Toronto councillors have voted in favour of allowing multiplex housing citywide. This means duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes can now be built, without special permission, in neighbourhoods across Toronto, including those currently dominated by detached and semi-detached houses. The decision is an upheaval of Toronto's long-standing “yellowbelt”, which restricted around 70% of the city’s zoned residential land to single-family homes only. For several years, city planners had been mulling a rethink of Toronto's planning regime to add more “gentle density”. The final proposal was approved by council in an 18-7 vote. The new framework allows new multiplexes to be built up to 10 metres high or three storeys, as long as the design keeps with an area's existing “physical features”. In areas where taller buildings are already allowed, four-storey multiplexes may be possible. Toronto has vowed to monitor its impacts and deliver a report back to the city hall housing committee with any needed tweaks.
Toronto Overhauls Yellowbelt: Multiplex Housing Now Allowed Citywide
