Zoning is a process that establishes categories or zones for every property within the municipality. Each zone specifies certain permitted uses and regulations for that particular zone along with other general regulations.
Zoning
A By-law of The Corporation of the Town of Innisfil to consolidate the Zoning By-Laws of the former Township of Innisfil , Township of West Gwillimbury, Township of Tecumseth, Township of Essa, and the Village of Cookstown as authorized under Section 34 of the Planning Act.
Zoning Amendment Application Form (ZBLA Form)
FAQ's
Permitted uses are listed for each zone in the Town’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law 054-04. This by-law can be found on the Town’s web site or can also be viewed in the Customer Service area at the Municipal Office. This is located at 2101 Innisfil Beach Road. A zoning inquiry can also be made through the Town’s web site or by contacting a Customer Service representative for the Town of Innsifil.
All properties are shown on the zone maps or schedules which are included in the Town’s Zoning By-law 054-04. The zone maps can be found on the Town’s web site or can also be viewed in the Customer Service area at the Municipal Office. This is located at 2101 Innisfil Beach Road. A zoning inquiry can also be made through the Town’s web site or by contacting a Customer Service representative for the Town of Innisfil.
Many different projects could require zoning consideration. Anything which requires location in or on the ground could be subject to the provisions of the Town’s zoning by-law. This could include residential uses, commercial and industrial uses, accessory structures including decks, sheds and garages. It is best to check with a Customer Service representative for the Town of Innisfil to see if the zoning requirements for that zone would be applied.
Each zone has specific setbacks that must be adhered to. A setback is simply the distance a building or structure is setback from the lot line. Check the appropriate zone in By-law 054-04 or contact a Customer Service representative for the Town of Innsifil.
Lot coverage is the combined area covered by all buildings on the lot and calculated as a percentage of the lot area. Decks are included within lot coverage. Each zone has its own maximum allowable percentage.
Although there are different height restrictions for different zones, generally, the height of a single family dwelling is 9 metres. The height is measured from the average point at grade to the mid point of the roof.
Regardless of which way your home is oriented on a lot, the front lot line is determined as being the shorter of the two lot lines which abut the two streets. For clarification, you should check the Town’s Zoning By-law definitions section for "Front Lot line"(Section 2.78). By-Law 054-04.
The front lot line would normally be the line that divides the lot from the street.
Some properties may fall under lands which are regulated by the Conservation Authority. This means that the Conservation Authority within which these lands fall has an interest in the lands. The Town of Innisfil falls within the jurisdiction of two conservation authorities, specifically the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority. All you have to do to find out if your property comes under the Fill, Construction, and Alteration to Waterways Regulation is call the LSRCA at (905) 895-1281 or the NVCA at (705) 424-1479.
Home based businesses are permitted in certain zones. A home based business, or home occupation, is an occupation for gain or support conducted entirely within a dwelling unit, is secondary to the residential use, and only by those residing on the premises plus not more than one assistant who is not a resident of the dwelling. Additional requirements for home occupation uses can be found in Section 3.12 of By-law 054-04.
Fences are regulated under By-law 052-05, which was passed by Council in July of 2005.
Generally speaking, most zones in the Town of Innisfil allow for one dwelling unit. A dwelling unit is basically one room or a group of rooms in a dwelling, used by only one household as a single independent and separate housekeeping establishment in which food preparation, sleeping and sanitary facilities are provided for the sole use of the occupants, and which has a private entrance from outside the building or from a common hallway or stairway inside the building.
The provisions of a zoning by-law are precise, and any development proposal must comply exactly with the terms of the by-law. A minor variance is a special privilege used to reduce the inflexibility of the zoning by-law. It's a form of mini zoning and requires notification for a public hearing which must be conducted in accordance with the Statutory Powers and Procedures Act. For information relative to the minor variance process please contact the Secretary Treasurer for the Committee of Adjustment for the Town of Innisfil at 705-436-3710.
An agricultural use is defined as the use of land, buildings or structures for the growing of field crops, berry crops, vegetables, flowers, mushrooms, tree crops, the grazing, breeding, raising, boarding or training of animals and livestock, market gardening, kennels, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and other silvaculture, aquaculture, apiculture and hydroponics, and the sale of agricultural products from the farm on which they are produced.
Still have questions?
For additional information or further assistance please contact our Customer Service Department at 705-436-3710 (Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm) or use our 
Online Inquiry Form.