Commercial Zones Review

Based on direction received from Council, along with feedback from residents, businesses and other stakeholders, these key changes were made to the Zoning Bylaw in July 2020:

Improve Flexibility

• Combine long lists of specific uses into broader categories that are more flexible and easier to understand
• Make definitions more flexible by allowing for uses like the ones listed
• Add permitted uses to some commercial zones where reasonable

Consolidate Zones

• Combine zones together where they are very similar to each other, including the high-density mixed-use zones (C-4 and C-7), Service Commercial zones (CS-1 and CS-2), and Service Station zones (SS-1, SS-2 and SS-3)
• Remove zones where they are very restrictive and apply to only a few properties, including the C-3 Medical Commercial zone and CS-4 Cabaret Commercial zone

Modernize the Zoning Bylaw

• Draft a new low-rise, mixed-use commercial zone to accommodate modern forms of development
• Revise or eliminate outdated regulations

Streamline the Zoning Bylaw

• Reduce redundancy by moving regulations to Part 5 General Regulations
• Reorganize C-5 Community Commercial zone to make it easier to understand

For more information, view the summary graphic and approved changes in the Commercial Zones Review (PDF).

While existing commercial regulations work well for many businesses, the Zoning Bylaw was reviewed to accommodate changing commercial needs and preferences.

The review covered the Commercial, Service Commercial, and Service Station zones, as well as other relevant regulations and definitions in the Zoning Bylaw. The review does not cover industrial zones, parking and loading requirements, signage, business licensing costs and procedures, or commercial taxation rates.

• Infographic – Commercial Zones Review and Proposed Improvements
• Report to Council (June 15, 2020)  - Commercial Zones Review – OCP Amendment Bylaw No. 5046, 2020 and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 5047, 2020 (PROJ 19-075)
• Report to Council-in-Committee (April 6, 2020) - Commercial Zones Review - Summary of Proposed Improvements and Public Consultation Round 2
• Report to Council-in-Committee (December 16, 2019) – Commercial Zones Review – Public Consultation Summary and Opportunities for Improvement