Toronto Wants to Allow Commercial Uses Inside Residential Homes — With No Notice or Approval Required
Businesses—including retail shops, take-out restaurants, cannabis and alcohol sales, fitness clubs, etc.—could operate inside houses on residential streets, with no notice to neighbours and no approval process.
The City says this is intended to “make it easier to open small, local businesses in residential neighbourhoods.”
Many residents, however, question how turning homes into businesses addresses broader city priorities, such as housing availability and neighbourhood livability. A city-wide survey of 3,400+ residents showed overwhelming opposition and a strong demand for proper consultation and safeguards to protect streets and housing.
The City is proposing the biggest change to residential zoning in 70 years by allowing a wide range of businesses — including small retail shops, take-out food restaurants, cannabis and alcohol retailers, gyms, and personal service shops — to operate inside houses on residential streets.
Under this plan, these businesses could open without any notice to neighbours and without needing approval from the City or the community.
City materials say this is meant to “make it easier to open small, local businesses in residential neighbourhoods.” But how does turning homes into commercial spaces help solve Toronto’s housing crisis?