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Zoning Bylaw Rewrite

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We're rewriting our Zoning Bylaw (ZB) to make it clearer and easier to use, streamline regulations, support and encourage economic growth, align with current policy documents (including the new Official Community Plan [OCP]), and better reflect community needs to support growth and development.

You can stay informed by subscribing to the project.


What is a Zoning Bylaw?
A Zoning Bylaw is a document required by the Yukon Municipal Act (the Act) that sets out regulations for land uses and development within a municipality.

The purpose of the City’s Zoning Bylaw is to:

  • Implement the policy direction provided in the City’s new OCP and other Council-approved plans and policies.
  • Organize the municipality into zones (ex. residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) and set out permitted uses for each zone.
  • Set standards for the height, appearance, size, and location of buildings.
  • Determine parking, signage, and landscaping design standards.
  • Guide the permit and rezoning process.


Why is a new Zoning Bylaw needed?
The current Zoning Bylaw was adopted in 2012, and although it has been updated periodically throughout its life, a new bylaw is required to help implement the new OCP and reflect changing community values since the 2012 bylaw was adopted. The Zoning Bylaw is being rewritten to make it clearer and easier to use, streamline regulations, support and encourage economic growth, align with the new OCP, and better reflect community needs to support growth and development.


How does the Zoning Bylaw rewrite impact me?
Zoning regulations shape our neighbourhoods. They regulate building heights, setbacks and the types of development allowed on a property, in a specific neighbourhood or zone. If you are planning to develop or change your existing property or its use after the new Zoning Bylaw has been approved, the new regulations will apply. If you are not planning to develop or alter your existing property, what currently exists on your property will not need to be altered to meet new regulations, provided it was allowed in the first place (ex. Your current shed may not meet the new regulations, but that’s ok, it can stay as-is. However, if you decide to alter it or build a new one, you will need to ensure it meets the new regulations).

What is the relationship between the OCP and Zoning Bylaw?
The Whitehorse 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) guides the City as it grows over the coming decades. The plan establishes our objectives for growth and development. The Act mandates that the Zoning Bylaw needs to be updated within two years of adoption of the new OCP. The Zoning Bylaw uses the OCP planning framework to guide development.

We're rewriting our Zoning Bylaw (ZB) to make it clearer and easier to use, streamline regulations, support and encourage economic growth, align with current policy documents (including the new Official Community Plan [OCP]), and better reflect community needs to support growth and development.

You can stay informed by subscribing to the project.


What is a Zoning Bylaw?
A Zoning Bylaw is a document required by the Yukon Municipal Act (the Act) that sets out regulations for land uses and development within a municipality.

The purpose of the City’s Zoning Bylaw is to:

  • Implement the policy direction provided in the City’s new OCP and other Council-approved plans and policies.
  • Organize the municipality into zones (ex. residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) and set out permitted uses for each zone.
  • Set standards for the height, appearance, size, and location of buildings.
  • Determine parking, signage, and landscaping design standards.
  • Guide the permit and rezoning process.


Why is a new Zoning Bylaw needed?
The current Zoning Bylaw was adopted in 2012, and although it has been updated periodically throughout its life, a new bylaw is required to help implement the new OCP and reflect changing community values since the 2012 bylaw was adopted. The Zoning Bylaw is being rewritten to make it clearer and easier to use, streamline regulations, support and encourage economic growth, align with the new OCP, and better reflect community needs to support growth and development.


How does the Zoning Bylaw rewrite impact me?
Zoning regulations shape our neighbourhoods. They regulate building heights, setbacks and the types of development allowed on a property, in a specific neighbourhood or zone. If you are planning to develop or change your existing property or its use after the new Zoning Bylaw has been approved, the new regulations will apply. If you are not planning to develop or alter your existing property, what currently exists on your property will not need to be altered to meet new regulations, provided it was allowed in the first place (ex. Your current shed may not meet the new regulations, but that’s ok, it can stay as-is. However, if you decide to alter it or build a new one, you will need to ensure it meets the new regulations).

What is the relationship between the OCP and Zoning Bylaw?
The Whitehorse 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) guides the City as it grows over the coming decades. The plan establishes our objectives for growth and development. The Act mandates that the Zoning Bylaw needs to be updated within two years of adoption of the new OCP. The Zoning Bylaw uses the OCP planning framework to guide development.

  • Zoning Bylaw Rewrite Advisory Group Opportunity

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    The City of Whitehorse is forming an advisory group to assist the City and its Consultant, ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd., with the Zoning Bylaw Rewrite project. The group will meet periodically with the Consultant to provide information and advice to ISL as they work through the stages of the project.

    The application period to join this group has closed and members have been selected. Thank you to everyone who applied to join this group.

  • Initial Round of Housing-Related Amendments

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    There will be a first round of amendments to the Zoning Bylaw to address immediate housing challenges in the community before focusing on the entire Zoning Bylaw content. Housing related amendments will be developed based on recommendations provided by the Housing and Land Development Advisory Committee. These initial amendments will address short- and medium-term housing challenges, which will provide the basis for longer-term housing related solutions to be developed in the complete Zoning Bylaw Rewrite in Phase 2.

Page last updated: 05 Nov 2024, 04:38 PM