Staff presentation on changes to Zoning By-law resulting from Bill 23

Presentation

At the October 4 Planning and Housing Committee meeting, we passed interim Zoning Amendments, until Council adoption of the new Zoning By-law, for the City of Ottawa to be compliant with Bill 23, the Provincial legislation that permits 3 units to be built on every site that has city services. This means that R1 zoning, which restricts building to one home on one lot, is effectively over for many College Ward neighbourhoods. Single units can now be three units, and semi-detached can effectively have 3 units each, for a total of 6 units on one lot. This is a big change, and one I know will be felt by many neighbours in Ottawa. I was sure to share information about the provincial bill during my campaign, and in my first communications in office, but if you missed it, you can find it here: How will Bill 23 affect residents?

At the October 4 Planning and Housing Committee meeting, we passed interim Zoning Amendments, until Council adoption of the new Zoning By-law, for the City of Ottawa to be compliant with Bill 23, the Provincial legislation that permits 3 units to be built on every site that has city services. This means that R1 zoning, which restricts building to one home on one lot, is effectively over for many College Ward neighbourhoods. Single units can now be three units, and semi-detached can effectively have 3 units each, for a total of 6 units on one lot. This is a big change, and one I know will be felt by many neighbours in Ottawa. I was sure to share information about the provincial bill during my campaign, and in my first communications in office, but if you missed it, you can find it here: How will Bill 23 affect residents?

This interim zoning provision is intended only to be in place until the full comprehensive zoning bylaw review is complete (https://engage.ottawa.ca/zoning), and it seeks to harmonize those pieces of zoning that regulate triplexes with other zoning that regulates secondary dwelling units, because this new zoning could be considered either way. A major part of the discussion was on the provision of parking, and it was decided that you could offer rear yard parking (like triplexes) but with the caveat that 15% of the yard has to remain soft landscaping (currently no landscaping minimums are in place under the bylaws).

A maximum 70% of a rear yard  will be permitted for parking in the R1-R5 zones, whereas today no such restriction exists and one could hypothetically use their entire rear yard for parking. I am satisfied that this interim solution will bring some predictability for both residents and builders who are looking to move forward with Provincial direction, but have been waiting for a year for this to come to pass.

For more information, please check out the summaries from the City.

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Today, I seconded a motion by Mayor Sutcliffe to provide residents who are rebuilding after the July 1, 2026 flooding with relief from fees associated with construction.

Read the full motion

WHEREAS the extreme weather events of July 1, August 10 and August 12, 2026, 
caused significant disruption, property damage, and financial hardship for 
residents across the city, impacting more than 6,500 properties; and

WHEREAS the City’s Revenue Services team has implemented temporary 
administrative measures to support affected residents, including the suspension 
of collection activities, a pause on interest accumulation and related late fees, 
enhanced customer service accommodations, and account-level notifications for 
impacted properties; and

Today, I tabled an Inquiry to ask for details about Inlet Control Devices, why they were installed in west end catch basins, how they're maintained, and whether they may have contributed to the July 1 flooding.


Read the full Inquiry

 

Inquiry:
Following the July 1, 2026 flooding of thousands of west end Ottawa homes, 
businesses, and public facilities, and again after the flooding on August 10, 2026, 
many residents noted that stormwater drainage through municipal catch basins 
was inhibited by Inlet Control Devices (ICDs) which had been installed by the 
City.
Several also noted that the ICDs were plugged with dirt and debris, completely 
blocking the catch basin from draining storm water.
The apparent result of the ICDs, whether blocked or not, was to cause overland 
flooding that entered homes.

Today, I moved a motion, seconded by Mayor Sutcliffe, to consult with weather experts to determine how College Ward and environs are being impacted by extreme weather so we can plan to improve our infrastructure and maintenance routines.

See the full motion.

WHEREAS over the past several years, Nepean has suffered several extreme 
weather events including the 2018 tornados; 2022 derecho; the 2023 ice storm; 
the July 1, 2026 rainstorm and floods; and the August 12, 2026 windstorm; and

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa’s Climate Projections for the National Capital 
Region (2020) indicate that Ottawa is projected to see rising temperatures, more 
rainfall and more extreme weather events; and

WHEREAS recent and historical weather patterns suggest that the affected areas 
of Nepean may experience localized weather and climatic conditions that differ 
from other parts of the city;

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa uses climate and weather reports when designing 
its infrastructure standards, infrastructure maintenance routines and resident 
support programs; and

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