Growing Space for Trees: Protecting and Enhancing the Tree Canopy While Supporting Infill Housing and Addressing Concerns with Iceberg Homes - Recommendation Report

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The decision

2026-02-04 · Toronto City Council · referred

As filed

City Council on February 4, 2026, referred Item PH27.1 to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and requested a report to the earliest possible Planning and Housing Committee with an assessment of: a. impacts of the proposed Official Plan policies on enabling the implementation and uptake of multiplex and other infill development projects; b. impacts of the proposed changes on construction of new swimming pools, including any potential revisions to minimize additional approval processes and/or costs for applicants; and c.

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the prevalence of permits issued for small-scale apartment buildings in residential zones on major streets with larger below ground footprints than above-ground footprints.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

Toronto's trees are essential in addressing biodiversity loss, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and contributing to the development of attractive, livable and healthy neighbourhoods. New infill housing is needed to help address Toronto's housing crisis. This report presents proactive solutions to ensure the city's existing tree canopy is supported and that there is growing space for trees as new housing is built.

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This report recommends Official Plan and City-wide Zoning By-law amendments to protect and enhance the city's tree canopy while supporting infill housing development and to address the impacts on the tree canopy and water management associated with iceberg homes (houses which exhibit a larger below ground footprint than their above ground footprint or with multi-storey basements). Staff undertook extensive consultation on the amendments and have made revisions following feedback from the public and stakeholders. Recommended amendments to the Official Plan address objectives to protect and enhance the tree canopy and growing space for trees as part of both new and infill development in Neighbourhoods and Apartment Neighbourhoods. Recommended amendments to the City-wide Zoning By-law address landscaping and setback regulations, including requirements that apply minimum building setbacks below ground (consistent with existing setbacks above ground) for all low-rise residential buildings (e.g. detached houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses, and multiplexes), except for apartment buildings, in the Residential Zone category. This report also describes updates to conditions for Committee of Adjustment applications to require new trees and protect growing space, as well as five specific tree by-law amendment proposals that were consulted on in the fall that will be discussed in detail in a future report on the City's tree by-laws.

Staff recommended

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry recommend that: 1. City Council adopt the Official Plan Amendment 857 in accordance with Attachment 1. 2. City Council adopt the Zoning By-law Amendment in accordance with Attachment 3. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the recommended Official Plan Amendment 857 and Zoning By-law Amendment referred to in Recommendations 1 and 2 as may be required.

Considered

2026-01-22 · Planning and Housing Committee · amended
Decision as filed
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the Official Plan Amendment 857 in accordance with Attachment 1 to the report (November 18, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry. 2. City Council adopt the Zoning By-law Amendment in accordance with Attachment 3 to the report (November 18, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry.
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3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the recommended Official Plan Amendment 857 and Zoning By-law Amendment referred to in Recommendations 1 and 2 as may be required. 4. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to consider, as part of the forthcoming report to Council on the Residential Parking Program Review, options to improve the ease and reduce the costs at which the residential on-street permit parking program can be administered, obtained, and implemented on streets or areas of Ward 23 and/or other wards where there may be an abundance of multi-generational homes and multiplexes. 5. City Council request the Executive Director, Development Review and the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, to report on opportunities to better streamline and coordinate the application processes for tree removal permits and minor variances.
Clerk’s note
The Planning and Housing Committee commenced a Statutory Public Meeting on December 3, 2025 that continued on January 22, 2026, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.
2026-02-04 · Toronto City Council · referred

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