Rezoning Property

All property in the City of Saskatoon is assigned a zoning designation by the Zoning Bylaw No. 8770.  A zoning designation allows certain uses, and contains development standards such as building setbacks and parking requirements. In certain circumstances, it may be possible to amend these zoning requirements.

Zoning Bylaw Amendments

There are two types of Zoning Bylaw amendments:

• Map Amendment: An amendment to the Zoning Bylaw Map involves changing the zoning designation of a particular parcel or area of land to allow the development of a specific land use not permitted by the present zoning designation.
• Text Amendment: An amendment to the text of the Zoning Bylaw may involve adding a specific land use designation to a particular zoning district or changing the development standards within a zoning district to accommodate certain aspects of a particular use.

Requesting an Amendment

In order to request an amendment, an applicant should:

• Review the information on application process below.
• Complete the  Rezoning Application form.
• Contact Development Review to discuss payment options.  The application fee and additional fees (if applicable) are listed below: 

• Applicants are also required to pay all costs of newspaper advertising associated with the application, payable at the end of the process.  Cost of facility rentals for public information meetings, when applicable, are also the responsibility of the applicant.
• Please contact Planning and Development to determine which additional fees may be required.
• ​Submit application and supporting materials to development.services@saskatoon.ca.

Application Process

Zoning Bylaw amendments are overseen by the Planning and Development Division, Development Review Section.  This process may take from six to twelve months.  The complexity of an application can affect processing time, and processing begins only when a submission is deemed complete. 

1. Pre-Application Meeting: You are encouraged to discuss your proposal with Development Review to assess the feasibility of a proposed amendment before making a formal application.  Staff can provide information on development standards, application process, and applicable fees.
2. Submit Application: Complete and submit the application form including any supporting documentation, as well as the applicable fees.
3. Application Circulated to Internal City Departments: Once a submission is deemed complete, Development Review will circulate the proposed Zoning Bylaw amendment(s) to internal City Departments for comments and to determine if any requirements need to be addressed regarding the proposal.
4. Public Information Meeting: A Public Information Meeting is held to provide residents an opportunity to listen to a presentation by the applicant regarding their proposal and provide the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments. City staff are in attendance to provide an overview of the Zoning Bylaw amendment process, and the next steps following the meeting.  The Applicant may be required to pay for costs associated with renting a venue.
5. Report to Municipal Planning Commission (MPC): Development Review will submit a report to the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC). MPC is an advisory committee to City Council that examines matters pertaining to community planning and development in Saskatoon. MPC examines the proposal and recommends approval or denial to City Council. 
6. Public Notice: As per the City's Public Notice Policy (C01-021), public notice must be given regarding amendments to the Zoning Bylaw.  Notice of the amendment is published in The StarPhoenix, posted at City Hall and on the City's website.  Notice to area property owners and those in attendance at the Public Information Meeting is also provided.
7. Public Hearing (at City Council): All Zoning Bylaw amendments are subject to a public hearing, conducted at City Council at 6:00 PM on the day of the meeting.  Members of the public may provide written comments for City Council to consider in their deliberations, or may address City Council in person at the hearing.  The applicant is requested to attend to answer questions that City Council may have.
8. Final Decision: A final decision on a proposed Zoning Bylaw amendment is made by City Council.  The applicant will be informed of the decision by the City Clerk.