Perth zoning bylaw changes would allow fourplexes and new floodplain zoning
The Town of Perth has completed a major overhaul of its zoning bylaw, marking the first comprehensive update in nearly 30 years.
A public meeting was held May 20, where staff and consultants unveiled the draft bylaw aimed at modernizing development rules, improving accessibility and creating more housing options.
Forbes Symon, senior planner with JP2G Consultants Inc., presented the document and said the rewrite follows the town’s recently updated Official Plan while reflecting provincial policy changes tied to Ontario’s housing crisis.
“This option that I have before you, I’m deeming it to be a CMHC-compliant option,” Symon told council, referring to criteria established by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
One of the most significant changes is a restructuring of residential zoning. Perth currently has four residential zones separating single detached homes, duplexes and higher-density housing. Under the proposed system, the town would move to two primary residential zones.
The draft R1 zone would allow single detached homes, semis, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes as permitted uses, while the R4 zone would accommodate townhouses and buildings with more than four units.
Symon said the shift is intended to align Perth with federal affordable housing programs and modern planning practices.
“One of the criteria that CMHC has is that your base residential density has, as of right, four residential units,” he said.
The proposed bylaw would also formally recognize additional residential units, sometimes called granny suites or basement apartments, using updated provincial terminology.
Another notable feature is the creation of a dedicated floodplain zone. Rather than treating floodplain regulations as a general provision, the draft would establish a separate “FP” zone to better identify vulnerable lands.
Symon said the change reflects increasing concerns about severe weather and insurance risks.
“Floodplains are becoming more and more of a prominent issue,” he said.
The draft also proposes making zoning maps easier to read and more accessible by replacing colour-coded schedules with symbols and letters to better accommodate people with colour blindness.
Definitions throughout the bylaw are also being updated to remove outdated language and reduce legal confusion. New definitions for terms such as “light pollution,” “adverse effect,” “affordable ownership” and “watercourse” are being added.
“Definitions are one of the more significant and important elements of a zoning bylaw. Many of the current definitions are dated or missing. There is specific legal direction to remove any regulatory elements from definitions,” explained Joanna Bowes, Perth’s director of Development Services.
The draft also removes minimum dwelling unit size requirements, which planners increasingly view as barriers to affordable housing.
Parking standards are expected to become a major point of discussion before the bylaw returns for approval. Symon noted Perth currently requires two parking spaces per dwelling unit and suggested council may wish to revisit that standard as density increases.
“Single-family dwellings have always required two parking spaces. To Forbes’ point, if we’re looking at density based on parking, then the larger number of parking spaces you require will mean slightly less density,” said Bowes.
“I think the filter in the future for density comes down to the ability to provide parking,” added Symon.
Public comments on the draft zoning bylaw are being accepted until May 27 before the document returns to council for further revisions and eventual approval consideration.
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