RESOURCE SHEET - June 23 2020
PRIVATE OUTDOOR SALES AND DISPLAY AREAS IN TORONTO
Would you like to set up a new sales space from your back door? Private outdoor sales and display areas are permitted on Commercial Zone lots as outlined in Zoning Bylaw 569-2013. Below is a summary of the relevant zoning parameters along with The Laneway Project’s recommended process for planning and licensing private, rear-lot outdoor sales and display areas in Toronto.
ZONING BYLAW SUMMARY FOR PRIVATE OUTDOOR SALES AND DISPLAY AREAS
Commercial Local (CL) Zone:
Outdoor sales and display areas are permitted, subject to these parameters:
It must be combined with another permitted use;
Goods or commodities may be displayed no closer than 3 metres to a side lot line or a rear lot line;
The cumulative area for the outdoor sale or display of goods or commodities may be no more than 30 square metres;
The area for the outdoor sale or display of goods or commodities may not be located in areas required by the By-law for parking, loading, driveways or landscaping (see below);
If a lot abuts a lot in the Residential (R) Zone category or Residential Apartment (RA) Zone category, a minimum 1.5 metre wide strip of soft landscaping must be provided along the part of the lot line abutting the lot in the R Zone category or RA Zone category; and
If a lot abuts a lot in the R Zone category or the RA Zone category, a fence must be installed along the portion of a lot line abutting the lot in the R Zone category or RA Zone category.
Commercial Residential (CR) and Commercial Residential Employment (CRE) Zones:
Outdoor sales and display areas are permitted, subject to these parameters:
It must be combined with another permitted non-residential use;
No goods or commodities may be displayed within 15 metres of a lot line that abuts a lot in the R Zone category or RA Zone category;
Allowable area:
For CR lots: The cumulative area of the outdoor sale or display of goods or commodities may not be more than 25% of the gross floor area of the premises it is associated with, up to a maximum of 1500 square metres;
For CRE lots: The cumulative area of the outdoor sale or display of goods or commodities may not be more than 250 square metres;
The area for the outdoor sale or display of goods or commodities may not be located in areas required by this By-law for parking, loading, driveways or landscaping (see below);
If a lot abuts a lot in the Residential (R) Zone category or Residential Apartment (RA) Zone category, a minimum 1.5 metre wide strip of soft landscaping must be provided along the part of the lot line abutting the lot in the R Zone category or RA Zone category; and
If a lot abuts a lot in the R Zone category or the RA Zone category, a fence must be installed along the portion of a lot line abutting the lot in the R Zone category or RA Zone category.
RECOMMENDED PLANNING AND LICENSING PROCESS
Check the zoning of your neighbouring lots on our Toronto Laneway Map; zoom to your lot, open the layer menu on the left, click on the Zoning Categories checkbox, and click on the lots.
Check the parking space requirements for your lot, based on its primary use.
Measure your rear-yard space to check whether you have sufficient space for the required setback based on the zoning of neighbouring lots, all landscaping, loading and required parking spaces based on your lot’s primary use, and your private outdoor sales and display area.
If your lot has sufficient space, contact your BIA to let them know and ask about any special local parameters in place (beyond the Zoning parameters, and related to space, construction, sales hours etc.). If these are not yet in place, work with your BIA and your neighbours to come to an agreement.
As long as your outdoor sales and display area is located completely on your private CL, CR or CRE lot and adheres to the zoning requirements listed above, no additional permit or license is required.
*For food and beverage businesses: The sale of takeaway packaged food and beverages from outdoor sales and display areas on your private cafe or restaurant lot is covered and permitted under the provisions of your existing licenses and permits from Toronto Public Health.
Let us know about your new laneway sales area via email or by tagging @LanewayProject on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. We’ll be happy to share the exciting news with our community, and may even pop by for a visit.