How to Use By-law 2013-283

In order to reference this by-law most easily, a property owner should follow the steps below to determine what permissions apply to their particular property.

1. Locate the Property on a Map
   Maps in a zoning by-law are called 'Schedules.' The first step to using this by-law is to refer to the zone schedules contained in Section 15 to determine in which zone category your property is located. The zone category will be indicated on the schedules by a symbol or abbreviation. For example, you may see a symbol such as "R1" on your property. This would indicate that your property is within the 'Low Density Residential - Suburban Neighbourhood Zone'. The zone symbols or abbreviations are explained on the first page of Section 4 of the by-law.
2. By-law Amendments

   Section 1 provides assistance to help you identify the zone boundaries on the schedules. For example, if your property appears close to a zone boundary and you are not sure how to determine exactly where that boundary is located, refer to Section 1.1.7 of the by-law.
   
   A zoning by-law is not a static document; it is amended over time as demands and policies governing land use change. Before proceeding any further, you should verify that your property is not the subject of a zoning by-law amendment. These amendments are listed in Section 13 of this by-law. More recent amendments may not be included in the version of the by-law you are using. Staff in the City's Planning and Building Services Department will be able to assist you to confirm if your property has been subject to a more recent By-law amendment.

3. Permitted Uses
   The next step to using this by-law is to determine what uses are permitted on your property. Section 4 of the by-law identifies the permitted uses for each zone in the municipality. Some uses are only permitted under certain circumstances. More detailed lists of the permitted uses are found on the first page of Sections 5 to 11. The definitions in Section 12 can assist you if you are not sure of the nature of a use or how it has been defined for the purposes of this by-law.

4. Zone Standards
   Steps 1, 2 and 3 have helped you identify the zone in which your property is located and what uses are permitted on your property. The next step is to determine what standards may apply to the uses on your property. Sections 5 to 11 of the by-law identifies the zone standards for each zone including standards for minimum lot area, minimum frontage requirements, minimum yard requirements, maximum permitted height of buildings and, in some cases, the minimum required landscaped open space on the lot.
   
   The primary zone structure of this by-law includes a list of permitted uses and zone standards for each zone category.

5. General Provisions
   Now that you are aware of the uses permitted on your property and the specific zone standards that apply to those uses, reference should be made to Section 2 of this by-law. Section 2 contains a more generic set of standards known as 'General Provisions' that apply to all properties in all zones throughout the City. For example, the general provisions contain standards that regulate the construction and location of accessory buildings and platforms that apply to all properties regardless of where in the municipality a property is located.

6. Parking
   There is one final section of the by-law that should be consulted when determining what permissions apply to your specific property. Section 3 provides the parking and loading requirements for all permitted uses in the municipality. If you are considering changing the use of your property or adding a new use to your property, you should review Section 3 to ensure that you are aware of the parking requirements for the proposed use.

By-law No. 2013-283

Copyright City of St. Catharines 2014

Note: Zoning Maps of the City of St. Catharines are not to be distributed or used for commercial purposes but may be used for other purposes, provided that the above disclaimer and copyright notice is presented. If you have any questions about the use, reproduction or distribution of Zoning Maps and/or related By-law information, please email the City Clerks and Legal Services Division or call (905) 688-5601, ext. 1521.

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