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 will review and update parking requirements for medium and high-density developments within the Town’s Strategic Growth Areas. It will focus 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 will examine where it is most appropriate to allow up to four residential units per property. This study will explore 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. As part of this project, urban design guidelines will also be developed to ensure 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.



Overview of HAF initiative timeline:


Current: Phase 1: Background Review and Engagement (Fall 2025)

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


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

In this phase, the focus shifts 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 will be held to present the draft materials and gather input. The Project Team will then refine and finalize the documents for presentation to Council along with the final report for each initiative.



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.


Current - Phase 1: Project Start-Up (Fall 2025)


Online Survey

Planning staff want to hear from you!



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"

Stay tuned for an in-person open house to seek public feedback regarding the ‘HAF Initiative 1: Medium/High-Density Parking Study’ and ‘HAF Initiative 2: Expanding Missing Middle Housing’ in early December or early January.


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

Stay tuned for more information in the new year.


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 will review and update parking requirements for medium and high-density developments within the Town’s Strategic Growth Areas. It will focus 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 will examine where it is most appropriate to allow up to four residential units per property. This study will explore 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. As part of this project, urban design guidelines will also be developed to ensure 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.



Overview of HAF initiative timeline:


Current: Phase 1: Background Review and Engagement (Fall 2025)

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


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

In this phase, the focus shifts 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 will be held to present the draft materials and gather input. The Project Team will then refine and finalize the documents for presentation to Council along with the final report for each initiative.



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.


Current - Phase 1: Project Start-Up (Fall 2025)


Online Survey

Planning staff want to hear from you!



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"

Stay tuned for an in-person open house to seek public feedback regarding the ‘HAF Initiative 1: Medium/High-Density Parking Study’ and ‘HAF Initiative 2: Expanding Missing Middle Housing’ in early December or early January.


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

Stay tuned for more information in the new year.


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: 03 Dec 2025, 06:35 PM