ReZone + ReDesign: Zoning By-law and Urban Design Guideline Update

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About the Project


The Town of Stouffville is updating our Town-Wide Comprehensive Zoning By-law and Town-Wide Urban Design Guidelines.

The Zoning By-law establishes the detailed land use regulations that implement the Town’s Official Plan, which was adopted in May 2024 and approved in September 2025.


Zoning By-laws provide regulations for development, including permitted uses, building types, setbacks, heights, and site standards.

Urban Design Guidelines provide direction on the form and character of the built environment, ensuring that new development contributes to the Town’s unique sense of place.


The Town’s current Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2010-001 was adopted in 2010 and is due to be modernized. Further to this, the Town is required by the Planning Act to update the Zoning By-law to implement the Town’s new Official Plan within three years of adoption. The accompanying new Town-wide Urban Design Guidelines will support the Town’s future vision and design objectives by guiding intensification, new development, and public realm improvements.


Once the project is complete, the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville will have an updated Comprehensive Zoning By-law and a set of Urban Design Guidelines that are forward-looking, user-friendly, and tailored to the Town’s local context. These documents will ensure that future growth and development are implemented in a manner that is consistent with the Official Plan and reflective of the community’s unique characteristics, needs, and aspirations.


Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Initiatives


The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a federal program intended to support the increase of housing across Canada as it allocates funding to assist municipalities in reducing barriers and expediting approval processes to facilitate more housing development and accelerate project timelines. Concurrently to the Town’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review, these two special studies are underway with dedicated program funding from the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) program:


  • HAF Initiative 1: Medium/High-Density Parking Study

This study reviewed and updated parking requirements for medium and high-density developments within the Town’s Strategic Growth Areas. It focused on opportunities to reduce minimum parking requirements, especially near Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs), to better support sustainable growth and transit-oriented development.

  • HAF Initiative 2: Expanding Missing Middle Housing

Following Council’s April 2024 direction, this initiative examined where it is most appropriate to allow up to four residential units per property. This study explored how different housing types, such as multiplexes and low-rise apartments, can be integrated into existing neighborhoods. The goal is to support a range of housing, encourage gentle increases in density, address housing supply gaps, and promote walkability to local amenities and transit. Urban Design Guidelines will be prepared as a part of the broader project to ensure that new infill development is well integrated within the community.


These initiatives are designed to provide valuable input to the Zoning By-law Review, helping to shape policies that reflect the Town’s vision for growth, housing choice, and community character.

The first Drop-In Open House was December 2, 2025 Couldn't make it to the meeting? You can still view the presentation boards under "documents" and provide responses to the questions on the boards here.


Overview of HAF initiative timeline:


Phase 1: Background Review and Engagement (Fall 2025)

This phase focused on research, best practices, and community consultation to inform the studies. The Project Team prepared a Background and Best Practice Review, followed by engagement opportunities to identify key issues, opportunities, and priorities. Community feedback played an essential role in shaping the direction of the project and directly informed the work completed in Phase 2.


Phase 2: Implementation and Statutory Public Consultation (Winter 2026)

In this phase, the focus shifted to preparing the draft Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment for public and Council consideration. A Statutory Public Open House and Statutory Public Meeting were held to present the draft materials and gather input. The Project Team then refined and finalized the documents for presentation to Council along with the final report for each initiative.


Phase 3: Council Adoption
This was the final phase of the HAF portion of the project. The final recommendation report, as well as Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment were brought before Council on April 15, 2026 for decision, with Council voting to support the recommendation of staff. The report can be found here.


Ways to Get Involved


Your perspective and input will help shape the future form and character of the Town! Engagement opportunities will take place throughout the Project to hear and learn from residents, share key findings and updates, and present and gather feedback on emerging ideas. Notifications about upcoming ways to get involved will be posted on this webpage.


Phase 1: Project Start-Up (Fall 2025 - Winter 2026)


Online Survey #1: Has now closed. Thank you for your participation.


Housing Accelerator Fund Initiatives: Drop-In Open House was December 2, 2025
Couldn't make it to the meeting? You can still view the presentation under "documents"

ReZone + ReDesign Stouffville - Statutory Public Meeting for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments for Housing Accelerator Fund Initiative 1 and 2

The Statutory Public Meeting was held March 11 at 7 PM in the Town Council Chambers. See Notice of Statutory Meeting here.

Click here to view the staff report, presentation, and the changes that were proposed for community feedback. Staff took the feedback received at the Meeting to incorporate into the final recommendation to Council.

Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report

The Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report can be found here. This report highlights what we heard from the community in Phase 1 of the Zoning By-law Review and Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) initiatives. The Report summarizes feedback received through the HAF Open House, Community Survey, stakeholder meetings, and engagement activities, and will help inform the next stages of the Project. We encourage you to review this Report to see how community input is shaping the Project!

Online Survey #2 – Expanding our Housing Options
The Town of Stouffville is advancing work on HAF 1 and 2 Initiatives, including preparation of a Zoning By-law Amendment, to encourage more housing options. A second survey was posted to obtain further feedback in the expansion of housing options to inform the HAF initiatives as well as the broader project.

Current – Phase 2: Implementation and Statutory Public Consultation (Winter 2026)


Public Open House #2 and Discussion Papers


The second Public Open House occurred on April 20th. At this open house, the background discussion papers were presented for review and comments. The discussion papers will provide direction on the project moving forward. The discussion papers explore the following key topics and are linked below and on the side bar:

  1. General Principles;
  2. Rural and Agricultural Areas;
  3. Commercial Areas;
  4. Employment Areas;
  5. Residential Areas;
  6. Parking and Transportation;
  7. Minor Variances and Exceptions;
  8. Infill and Intensification in Neighbourhoods;
  9. Mid- and High-Rise Buildings.

Two focused issue briefs will also be presented, addressing Driveways, and Amenity Areas.

The discussion papers will be further refined with the input received from the community. They will be posted here once they have been finalized. If you missed the open house and didn't get a chance to comment, please feel free to send an email or correspondence to the project team at rezone@townofws.ca.

Online Survey #3 - Planning Our Future

Share your thoughts on topics that will influence zoning and urban design across Stouffville.


Employment Area Policy Review – Official Plan Amendment


The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is undertaking an Employment Area Policy Review and Official Plan Amendment (“OPA”) to update the Town’s Official Plan Employment Area policies and land use designations within the communities of Stouffville, Gormley and Vandorf.


The Town will present the Draft Employment Areas Discussion Paper, including preliminary recommendations, at the Public Open House on April 20th, 2026.


The intent of the OPA is to bring the Town’s New Official Plan (2025) into conformity with the latest provincial direction on Employment Areas, ensuring that policies reflect the revised definition of Employment Areas and support long-term economic development objectives.


A Statutory Public Meeting is anticipated in May 2026 to present the Employment Areas Discussion Paper and the proposed Draft OPA, with the Recommendation Report expected to be brought to Council in June 2026 to adopt the OPA.


For more information and project contact information please visit: cometogetherws.ca/opr.



Join the Notification List and Share Comments
We encourage you to share your comments and stay up to date by joining the project enews list. To receive project updates to your email inbox, please contact rezone@townofws.ca. Check the Key Dates section of this page for more information on engagement events.


FAQ's

What is a Zoning By-law?

Zoning By-laws are legal documents that divide a municipality into specific land use zones. They outline what types of uses and developments are allowed in each zone and set standards such as building height, setbacks, and parking requirements. These by-laws are a key tool for managing land use and guiding future development.

What are Urban Design Guidelines?

Urban Design Guidelines are a set of principles, standards, and recommendations used to shape the physical layout and aesthetic quality of urban spaces. These guidelines help ensure that new developments or changes to existing areas contribute positively to the character, functionality, and sustainability of a city or town.

Where do I find the existing Zoning By-law?

The Zoning By-law can be located at townofws.ca/ComprehensiveZoning

How do I find my zoning or the zoning of a specific location?

Please visit our interactive zoning map

Where do I find the existing Urban Design Guidelines?

The Urban Design Guidelines By-law can be located on our Town website

How do I learn more about the Housing Accelerator Fund Initiatives?

Please see this report

How do I learn more about the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan?

Information on the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan can be found at townofws.ca/housing

About the Project


The Town of Stouffville is updating our Town-Wide Comprehensive Zoning By-law and Town-Wide Urban Design Guidelines.

The Zoning By-law establishes the detailed land use regulations that implement the Town’s Official Plan, which was adopted in May 2024 and approved in September 2025.


Zoning By-laws provide regulations for development, including permitted uses, building types, setbacks, heights, and site standards.

Urban Design Guidelines provide direction on the form and character of the built environment, ensuring that new development contributes to the Town’s unique sense of place.


The Town’s current Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2010-001 was adopted in 2010 and is due to be modernized. Further to this, the Town is required by the Planning Act to update the Zoning By-law to implement the Town’s new Official Plan within three years of adoption. The accompanying new Town-wide Urban Design Guidelines will support the Town’s future vision and design objectives by guiding intensification, new development, and public realm improvements.


Once the project is complete, the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville will have an updated Comprehensive Zoning By-law and a set of Urban Design Guidelines that are forward-looking, user-friendly, and tailored to the Town’s local context. These documents will ensure that future growth and development are implemented in a manner that is consistent with the Official Plan and reflective of the community’s unique characteristics, needs, and aspirations.


Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Initiatives


The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a federal program intended to support the increase of housing across Canada as it allocates funding to assist municipalities in reducing barriers and expediting approval processes to facilitate more housing development and accelerate project timelines. Concurrently to the Town’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review, these two special studies are underway with dedicated program funding from the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) program:


  • HAF Initiative 1: Medium/High-Density Parking Study

This study reviewed and updated parking requirements for medium and high-density developments within the Town’s Strategic Growth Areas. It focused on opportunities to reduce minimum parking requirements, especially near Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs), to better support sustainable growth and transit-oriented development.

  • HAF Initiative 2: Expanding Missing Middle Housing

Following Council’s April 2024 direction, this initiative examined where it is most appropriate to allow up to four residential units per property. This study explored how different housing types, such as multiplexes and low-rise apartments, can be integrated into existing neighborhoods. The goal is to support a range of housing, encourage gentle increases in density, address housing supply gaps, and promote walkability to local amenities and transit. Urban Design Guidelines will be prepared as a part of the broader project to ensure that new infill development is well integrated within the community.


These initiatives are designed to provide valuable input to the Zoning By-law Review, helping to shape policies that reflect the Town’s vision for growth, housing choice, and community character.

The first Drop-In Open House was December 2, 2025 Couldn't make it to the meeting? You can still view the presentation boards under "documents" and provide responses to the questions on the boards here.


Overview of HAF initiative timeline:


Phase 1: Background Review and Engagement (Fall 2025)

This phase focused on research, best practices, and community consultation to inform the studies. The Project Team prepared a Background and Best Practice Review, followed by engagement opportunities to identify key issues, opportunities, and priorities. Community feedback played an essential role in shaping the direction of the project and directly informed the work completed in Phase 2.


Phase 2: Implementation and Statutory Public Consultation (Winter 2026)

In this phase, the focus shifted to preparing the draft Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment for public and Council consideration. A Statutory Public Open House and Statutory Public Meeting were held to present the draft materials and gather input. The Project Team then refined and finalized the documents for presentation to Council along with the final report for each initiative.


Phase 3: Council Adoption
This was the final phase of the HAF portion of the project. The final recommendation report, as well as Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment were brought before Council on April 15, 2026 for decision, with Council voting to support the recommendation of staff. The report can be found here.


Ways to Get Involved


Your perspective and input will help shape the future form and character of the Town! Engagement opportunities will take place throughout the Project to hear and learn from residents, share key findings and updates, and present and gather feedback on emerging ideas. Notifications about upcoming ways to get involved will be posted on this webpage.


Phase 1: Project Start-Up (Fall 2025 - Winter 2026)


Online Survey #1: Has now closed. Thank you for your participation.


Housing Accelerator Fund Initiatives: Drop-In Open House was December 2, 2025
Couldn't make it to the meeting? You can still view the presentation under "documents"

ReZone + ReDesign Stouffville - Statutory Public Meeting for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments for Housing Accelerator Fund Initiative 1 and 2

The Statutory Public Meeting was held March 11 at 7 PM in the Town Council Chambers. See Notice of Statutory Meeting here.

Click here to view the staff report, presentation, and the changes that were proposed for community feedback. Staff took the feedback received at the Meeting to incorporate into the final recommendation to Council.

Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report

The Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report can be found here. This report highlights what we heard from the community in Phase 1 of the Zoning By-law Review and Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) initiatives. The Report summarizes feedback received through the HAF Open House, Community Survey, stakeholder meetings, and engagement activities, and will help inform the next stages of the Project. We encourage you to review this Report to see how community input is shaping the Project!

Online Survey #2 – Expanding our Housing Options
The Town of Stouffville is advancing work on HAF 1 and 2 Initiatives, including preparation of a Zoning By-law Amendment, to encourage more housing options. A second survey was posted to obtain further feedback in the expansion of housing options to inform the HAF initiatives as well as the broader project.

Current – Phase 2: Implementation and Statutory Public Consultation (Winter 2026)


Public Open House #2 and Discussion Papers


The second Public Open House occurred on April 20th. At this open house, the background discussion papers were presented for review and comments. The discussion papers will provide direction on the project moving forward. The discussion papers explore the following key topics and are linked below and on the side bar:

  1. General Principles;
  2. Rural and Agricultural Areas;
  3. Commercial Areas;
  4. Employment Areas;
  5. Residential Areas;
  6. Parking and Transportation;
  7. Minor Variances and Exceptions;
  8. Infill and Intensification in Neighbourhoods;
  9. Mid- and High-Rise Buildings.

Two focused issue briefs will also be presented, addressing Driveways, and Amenity Areas.

The discussion papers will be further refined with the input received from the community. They will be posted here once they have been finalized. If you missed the open house and didn't get a chance to comment, please feel free to send an email or correspondence to the project team at rezone@townofws.ca.

Online Survey #3 - Planning Our Future

Share your thoughts on topics that will influence zoning and urban design across Stouffville.


Employment Area Policy Review – Official Plan Amendment


The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is undertaking an Employment Area Policy Review and Official Plan Amendment (“OPA”) to update the Town’s Official Plan Employment Area policies and land use designations within the communities of Stouffville, Gormley and Vandorf.


The Town will present the Draft Employment Areas Discussion Paper, including preliminary recommendations, at the Public Open House on April 20th, 2026.


The intent of the OPA is to bring the Town’s New Official Plan (2025) into conformity with the latest provincial direction on Employment Areas, ensuring that policies reflect the revised definition of Employment Areas and support long-term economic development objectives.


A Statutory Public Meeting is anticipated in May 2026 to present the Employment Areas Discussion Paper and the proposed Draft OPA, with the Recommendation Report expected to be brought to Council in June 2026 to adopt the OPA.


For more information and project contact information please visit: cometogetherws.ca/opr.



Join the Notification List and Share Comments
We encourage you to share your comments and stay up to date by joining the project enews list. To receive project updates to your email inbox, please contact rezone@townofws.ca. Check the Key Dates section of this page for more information on engagement events.


FAQ's

What is a Zoning By-law?

Zoning By-laws are legal documents that divide a municipality into specific land use zones. They outline what types of uses and developments are allowed in each zone and set standards such as building height, setbacks, and parking requirements. These by-laws are a key tool for managing land use and guiding future development.

What are Urban Design Guidelines?

Urban Design Guidelines are a set of principles, standards, and recommendations used to shape the physical layout and aesthetic quality of urban spaces. These guidelines help ensure that new developments or changes to existing areas contribute positively to the character, functionality, and sustainability of a city or town.

Where do I find the existing Zoning By-law?

The Zoning By-law can be located at townofws.ca/ComprehensiveZoning

How do I find my zoning or the zoning of a specific location?

Please visit our interactive zoning map

Where do I find the existing Urban Design Guidelines?

The Urban Design Guidelines By-law can be located on our Town website

How do I learn more about the Housing Accelerator Fund Initiatives?

Please see this report

How do I learn more about the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan?

Information on the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan can be found at townofws.ca/housing

Page last updated: 23 Apr 2026, 11:49 AM