Zoning

By-law 8149/24 applies to the entire City of Pickering, except for the lands within the areas marked as Brock Mixed Node and Kingston Road Corridor on the Zoning By-law 8149/24 Interactive Map and remain subject to one of the former zoning by-laws that were not repealed but superseded by Zoning By-law 8149/24. The former zoning by-laws are not available online and the process of updating zoning for the properties not subject to Zoning By-law 8149/24 is ongoing. To find zoning information for these properties, the submission of a Zoning Information Request is required.

Zoning information is provided through a Request for Zoning and will not be provided over the phone or at the City Development front counter.

An Application for a Preliminary Zoning Review is a preliminary zoning review of plans to confirm zoning compliance and will also identify non-compliances. The fee includes one revision to the drawings as part of the review. Any subsequent changes (beyond the first revision) resulting in an additional review will be treated as a new application. Reviewed plans will be digitally stamped for zoning compliance. The stamped plans will be compared with plans submitted later for minor variance and site plan applications to confirm consistency between the plans. A response to preliminary zoning review will be issued by email.

A preliminary zoning review does not replace the zoning review conducted as part of a Building Permit Application.

In addition to the City Zoning By-law requirements, there may be further matters under the jurisdiction of other approval agencies, such as Provincial Conservation Authorities, Elexicon, the Region of Durham or other municipal or provincial authorities.

The Planning Act authorizes the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) to make a minister’s zoning order (MZO) for regulating the use of land, buildings and structures anywhere in Ontario. The MZO prevails if there is a conflict between an MZO and a City zoning by-law. Minister’s zoning orders applicable to the City of Pickering are found on the Minister’s Zoning Orders page. For more information on MZOs please see the Ministry’s Citizens Guide to Land Use Planning or contact Provincial staff.

The following is a list of MZOs issued by the Province of Ontario that are currently in place in Pickering. This information is provided for convenience only and the City of Pickering is not responsible for ensuring their accuracy.

How do I know what uses are permitted on my property? What happens if my use is not listed?

Each zone has its own set of permitted uses. To determine the permitted uses for your property, please refer to the applicable permitted uses tables outlined in Zoning By-law 8149/24. You may follow the instructions provided above to determine other zoning provisions such as building setbacks and gross floor area for your property or submit a Zoning Information Request for a written response outlining the applicable zoning provisions.

If a use you are looking for is not listed in the zone’s permitted uses, that use is not permitted. Please contact the City’s planner of the day for more information on a potential Official Plan Amendment and/or Zoning By-law Amendment Application.

What should I do if my address does not appear on the Interactive Zoning Map?

The interactive mapping tool is in the process of being updated. While most properties are included, some may not display as expected. If you cannot find your address, you may zoom in on the map to find your property's location and cross-reference it with other mapping tools like Open Street Map or Google Maps. You may also submit a Zoning Information Request or contact the City's zoning staff for further assistance.

Why do some properties have an ‘H’ after the zone?

The "H" stands for a "Holding Symbol." A holding symbol indicates that permitted uses and further development on the property are restricted until certain conditions are met (for example, the connection of the property to municipal services).

To find the specific conditions required for a holding symbol to be lifted, you must refer to the corresponding provisions in the Zoning By-law for that property, often found in a site-specific exception zone. Once the required conditions have been fulfilled, the holding symbol can be removed by Council, and the range of permitted development is applicable.

How do I find information about easements on my property?

The City does not maintain records of easements. This information can be obtained from the Ontario Land Property Records Portal (OnLand), which provides access to historical and current property records.

Do I require a permit for driveway widening?

Yes, a driveway widening permit is required, and a curb cut may be necessary to extend your driveway. For more details, please visit the City’s Driveway Widening and Curb Cuts webpage.