Minimum Parking and Parking Rates in Rural Villages

Friends in the Osgoode Ward,

During the April 16, 2025 City Council Meeting, which I always attend, there was a Motion put forward with respect to Minimum Parking Rates for Villages. This would have an impact in the Osgoode Ward; therefore, I reached out to the New Zoning Bylaw Team of the City of Ottawa for clarification and an understanding of how this will impact residents and businesses in the Osgoode Ward.

Please see my questions and the answers from the New Zoning Bylaw Team;

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Hi Greg,

1. GREGORY VAIL QUESTION: When does the City anticipate adopting these new By-law and Zoning measures? I understand that Council will vote on the issue, but when will the amendment be presented for consideration and approval/denial? In your opinion, if not your direction.

ANSWER FROM THE NEW ZONING BYLAW TEAM: The final Draft (Draft 3) of new Zoning By-law is anticipated to go to Joint Committee of the Planning and Housing Committee and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee in December 2025. The By-law is scheduled to receive final Council approval in early 2026. Please note that Council passed a motion related to parking rates in Villages at its meeting on April 16, 2025 as part of consideration of Draft 2 of the new Zoning By-law. Council directed staff to include a minimum parking rate of one parking space per dwelling unit in Village Residential Zones. This new provision will be included in the final draft, scheduled to be released for public consultation purposes on September 8, 2025. Please see page 2 in this link to Document 3 of the report for Draft 2 of the Zoning By-law, which provides a summary of the Council direction. All documents relating to the new Zoning By-law project are available on Engage Ottawa.

2. GREGORY VAIL QUESTION: Will there be a cost to residents associated with these proposed measures and plans, if implemented?

ANSWER FROM THE NEW ZONING BYLAW TEAM:  Zoning By-law does not directly have charges associated with it. Fees and charges that apply under the Building Code Act associated with the issuance of a building permit will continue to apply, however those charges are not related to provisions in the Zoning By-law. 

When a municipality adopts a new Official Plan, the Planning Act requires the municipality to update its zoning by-law within three years of the Official Plan coming into effect. The new Official Plan came into effect in November 2022, and is needed to implement the policies in the new Official Plan.  The new Zoning By-law is simpler than the current Zoning By-law 2008-250 and broadens permissions for uses in accordance with the Official Plan policies. One of the objectives of the new Zoning By-law is to reduce barriers, and to allow development that conforms with the Official Plan to go ahead with fewer costly development applications under the Planning Act that are currently required before development can proceed.  

Thank you,

The New Zoning By-law Team