Recent amendments adopted by City Council to the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw will allow for locally-serving small-scale retail, service and office uses to open in the City of Toronto’s residential neighbourhoods. The decision highlights the City’s desire to create vibrant, complete communities that offer a greater number of choices for retail, service and work within walking distance of residents’ homes. This initiative is part of the City’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods program (EHON).
At the moment, small businesses allowed to open in residential neighbourhoods include barbers, beauticians, dressmakers, seamstresses and health/medical offices. Further work, including a citywide zoning ordinance that expands permits for the use of retail and service businesses in the neighbourhoods, is expected to the considered by Council in 2023. That work will be supported by additional consultation, research and actions, including a Local Neighbourhoods Retail and Services study.
You can access the City’s official press release here. More information is also available on the Local Neighbourhood Retail and Services web page.