Zoning Bylaw Rewrite

A Zoning Bylaw governs what kind of development can occur and how property and land can be used within the city.

The proposed new Zoning Bylaw 2025-37 reflects significant engagement with residents, stakeholders and experts in community planning over the past two years as well as best practices in municipal governance.

The proposed Zoning Bylaw contains many changes from the current bylaw, including:

• It has been reorganized and simplified, and the number of different zones and uses has been reduced, resulting in more flexible regulations that are easier to understand and apply.
• Changes to the zoning rules that are intended to make it easier to build more homes:
  • Allowing taller buildings in residential and commercial zones (the amount taller depends on the zone).
  • Increasing the maximum site coverage and reducing the front setback in some residential zones where two or more homes are provided.
  • Allowing more homes per lot in Old Town (downtown west of 6^th Avenue).
• Allowing supportive housing by right in all residential zones and offering new zoning benefits for qualifying affordable housing developments.
• Reducing minimum parking requirements in the downtown and nearby neighbourhoods, and in neighbourhood shopping areas, to encourage housing development and more compact transit- and pedestrian-oriented commercial development.
• Improving standards for quantity and quality of bicycle parking
• New regulations for short-term rentals (STRs):
  • Residential zones (where the first letter of the zone code is ‘R’):
    • primary residence requirement - the STR could be in the operator’s own residence while they are away (subject to a limit of 6 months per year), or full-time in a living or garden suite
    • limit of one per property
    • No property in a residential zone can be used solely as a full-time STR
  • Commercial zones (where the first letter of the zone code is ‘C’)
    • Primary residence not required – the STR could be operated full-time in a dwelling that does not have a regular resident
    • No limit on the number allowed per property
• New content that recognizes First Nation legislation alongside that of other levels of government, and that specifically identifies that the spirit and intent of First Nation Final Agreements and Self-Government Agreements should be considered in the decision-making process for zoning amendment and conditional use review processes.
• Updated and simplified urban design requirements and guidelines:
  • Incorporate winter cities design principles
  • Promote efficient use of land downtown with a minimum floor area ratio for new developments
  • Promote street-fronting buildings
  • Promote pedestrian connectivity
  • Clearer landscaping requirements, with firesmart principles incorporated
  • Reduce light pollution
• Encouraging local food and urban agriculture with clearer and more permissive rules.

Timeline

Why is a new Zoning Bylaw needed?
The City of Whitehorse adopted a new Whitehorse 2040 Official Community Plan(External link) (OCP) in 2023. In accordance with territorial legislation, the Zoning Bylaw needs to be updated to align with the new OCP.

How does the Zoning Bylaw rewrite impact me?
The Zoning Bylaw governs what kind of development can occur and how property and land can be used within the city. It sets out requirements regarding development and outlines permissible uses for different types of land and property within the city. When residents or property owners are planning to develop or alter a property or change how a property or area of land is used, they need to follow the Zoning Bylaw.

What is the relationship between the OCP and Zoning Bylaw?
The OCP guides the City as it grows over the coming decades. The plan establishes our objectives for growth and development. The Act mandates that the Zoning Bylaw needs to be updated within two years of adoption of the new OCP. The Zoning Bylaw uses the OCP planning framework to guide development.

How can I review the proposed Zoning Bylaw?

You can find links to the proposed Zoning Bylaw on this page (under documents). Residents can also review the proposed Zoning Bylaw by visiting:

• City Hall (2nd Avenue and Steel Street)
• The Building Services office (Calcite Business Centre - #6 - 151 Industrial Road)
• The Canada Games Centre (200 Hamilton Boulevard)
• The Bylaw Services office at the Public Safety Building (305 Range Road)