| 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
