For a recording of our Teams Live Event please go to the Background tab. If you have any questions or comments, please email zoningbylaw@saskatoon.ca

As part of the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw Review Project (Zoning Bylaw Project), the City is reviewing regulations for the development of new one- and two-unit and semi-detached homes in Saskatoon’s established neighbourhoods. We are reviewing regulations put in place in 2015 to evaluate the effect they have had and make amendments as necessary.

What are the established neighbourhoods?

The established neighbourhoods include all neighbourhoods within Circle Drive, as well as Sutherland, Forest Grove, and Montgomery Place. You can find the full map on the Background Tab on this page.

Now open for Engagement: Comprehensive Review of Neighbourhood Level Infill

After stakeholder consultations proposed amendments have been developed. The amendments being proposed are:

• Height of front door in Category 1 neighbourhoods - increase permitted height of base or sill of front door from 1.0 metres to 1.3 metres to address construction concerns related to access and egress for secondary suites, stair construction, sewer-line depth, and other considerations, as shown.
  • An increase of this provision was proposed at 1.6 metres; feedback received indicated that this was a substantial increase that would result in a loss of interaction with the public realm. The revised provision is 1.3 metres, which will accommodate an increase required to solve many technical issues with services and construction while remaining sympathetic to the public realm.
• Permitted encroachments into required front yard - currently, enclosed porches are permitted to encroach into a required front yard. This proposal would allow for covered entries or open air verandas to encroach into the same area. An example of a permitted structured is provided.
• Reduced front yard setback – in many established neighbourhoods, older homes exist that are legally closer to the front street than what is currently permitted by the Zoning Bylaw. This recommendation would allow the reduction of a front yard setback from 6 metres to a minimum of 3 metres when existing adjacent dwellings have a legal lesser front yard setback.
• Sidewall - for corner sites and areas with greater setbacks from adjacent homes, allow for additional sidewall area. This applies to sites where there is lesser impact on neighbouring properties.
• Sidewall - clarify the regulation so that it is calculated consistently when referring to grade and gable endwalls (refer to linked picture).

You can provide your feedback by emailing the Zoning Bylaw Review Team at zoningbylaw@saskatoon.ca or by using the Contact Us tab.

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Neighbourhood Level Infill Development occurs when the existing housing stock is replaced, secondary suites are built, or subdivision occurs and new additional dwellings are constructed. 

Currently, the Zoning Bylaw contains regulations specific to Neighbourhood Level Infill Development. These regulations apply to one- and two-unit, as well as semi-detached houses (primary dwellings) in Established Neighbourhoods. Established Neighbourhoods are defined in the Zoning Bylaw and are those neighbourhoods located within Circle Drive, as well as Sutherland, Forest Grove and Montgomery Place. The infill regulations for primary dwellings in Established Neighbourhoods, set out in the Zoning Bylaw, 2009 (Zoning Bylaw), were adopted by City Council on March 23, 2015. Regulations are based on recommendations contained in the Neighbourhood Infill Development Strategy, which outlined best practices, design guidelines, design flexibility and ways to minimize the impact of new dwellings on neighbouring residents.

Regulations, in particular those that regulate height and massing, ensure new infill development does not detract from the character of the neighbourhood and balances demand for contemporary housing with the existing built form. A review of these infill regulations was completed in 2017 which included consultation with the development industry. No changes were proposed at that time; however, designers did indicate that infill dwellings are more challenging to design under the regulations introduced in 2015.
 

What are the established neighbourhoods? 

CATEGORY 1 AND CATEGORY 2 NEIGHBOURHOODS 

In recognition of the significant difference in housing patterns, two categories of zoning standards are in effect. Category 1 generally refers to pre-war neighbourhoods and Category 2 reflects standards for post-war neighbourhoods. Certain regulations apply to Category 1 Neighbourhoods. 

Category 1 Neighbourhoods (in blue): King George, Pleasant Hill, Riversdale, Westmount, Caswell Hill, Nutana, Buena Vista, Haultain, Varsity View, City Park, North Park and Exhibition. 

Category 2 Neighbourhoods (in pink): Hudson Bay, Mayfair, Kelsey-Woodlawn, Richmond Heights, Sutherland, Forest Grove, Greystone Heights, Grosvenor, Brevoort Park, Nutana S.C., Eastview, Nutana Park, Adelaide/Churchill, Queen Elizabeth, Avalon, Holiday Park,Montgomery Place, Mount Royal and Meadowgreen.

Note: You can click on the map below for a "zoomed in" version that focuses on the Category 1 and 2 neighbourhoods.