Description
The City of Niagara Falls has initiated an amendment to Zoning By-law No. 79-200 to update and implement policies and regulations to reflect Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 changes regarding permissions for Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs).
The Provincial Planning Statement, 2024, introduced policies allowing up to two Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) on lots within prime agricultural areas where residential dwellings are permitted, in accordance with provincial guidelines. The proposed Zoning By-law amendment seeks to align with these policies by updating regulations to permit two ADUs in rural areas.
Additionally, the following amendments are proposed:
• Update regulations to include all applicable dwelling types and zones where ADUs are permitted as of right by the Province;
• Establish a provision for a landscape strip to be provided in the required side yard for a detached ADU;
• Establish setback requirements for detached ADUs on a corner lot;
• As per provincial guidelines, update lot coverage regulations to permit a maximum of 45% lot coverage for all buildings and structures on a lot with a detached ADU;
• Introduce separate height regulations for urban and rural detached ADUs, including a proposed reduction in height for
detached ADUs in urban areas; and,
• Introduce regulations to restrict openings on facades of detached ADUs above a certain height; and
• Update the definitions for ‘additional dwelling unit’ and ‘parcel of rural land’ to incorporate the proposed changes.
Digital copies of plans and documents submitted with the application may be obtained on the Planning Department Current Applications webpage.
