Toronto Moves Forward with Sweeping Zoning Reforms to Unlock Thousands of New Homes

City Council committee reviews new policies to accelerate development of sixplexes, mid-rise housing, and apartment infill across Toronto

Toronto, ON — The City of Toronto is taking major steps to address the housing crisis and meet Ontario’s target of 285,000 new homes in the city by 2031. On June 12, the Planning and Housing Committee reviewed six reports proposing zoning changes aimed at increasing housing supply across residential neighbourhoods, transit corridors, and existing apartment sites.

The proposed changes represent a bold and comprehensive approach to modernizing Toronto’s housing policies. Among the most significant is a recommendation to allow five- and six-unit multiplexes across all residential neighbourhoods — an expansion of previous rules that only permitted up to four units. The change would apply to both new construction and conversions of existing detached houses.

In addition, City staff released a Multiplex Monitoring Report confirming the steady increase in multiplex construction and proposing further bylaw simplifications to support this trend. A Neighbourhood Intensification Bulletin accompanying the reports estimates that Toronto’s suite of “gentle density” initiatives — including laneway suites, garden suites, and multiplexes — could result in up to 54,600 new homes by 2031 and as many as 163,785 by 2051.

Other key recommendations include:

• Avenues Policy Review (Phase Two): Expands permissions for mid-rise buildings, typically six to 11 storeys, along major transit corridors to support the development of complete communities near shops, services, and public transportation.

• Apartment Infill Study: Proposes citywide zoning changes that would allow new housing to be built on more than 5,000 existing apartment tower sites. This includes infill construction and the adaptive reuse of underutilized space, while maintaining Toronto’s current rental stock.

Taken together, these reports are designed to unlock new housing potential in every part of the city. They also support Toronto’s commitments under the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, which provides $471.1 million in funding to the City in exchange for removing regulatory barriers and expediting new housing supply.

A separate Development Pipeline 2024 report was also released, showing that Toronto now has the largest housing development pipeline in its history — with 854,898 proposed homes and 2,335 active projects. Between 2020 and 2024, Toronto accounted for half of all completed homes in the Greater Toronto Area, doubling its share of regional housing completions compared to the 1990s.

Quotes

“The City of Toronto is using the tools available to us to update planning rules and make it easier to build housing in more places citywide,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “In the midst of an urgent housing crisis, these changes will help accelerate the construction of new homes and support complete communities across Toronto.”

“These recommendations are based on in-depth research and data and illustrate the range of housing opportunities that could be available to Torontonians in the years ahead,” added Councillor Gord Perks (Parkdale–High Park), Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee. “The proposed zoning bylaw amendments can help unlock many more homes, but also enable more vibrant, thriving neighbourhoods for current and future residents across the city.”

More details and full reports can be accessed on the City’s Planning and Housing Committee webpage: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/#/committees/2565/25784

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