City Council made major changes to the proposed Neighbourhood Retail & Services zoning amendment.
The final version is a hybrid model: it protects suburban neighbourhoods while broadly expanding permissions in downtown, midtown, and the waterfront.
To see the full list of motions, approvals, and the voting record, visit:
Neighbourhood Retail & Services (PH23.5)
1. Major Streets
Commercial uses are now permitted on Major Streets, but more than 40 street segments were excluded following motions from suburban councillors.
These exclusions apply mainly in:
- North York
- Scarborough
- North Etobicoke
See if your street was excluded on the list found HERE — the list also notes streets that were proposed for exclusion but not approved.
You can find Ward Maps HERE for all the Major Streets in the City. Note that the Maps show both the ‘included’ and ‘excluded’ streets. You will need to consult the exclusion list when reviewing these maps.
2. Neighbourhood Interiors
Instead of city-wide implementation, permissions were approved in only 8 of 25 wards—all in Old City of Toronto.
Businesses will be permitted:
- On corner lots of Community Streets
- On lots beside schools and parks
Included wards:
- Ward 4 – Parkdale–High Park
- Ward 9 – Davenport
- Ward 10 – Spadina–Fort York
- Ward 11 – University–Rosedale
- Ward 12 – Toronto–St. Paul’s
- Ward 13 – Toronto Centre
- Ward 14 – Toronto–Danforth
- Ward 19 – Beaches–East York
No suburban wards opted in.
Map of included wards and applicable Community Streets can be found on the resources page HERE
3. Monitoring & Reporting Requirements
A city-wide monitoring program was approved. Staff must:
- Report back after the first 100 permits/licenses
- Consider dedicated enforcement resources
- Review Official Plan Map 3 (Major Streets Designation)
- Explore a process to identify locations where neighbourhood retail could be added only with broad local support (within 200m)
- Review ways to protect existing legally non-conforming businesses in residential areas
4. Provincial Requests: Cannabis & Alcohol
Council will ask the Province to:
- Consider limits on the number of cannabis stores per ward
- Restrict new liquor licences within Neighbourhoods.
Note: Council previously directed Planning Staff to explore adding such safeguards before returning the proposal, but staff ultimately did not do so. Council has nevertheless proceeded.