The City of Pickering has recently adopted new Integrated Sustainable Design Standards (ISDS) for all new development in the city to replace the 2007 Sustainable Development Guidelines.

The new standards consist of two tiers of performance criteria. Tier 1 elements would be required for all new developments arising from Site Plans and Subdivision applications deemed complete on or after January 1, 2023. The purpose of the Pickering Integrated Sustainable Design Standards (ISDS) is to replace the 2007 Sustainable Development Guidelines and develop a new set of standards that allows the City to review development through a lens that includes modern, green best practices and technology.

Draft ISDS User Guide

Approved revised Checklist: Low-Rise

Approved revised Checklist: Mid to High-Rise Residential & Non-Residential

Resident Education Information Package Resource Guide

Prior to January 1, 2023, Site Plans and Subdivision applications will still require to comply with the 2007 Sustainable Development Guidelines and to meet at least a rating of "Level 1", with some minor exceptions (Council Resolution #255/09). The draft guidelines identify required and optional sustainability elements for neighbourhoods as well as draft plans, site plans, rezoning applications and building permits.

2007 Sustainable Development Guidelines

Guideline #1 - Neighbourhood Guidelines

Guideline #2 - Plan of Subdivision, Site Plan, Rezoning, and Building Permit Guidelines 

Visit letstalkpickering.ca/standards to learn more. 

Background
On November 22, 2021 City Council meeting, staff received approval to begin the process of updating the City’s Sustainable Development Guidelines for new development and re-development. The standards, first created and implemented in 2007, positioned the City of Pickering as a leader in sustainable building and development. These 2007 Sustainable Development Guidelines identified required and optional sustainability elements for neighbourhoods as well as subdivision plans, site plans, rezoning applications and building permits.  

Since then, green development practices have evolved and it’s important that these guidelines reflect the innovative green best practices and technology of today, as well as the work being done by both the City and Region of Durham to address climate change, support urban forests, pollinators, waste reduction, water conservation, energy efficiency, and improve access to local food and greenspaces.

Funding 
This work will be funded through The Atmospheric Fund (TAF), as the City received an $86,000 grant. The Region of Durham will also contribute $10,000 to support these efforts. With this funding, the City has retained Urban Equation Corp., a consulting firm with significant expertise in the field of sustainable community building, to lead this exciting project.
Project Status

The Integrated Sustainable Design Standards will be completed in four phases:

Phase 1: Launch and first draft of Integrated Sustainable Design Standards.

Phase 2: Content development and second draft of Integrated Sustainable Design Standards.

Phase 3: Final Integrated Sustainable Design Standards to Planning & Development Committee and City Council for consideration of approval.

Phase 4: Other Resource Tools and Training Workshops released. 

The City is currently within Phase 4 of the development of the new standards. 

Reports, Videos, and Other Documents 

Project Initiation:

Report PLN 43-21

 

Phase 1:

Public Workshop

Public Survey Summary

Development Community Survey Summary

Public Workshop # 1

 

Phase 2:

2nd Draft Checklist - Low-Rise 

2nd Draft Checklist - Mid to High-Rise Res & Non-Res

Draft ISDS User Guide 

Public Workshop # 2 

 

Phase 3: 

PLN 38-22

Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Approved revised Checklist: Low-Rise

Approved revised Checklist: Mid to High-Rise Residential & Non-Residential 

Get Involved

Visit letstalkpickering.ca/standards to learn more about project processes, surveys, and workshops. 

If you would like to be added to the interested party list, please email standards@pickering.ca. Alternatively, you can sign-up for email notifications on website updates only, by subscribing below.

Under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, unless otherwise stated in the submission, any personal information included in a submission will become part of the public record.