Zoning is a tool used by the Town of Ajax to regulate:

  • How land may be used;
  • Where buildings and structures can be located;
  • The types of buildings that are permitted; and
  • Development standards such as lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights, building setbacks and driveway widths.
 Zoning By-Law

While the Town’s Official Plan sets out the general policies for future land use, the Zoning By-Law puts the plan into effect and provides for its day-to-day administration.

Zoning By-Law 95-2003 is a comprehensive Zoning By-Law that was passed by Ajax Town Council on July 14, 2003. The Zoning By-Law is updated from time to time to reflect Zoning By-Law Amendments approved by Ajax Town Council or the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and to implement the policies of the Ajax Official Plan.

 

How to Use Zoning By-law 95-2003

 

To determine all the applicable permissions, prohibitions and development standards for a property, all sections of By-law 95-2003 should be reviewed. Follow these steps to ensure you understand all the zoning regulations that apply to a property. Further information about these steps is provided in the Preamble section of Zoning By-law 95-2003. 

Step 1 – Locate the property on a map to determine the zone and other special provisions (Zoning Maps; Exception Maps; Section 8 – Special Schedules; and Section 2 – Establishment of Zones).

Step 2 – Check for property specific amendments regulating development on the property (Section 7 – Zoning Exceptions; Section 9 – Holding Provisions, Temporary Use Zones and Interim Control Zones; Section 10 – Minister’s Zoning Orders; and Minor Variances (1)).

Step 3 – Review the permitted uses and development standards for the zone that applies to the property (Section 6 – Zone Provisions).

Step 4 – Review all other sections of the By-law to determine all other applicable zoning regulations (Section 4 – General Provisions; and Section 5 – Parking, Loading and Queuing Requirements).

Step 5 – Ensure you understand the terms and words used in the By-law. Several words and terms in the By-law are italicized which indicates that there is a corresponding definition. Check Section 3 – Definitions to ensure a clear understanding of italicized words and terms. There are also Explanatory Notes at the end of By-law 95-2003 that provide illustrations of various permitted uses and development standards used in the By-law.

 

(1) Minor Variances are not included in Zoning By-law 95-2003. Minor Variances from 2020 onward can be found on the Town’s Planning Application Dashboard (Planning Applications). For Minor Variances prior to 2020, please contact Planning Services at planningservices@ajax.ca

  

Disclaimer

This Office Consolidation of Zoning By-law 95-2003 is for convenience and reference purposes. For accurate reference, recourse should be made to the original By-laws.

 

Zoning By-law 95-2003 Documents

As noted above, the text and maps of Zoning By-Law 95-2003 are interconnected and must be read together.

Full Document (Office Consolidation March 6, 2026)

Individual Sections (Office Consolidation March 6, 2026)
 Zoning By-Law Amendments

If you want to use or develop your property in a way that is not allowed by the Zoning By-Law, you may apply for a zoning change, also known as a Zoning By-Law Amendment. Council can consider a change of the zoning for your property only if the new use is permitted in the Town’s Official Plan.

Before you set out to apply for a Zoning By-Law Amendment, you must consult with the Town’s Planning and Development staff through a Pre-Consultation meeting. This meeting will provide an opportunity for you to present your amendment proposal and receive feedback from staff. In addition to advice specific to your proposal, staff will also indicate the types of studies and reports that will have to be submitted with your application.

Following your Pre-Consultation meeting, you may complete and submit an application form to the Town. The application fee will depend upon the complexity of the proposal.

Unconsolidated Zoning By-law Amendments

These Zoning by-law amendments are currently in effect, and they will be included in the next office consolidation of the Zoning By-law 95-2003:
 Minor Variances

If you are planning to develop your property in a way that is generally permitted by the Town but fails to meet one or more of the detailed standards of the Town’s Zoning By-Law, you may be able to apply for a Minor Variance. Unlike Zoning By-law Amendments, which are designed to address major incompatibilities with the Zoning By-Law, Minor Variances are designed to address minor incompatibilities.

Decisions on Minor Variances are made by the Committee of Adjustment, a specialized body appointed by Town Council. The applicant must demonstrate to the Committee that the variance is necessary and why there are practical difficulties in carrying out the strict regulations of the Zoning By-law. In order for a variance to be approved, it must be demonstrated that the application is:

  1. Minor in nature;
  2. Appropriate and desirable in for the area;
  3. In keeping with the purpose and intent of the Zoning By-Law; and
  4. In keeping with the purpose and intent of the Official Plan.

Further information about Minor Variances, including the application form, is available on the Committee of Adjustment page of the Town’s website.