.