Zoning Changes and Building Permit Toronto: Complete 2025 Guide

Modern Toronto home with legal basement apartment entrance, highlighting zoning and building permit upgrades.

Building Permit Updates in Toronto: What You Need to Know

Toronto is in the middle of a major transformation in the way it handles zoning and building permits. For homeowners, builders, and developers, these changes are creating new opportunities—but also new challenges. If you’re planning a renovation, addition, or new build, understanding the latest zoning rules and building permit requirements in Toronto is essential.

Simplifying Zoning in Residential Areas ready for building permit in Toronto

Toronto has started simplifying its complex zoning by-laws to make approvals faster and easier. Updates to Zoning By-law 569-2013 are reducing red tape in low-rise residential neighborhoods, making it simpler to add secondary units, laneway suites, or small-scale infill housing.

The biggest shift came in 2025: multiplex housing—up to six units—can now be built “as-of-right” on many residential lots. That means fewer rezoning battles and a smoother path to approval. These zoning changes are designed to increase housing supply while keeping the character of neighborhoods intact.

Infill and Transit-Oriented Development

The city is also encouraging infill housing on underused land, like parking lots beside existing apartment buildings. At the same time, mid-rise developments along transit corridors are being supported, opening the door for more housing near subways and major transit routes.

For anyone applying for a building permit in Toronto, these updates mean more flexibility on where and what you can build.

Bill 17 and Provincial Influence

In June 2025, Ontario passed the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act (Bill 17). This law introduced as-of-right minor variances for things like setbacks, making it easier to add suites or small extensions without lengthy committee approvals.

It also limits municipalities from enforcing certain by-laws that go beyond the Ontario Building Code. While this speeds up permits, it also means less local control over environmental and design standards.

New Tools for Faster Building Permit Approvals

One of the most exciting updates for homeowners is the introduction of free, pre-approved designs for garden suites and laneway houses. Released in July 2025, these standardized plans comply with the Ontario Building Code and can significantly cut design costs and permit timelines.

Toronto has also upgraded its digital permitting system. Homeowners and contractors can now track building permit applications online in real time, making the process more transparent.

Rising Permit Costs and Stricter Requirements

While some approvals are faster, other projects face higher costs and stricter rules. Basement underpinning, for example, now requires Professional Engineer-stamped drawings, expanded insulation standards, and formal notifications to neighbors. Permit fees for certain renovations have also increased in 2025, so it’s important to budget accordingly.

What This Means for Homeowners and Builders

The zoning changes and building permit updates in Toronto can be summed up this way:

• Easier approvals for multiplexes, garden suites, and laneway homes

• More housing options in transit corridors and existing apartment zones

• Faster permit timelines with digital applications and pre-approved plans

• Higher compliance standards for structural and safety work

• Increased costs for complex renovations like basement lowering

Final Thoughts

Toronto’s zoning and building permit system is evolving quickly to meet housing demand. For homeowners, this means more flexibility to build, expand, or add rental units on their property. For developers, it means more predictability and less time lost to rezoning delays.

If you’re considering a project, staying up to date with the latest zoning rules and building permit requirements in Toronto is critical. With the right planning, you can take advantage of these changes and move your project forward faster and more efficiently.