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Determine your property's current zoning designation, which will dictate its permitted uses and development potential. This information is often available through municipal planning departments or online resources. Understand what you want to achieve through rezoning.
Discover the intricacies of property rezoning in Canada with this comprehensive guide. Dive into historical backgrounds, understand challenges, explore future trends, and arm yourself with best practices. Essential reading for urban planners, developers, and property enthusiasts alike.
Rezoning is the process of changing the designated zoning category or designation of a piece of property. Zoning determines how land can be used, the types of structures that can be built, and the density of development allowed. Property owners typically seek rezoning for various reasons, such as:
- Survey your property and surrounding area. Do a general survey of your property and the surrounding land. You may be in a residential area with only houses and no shops.
- Do your research on the rules in your area. Learning the zoning rules in your area is critical to following the steps to rezoning in the most efficient way possible.
- Talk with your surrounding neighbors or landowners. They will have a say in your rezoning process. It is essential to talk with them and discuss your intentions with your property.
- Application to rezone. Once you have a good idea of the current zoning rules and have done your due diligence, this is the time to open a rezoning application with your planning department.
- Overview
- Researching Zoning and Other Municipal Rules
- Applying for Rezoning
- Appealing a Zoning Decision
Most counties and municipalities have specific zoning specifications for every property within the community, including residential, commercial, industrial agricultural and mixed use. Within each class are subcategories that specify building details like frontage and land requirements. Often, a property owner would like to rezone a property so that...
Find out the zoning category for the neighborhood in which you are interested.
Contact the local municipal planning and building department. Ask them into what zoning category your desired neighborhood falls.
A typical zoning category is single-family residential. This means that the principal permitted uses of property in this neighborhood include single-family dwellings, churches, schools, parks and community facilities.
A multi-family residential zoning district allows multi-family structures. These include condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, apartments and group homes.
A transitional zoning district is at the junction of commercial, residential, public and industrial areas. This means that residential lots exist near busy roads with many stores or other commercial buildings. Residential properties are allowed to have limited office or commercial space, but the residential character of the home must be maintained.
Mixed-use zoning areas are common in high-density population areas where commercial, residential, cultural and industrial properties must coexist. These zoning districts allow a mix of single-family and multi-family residential units with commercial businesses and services. This kind of zoning results in compact development, which allows for efficiency of land use while reducing energy consumption and transportation costs.
Go to the office of planning and building in your municipality. Ask for an application to petition for rezoning. You will need to know the existing zoning classification of the property and the category to which you want to change it. Bring a map and parcel number of the property with you.
You will need to specify the existing land use and how you plan to use the property differently.
Fees for the application vary depending on the size of the property. Expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 for less than an acre to $5,000 for 25 acres or more.
Know the time limit for submitting an application. Your municipality will require you to submit your application within a certain amount of time before the next scheduled meeting of the planning commission.
File an appeal with your city council or county commission.
If your zoning application is denied, you may be able to file an appeal with your local governing body. You will have to pay additional filing fees. The appeal process may take up to two months to go through the system. An appeal must be filed within a specific time period after the public hearing for your zoning application.
Dispute the zoning board’s decision.
You have a chance of convincing your governing body to reverse the zoning board’s decision if you can show that the decision deprives you of your right to use the property. Demonstrate how your intentions for the property do not negatively impact the surrounding area. Also, point out whether the board’s decision was arbitrary or was not supported by the facts.
In addition, you might be able to demonstrate that the board’s decision
did not meet the legal requirements for an adverse decision
- 482.9K
If you want to use or develop your property in a way that is not allowed by a Zoning By-Law, you may have to apply for a Zoning change, also known as a Rezoning or a Zoning By-Law Amendment.
People also ask
What is rezoning a property?
When do you need rezoning a property?
How do I rezone my property?
How is a rezoning request documented?
How do you Rezon a property?
What should a property owner look for in a rezoning plan?
Check to see if your property is located within one of these areas, and if so, what land use and zoning is planned. Zoning By-law and Maps - Zoning maps show the existing zoning of your property. Refer to Surrey Zoning By-law No. 12000 to see the zoning and regulations necessary for your project.
