Zoning By-law 6000-17

What is the Zoning By-law?

The Zoning By-law is a legal document that; regulates the use of land, applies performance standards such as setbacks, lot sizes and height, sets general provisions such as parking requirements, permitted ancillary uses, and provisi​ons applying to non-conforming buildings and includes bylaw definitions and by-law enforcement criteria. The Zoning By-law regulates development and uses on all lands within the Town of Aurora. The Zoning Bylaw and amendments to the Bylaw are applied by authority under Section 34 of the Planning Act. 

What is the purpose of a Zoning B​y-law?

The Zoning By-​law implements the goals and policies as outlined in Town of Aurora's Official Plan.  Zoning standards and associated mapping separates lands into distinct classifications such as residential, commercial, industrial, open space and environmental protection zones. Within each zone category standards are further outlined to address such matters as types of permitted uses, appropriate lot size and setbacks of buildings. These standards provide legally enforceable regulations for development, which is administrated by the Town's Building Services division to ensure the Town's standards are upheld. 

Why is the Town conducting a Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review?

The Town's current Bylaw 2213-78, has been updated over time, but a comprehensive review has not been undertaken since the Bylaw's approval in 1979. New legislation in the Planning Act requires municipalities to update its Zoning Bylaw within three years of a new Official Plan coming into effect. The Town's Official Plan came into effect on August 14, 2012. The goal of the Comprehensive Zoning Review is to revise and update our current zoning standards primarily to implement the policies of the Town's Official Plan, incorporate new standards for the Aurora Promenade and also update standards related to the general provisions to apply current progressive planning practice and regulations.

Review Process

The Comprehensive Bylaw Review is being conducted to assess the structural components of the Bylaw as listed below. Technical Papers will be prepared to identify issues specific to each of these categories and will be posted with updates on the web site.

  • Definitions and Interpretation
  • General Provisions
  • Parking Standards
  • Residential Provisions
  • Commercial Provisions
  • The Aurora Promenade
  • Industrial and Business Park Provisions
  • Institutional Provisions
  • Open Space and Environmental Protection Provisions
  • Oak Ridges Moraine Provisions
  • Site Specific Exceptions
  • Administration and Enforcement

A number of known By-law issues that also need to be addressed in the Comprehensive Review, include the following:

  • Bylaw provisions which are no longer relevant;
  • Outdated performance standards;
  • Uses/terms which are poorly defined

Technical Papers