Winnipeg, MB – Council has approved amendments to the Winnipeg and Downtown Zoning By-laws. The amendments approved yesterday are expected to speed up housing construction and increase housing density in existing neighbourhoods.
The changes will allow single-family detached dwellings, two-family dwellings or two-family semi-detached dwellings, and multi-family dwellings with up to three units in mature communities. Council’s adoption of these amendments into the City’s Zoning By-law also allows for the incremental implementation of the Council-approved Small-Scale and Low-Rise Infill Development Guidelines for Mature Communities as regulations.
Other changes included as part of these amendments include:
- Permitting detached secondary suites in established neighbourhoods
- Reducing parking requirements for affordable housing, multi-family housing in mature communities, and for development along portions of Portage Avenue and Pembina Highway
- More options for outdoor patios permitted throughout the city
- Easier permissions for developing public washrooms downtown
"These zoning by-law amendments are a continued step forward in our commitment to addressing Winnipeg's housing needs and approving more units, more quickly” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “By streamlining the approval process and encouraging diverse housing options, we are increasing housing availability for all residents in our rapidly growing city."
“Streamlining City processes and improving options and permissions as part of the Rapid Zoning By-law Amendments initiative will help contribute towards greater housing options and availability, and make it easier to develop important public amenities for residents,” said Sherri Rollins, Chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development.
The amendments approved at Council yesterday are considered the second phase of Rapid Zoning By-law Amendments, which is an action plan initiative included in the City’s application to the Housing Accelerator Fund.
When completed, the Rapid Zoning By-law Amendments process is expected to streamline zoning rules to increase housing density, promote infill development, and expand missing middle housing city-wide. The City is planning two more phases of zoning by-law updates between now and 2027.