compliance-matrix

name	Compliance Matrix
description	A structured table comparing a proposed development's metrics against all applicable zoning standards.

2. Compliance Matrix

What It Is

A structured table comparing a proposed development's metrics against all applicable zoning standards. Every quantitative standard is checked: height, setbacks, lot coverage, FSI/density, parking, landscaping, angular planes, etc.

Why It Matters

• Required to identify whether a proposal is as-of-right or needs variances/amendments
• Forms the backbone of every planning rationale and application
• Committee of Adjustment and municipal planners use this to evaluate applications

Governing Law

• Planning Act, s. 34 — Zoning by-laws
• Municipal zoning by-law (e.g., Toronto By-law 569-2013)
• Former by-laws (e.g., Toronto former City of York By-law 1-83, North York By-law 7625) — many properties still governed by these
• Official Plan — may impose additional density or height limits

Data Required

Data Point	Source
Zoning category (e.g., RD, RM, CR, etc.)	Zoning by-law + zoning map
Lot dimensions (frontage, depth, area)	Survey, MPAC, GIS data
Proposed building metrics (height, setbacks, GFA, lot coverage)	User input or uploaded drawings
Zone-specific development standards	Zoning by-law tables (e.g., By-law 569-2013, Chapter 10 for residential)
Overlay zones (heritage, flood plain, UTFA, etc.)	Municipal GIS layers
Prevailing by-law exceptions	Schedule "A" exceptions in older by-laws

How to Build It — Step by Step

Step 1: Identify the applicable zoning

Input: Property address or legal description
Process:
  1. Geocode the address to get coordinates
  2. Query the municipal zoning GIS layer to identify:
     - Primary zone category (e.g., RD (f12.0; a450; d0.6))
     - Any overlay zones
     - Any site-specific by-law amendments
  3. Determine if the property is under the new harmonized by-law
     or a former municipality by-law
Output: Zone code + applicable by-law reference

Step 2: Extract development standards

For Toronto By-law 569-2013, standards are in:
  - Chapter 5: Residential zones
  - Chapter 10: Residential zone standards (lot-by-lot)
  - Chapter 15: Parking
  - Chapter 40-80: Zone-specific standards
  - Chapter 150: Defined terms

For each zone, extract:
  - Maximum height (metres and/or storeys)
  - Maximum FSI (Floor Space Index) or GFA
  - Minimum lot frontage
  - Minimum lot area
  - Minimum front yard setback
  - Minimum rear yard setback
  - Minimum side yard setbacks (interior and exterior)
  - Maximum lot coverage
  - Minimum landscaped open space
  - Minimum parking spaces (note: Bill 185 eliminated minimums
    for properties near major transit stations)
  - Minimum bicycle parking
  - Angular plane requirements
  - Amenity space requirements (if applicable)

Step 3: Collect proposal metrics

From user input or uploaded drawings:
  - Proposed building height
  - Proposed number of storeys
  - Proposed GFA (above grade and below grade)
  - Proposed setbacks (all sides)
  - Proposed lot coverage
  - Proposed number of units
  - Proposed number of parking spaces
  - Proposed landscaped area

Step 4: Generate comparison table

| Standard              | Required       | Proposed       | Status     | Variance Needed |
|-----------------------|----------------|----------------|------------|-----------------|
| Max Height            | 10.0 m         | 12.5 m         | EXCEEDS    | +2.5 m          |
| Max FSI               | 0.6            | 0.85           | EXCEEDS    | +0.25           |
| Min Front Setback     | 6.0 m          | 6.0 m          | COMPLIES   | —               |
| Min Rear Setback      | 7.5 m          | 5.0 m          | DEFICIENT  | -2.5 m          |
| Min Interior Side     | 1.2 m          | 0.9 m          | DEFICIENT  | -0.3 m          |
| Max Lot Coverage      | 35%            | 42%            | EXCEEDS    | +7%             |
| Min Parking           | 2 spaces       | 1 space        | DEFICIENT  | -1 space        |
| Min Landscaping       | 30%            | 28%            | DEFICIENT  | -2%             |

Step 5: Flag variances

For each non-compliant standard:
  1. Identify the specific by-law section being varied
     (e.g., "Section 10.20.40.70(1) — Maximum Height")
  2. Calculate the magnitude of variance
  3. Classify severity: minor (≤10%), moderate (10-25%), major (>25%)
  4. Flag whether this is a minor variance (Committee of Adjustment)
     or requires a zoning by-law amendment (Council/OLT)

Output Format

• Machine-readable JSON for internal processing
• PDF table for human review and inclusion in application packages
• Highlighted cells: green (complies), yellow (minor variance), red (major variance or amendment needed)

Special Considerations for Ontario

• Performance standards vs. prescriptive standards: Some zones have alternative compliance paths
• Section 37 / Community Benefits Charges: For buildings over certain thresholds (Bill 23 replaced s.37 with CBCs)
• Holding provisions (H): Some zones have holding symbols that must be removed before building permits
• Interim control by-laws: Temporary freezes on development in study areas — must check
• Heritage Conservation Districts: Additional design standards apply