DRAFT

Draft Oct 2015 

TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE 

APARTMENT GUIDELINES 

DRAFT 

TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES 


URBAN DESIGN 

GUIDELINES 

2015


City of Toronto 

Townhouse and Low-rise Apartment Guidelines Core Team 

Harold Madi, Director of Urban Design 

Diana Birchall, Program Manager, Urban Design 

Leo DeSorcy 

Maaja Eichfus-Clarke 

Emilia Floro 

Victor Gottwald 

Anthony Hommik 

Jack Krubnik 

Mladen Kukic 

Peggy Lee 

Joseph luk 

Deanne Mighton 

James Parakh 

Xue Pei 

Andrea Reaney 

Allison Reid 

Michael Sakalauskas 

Derrick Wong 


Townhouse and Low-rise Apartment Guidelines online: 

www.toronto.ca/lowriseguidelines

Table of Contents 

Introduction 

Background – Evolution of the Townhouse in Toronto 

Definitions 

Zoning 


By-law 569-2013 

Purpose of the Guidelines 

How and Where the Guidelines Apply 

Guilding Principles 

Quality of Life and Livability 

Design Excellence 

Sustainable Design 

Heritage Conservation 

Organization of Guidelines 

1.1 Context Analysis and Planning for Larger Sites 

1.2 Public Realm Framework 

1.2.1 Street and Block Pattern 

1.2.2 Public Parks and Open Spaces 

1.3 Heritage 

2.1 Streets, Mews and Walkways 

2.2 Shared Outdoor Amenity Space 

2.3 Building Placement 

2.4 Building Address 

2.5 Site Servicing, Access and Parking 

2.5.1 Site Servicing, Access and Parking for Smaller Street-Related Townhouse Sites 

3.1 Fit and Transition in Scale 

3.2 Separation Distances, Stepbacks and Orientation 

3.3 Building Relationship to Grade and Street 

3.4 Building Entrance and Front Yard 

3.5 Private Outdoor Amenity Space 

1.0 Site Context 

2.0 Site Organization 

3.0 Building Design 

TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES

4.0 Public Realm 


4.1 Streetscape, Landscape and Stormwater Management 

4.1.1 Streetscape 

4.1.2 Landscape 

4.1.3 Stormwater Management 

4.2 Site Elements Design 

4.3.1 Lighting 

4.3.2 Shared Facilities 

4.3 Building Elements 

4.5.1 Windows, Doors and Roofs 

4.5.2 Materials 

4.4 Public Art 

5.0 Bringing it all Together 

5.1 Building Types and Configurations 

5.1.1 Townhouse 

5.1.2 Stacked Townhouse 

5.1.3 Back to Back Townhouse 

5.1.4 Stacked and Back to Back Townhouse 

5.1.5 Apartment Building 

5.1.6 Hybrid Building 

5.2 Development Scenarios 

5.2.1 Shallow Mid-Block Parcel 

6.0 Case Studies 

5.2.2 Deep Mid-Block Parcel 

5.2.3 Parcel Adjacent to or with Heritage Resource 

5.2.4 Parcel with Multiple Building Blocks 


5.2.5 Large Parcel with Tower and Neighbourhood Edge 

5.2.6 Large Development with multiple Development Blocks 

7.0 Glossary

Introduction 

Background – Evolution of the Townhouse in Toronto 

Definitions 

Zoning By-law 569-2013 

Purpose of the Guidelines 

How and Where the Guidelines Apply 


Guiding Principles 

Quality of Life and Livability 

Design Excellence 

Sustainable Design 

Heritage Conservation 

Organization of Guidelines 

INTRODUCTION | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES 

Credit: Quadrangle Architects Limited 

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Introduction 

To assist with the implementation of Official Plan policies 

and provide specific design direction, the City of Toronto has 

developed city-wide "Townhouse and Low-rise Apartment 

Guidelines". The purpose of the guidelines is to assist in 

achieving the appropriate design of low-rise (primarily 

residential) buildings for a range of building types from 

townhouses, through to stacked and back-to-back townhouses 

and low-rise apartment buildings up to 4 storeys in height. The 

Guidelines will build upon and replace the "Infill Townhouse 

Guidelines" (2003) which have been in use by the City of 

Toronto for over 10 years. They will address infill townhouse 

developments as well as developments on larger sites and the 

more complex and intense types of low-rise, multi-unit housing 

in terms of: site context; site organization; building massing; 

detailed design, and the semi-private and public realms. 

BACKGROUND – EVOLUTION OF THE TOWNHOUSE 

IN TORONTO 

The City of Toronto has a long, rich history of townhouse or 

row house development. Traditional Toronto townhouses 

are generally 2 ½ to 3 ½ storeys high and are typically of a 

Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian or Arts and Crafts character. 

Townhouses of this nature have been a common and successful 

form of residential development since the mid-1800's. 

In the post-war period, townhouses were developed in new lot 

and block configurations of grade-related housing, promoted 

by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) as 

good for families. Typically these were laid out on large blocks 

near higher density forms of housing, schools and shopping 

centres. They were often rental housing with the site remaining 

in private ownership. This type of townhouse was organized 

around private streets or pedestrian mews. Vehicle parking was 

accommodated in small parking lots at the edges of the site or 

integral to the townhouse with access gained from a private 

street. 

Over time, new types of housing units emerged within the 

townhouse form that introduced new relationships between the 


individual unit, vertical circulation and grade. 

In the early years of amalgamation, the City of Toronto 

introduced the “Infill Townhouse Guidelines” (2003) to 

help assess the large and growing volume of townhouse 

development applications on small, infill sites. The infill 

guidelines responded to, among other things, the decline in the 

quality of streetscapes by the erosion of areas for landscaping 

and street trees created by the market for narrow frontage 

towns with integral front parking and garages. 

6CITY OF TORONTO 

2014 / 2015 

Cabbage Town Townhouse 

The City’s Official Plan, which was approved by Council in 

2002, requires new developments to take their address and 

access from public streets. To support this policy goal, Council 

adopted, in 2005, the Development Infrastructure Policy & 

Standards (DIPS). The DIPS standards place limits on the 

creation and design of private residential streets and establish 

clear directions for the layout and design of new public 

residential streets.

Example of low-rise buidlings in the form of garden apartments/courtyard walk-ups. 

Since the adoption of these earlier standards, the demand for 

low-rise grade related housing has remained strong. Over 

the past ten years, land and construction prices have risen. 

Increasingly, townhouses and low-rise multi-unit residential 

buildings are now being constructed on large sites with 

underground parking garages. These larger sites are often 

found at the edges of "tower in the park" apartment areas and 

on lands being converted from employment and institutional 

uses. As well, low-rise residential intensification continues to 

take place on smaller infill sites. There has evolved, along with 

the conventional townhouse, a variety of taller, denser and 

more complex forms of multi-unit, low-rise housing. (see below 

for a description of types). 

Townhouses and low-rise buildings are common in many parts of the City. 

The “Infill Townhouse Guidelines” (2003), which speak to 

townhouse developments on public streets and short private 

mews, and the DIPS (2005) standards for new residential 

streets fail to cover some of the more pressing questions of 

organization and fit that arise in many of today's development 

applications. The Guidelines in this document have been 

developed to ensure that the wider range of planning 

considerations presented by the current forms of low-rise 

residential intensification are fully addressed. The objectives 

of the Guidelines are to produce building designs and 

development layouts that reflect the broader land use planning 

goals of the Official Plan and which, in the process, create an 

attractive public realm and comfortable private living spaces of 

the highest achievable quality. 



Spruce Court Apartments (completed in the 1920s), is one of the earliest examples of publically supported, affordable, Low-Rise Multi Unit Housing in Toronto. The "Garden City" influence is 

prevalent through the use of large grassy, sunlit, courtyards and play areas which were accessible to all units. (Photo Credit: Spruce Court c1920, City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 43.) 

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8CITY OF TORONTO 

2014 / 2015 

DEFINITIONS 

Low-rise, multi-unit residential buildings take many forms: 

Townhouses are generally 2 to 3 1/2-storey structures that 

share a sidewall with a neighbouring unit and have at least three 

housing bays. They typically have a front and a back. 

Stacked Townhouses share a sidewall and have units stacked 

vertically (typically two or three). Like the townhouse type they 

have a front and a back. 

Back to Back Townhouses share a rear wall as well as a 

sidewall and have two fronts. Each unit has its own entrance to 

grade. 

Stacked, Back to Back Townhouses share a rear wall as well 

as a sidewall and have units stacked vertically. This can include 

three units located on top of each other, two-level units stacked 

on top of one-level units, or two-level units stacked on top of 

two-level units. Other layout solutions may be possible. Each 

unit has its own entrance to grade. 

Low-rise Apartment Buildings are less than 4 storeys high and 

share interior corridors, vertical circulation and entrances, and 

have multiple units stacked vertically. Typically units are located 

on both sides of a corridor (double-loaded) and, sometimes, 

only on one side of a corridor (single-loaded). 

Hybrid Buildings combine lower units with direct access to 

grade as well as upper units that gain access from a shared 

corridor, vertical circulation and entrance. 

The types of residential units described above are typically 

constructed in rows or blocks. The Official Plan allows these 

residential forms in lands with Mixed Use, Regeneration and 

Apartment Neighbourhoods designations. They often fit 

under the four-storey height limit for residential development 

in designated Neighbourhood areas but policies regarding 

neighbourhood fit may impose restrictions. It is important 

that the more intensive forms of low-rise, multi-unit 

residential development fit harmoniously within the existing 

neighbourhood context. (See Section 5 – Bringing It All 

Together for more detail on the various types of low-rise, multiunit 

residential buildings). 

Zoning By-law 569-2013 


Townhouse and Low-rise Apartment buildings take many 

forms, but can generally be understood as predominantly 

residential buildings, up to four storeys tall. 

The City-wide Comprehensive Zoning By-law 569-2013, as 

amended, defines and regulates residential building types within 

zone categories. Residential building types set out in the Bylaw 

that relate to the scope of these Guidelines mainly include 

Townhouse and Apartment Buildings and to a lesser degree 

Triplexes and Fouplexes 

"Back-to-Back" and "Stacked Townhouses" are not defined 

residential building types in Zoning By-law 569-2013. However, 

these popular design and marketing terms are commonly used 

when reviewing development applications to better describe the 

types of units and building configurations seen within the lowrise 

"Apartment Building" typology.

PURPOSE OF GUIDELINES 

The purpose of the “Townhouse and Low-rise Apartment 

Guidelines” is to replace the “Infill Townhouse Guidelines” 

(2003) and to illustrate how the public realm and built form 

policy objectives of the Official Plan can be addressed by: 

• Identifying strategies to enhance the quality of the living 

environment through improved spatial relationships, 

design and materials 

• Establishing a balance between the protection of stable 

residential neighbourhoods and heritage features 

while allowing for appropriate infill development and 

intensification. 

• Providing best practices for use by stakeholders, 

particularly land developers, architects, and landscape 

architects, and to provide guidance to municipal planners 

in effectively evaluating the acceptability of an application 

HOW AND WHERE THE GUIDELINES APPLY 

The City of Toronto Official Plan seeks to direct and manage 

growth city-wide and managing change is different in different 

parts of the City. While the Official Plan directs major and 

sustained incremental growth to the City’s Centres, Avenues, 

Employment Districts and the Downtown, fully three-quarters 

of the City’s land area is taken up by watercourses, ravines, 

parks and neighbourhoods where little growth is intended to 

take place. As they evolve and change, these stable residential 

neighbourhoods will continue to experience modest physical 

change. Low-rise, multi-unit buildings will often be located 

adjacent to and sometimes within stable residential areas and 

as such, it is important to ensure that new development will 

enhance and fit within the local area context. 

The “Townhouse and Low-rise Apartment Guidelines” apply 

to the design, review, and approval of new low-rise, multi-unit 

building developments that are 4 storeys or less. The Guidelines 

will normally be applied through the evaluation of development 

proposals and design alternatives in Official Plan Amendments, 

Zoning By-law Amendments, Plans of Subdivision, and Site 

Plan Control applications. The Guidelines are intended to be 

read together with the relevant Official Plan policies, applicable 

Zoning By-laws, Secondary Plans, Heritage Conservation 

District Plans, the Toronto Green Standard, the Toronto 


Development Guide, as well as any other applicable regulations, 

policies and guidelines. 

The Guidelines are intended to provide a degree of certainty and 

clarity of common interpretation. Each guideline requirement 

should be weighed across the board with the other guidelines 

and "work together" to determine whether a development 

application has successfully met the overall intent of these 

Guidelines and the Official Plan. However, when implementing 

the Guidelines, it is important to recognize that exceptions 

may sometimes be warranted and that at times a project 

that strives for excellence in design can demonstrate that a 

particular guideline is not appropriate in that instance. It is the 

responsibility of the designer/developer/builder to demonstrate 

to the City where such an exception exists and it as at the 

discretion of the City to support or not support a justification. In 

cases where the City requires further review of applications, the 

City’s Design Review Panel may assist in the process. 

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INTRODUCTION | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES


CITY OF TORONTO 

2014 / 2015 

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES 

The guidelines are based on the following guiding principles 

which build on and will help implement policies and directions 

from the City's Official Plan: 

1. Protect and enhance significant natural and man-made 

features such as mature vegetation, topography, heritage 

structures and open spaces. 

2. Create high quality public and private realm on sites 

that connect with local streets, parks and open spaces, 

community and retail services. 

3. Encourage active living with a safe, comfortable, accessible, 

vibrant and attractive public realm. 

4. Promote harmonious fit and compatibility with the existing 

and planned context through appropriate scale, placement, 

setbacks and visual relationships. 

5. Ensure a high quality living environment through excellent 

architecture, landscape and urban design. 

6. Ensure good living conditions, including access to public 

and private open space, sunlight, natural ventilation and 

privacy for building occupants. 

7. Minimize the impact of service areas and elements on the 

public realm. 

The substance of the Guidelines was informed by an inventory 

of relevant past planning applications, site tours, selected case 

studies and a review of best practices. This brought to light 

a number of key issues that require particular attention when 

considering development applications for townhouses and lowrise 

apartments, including: 

• improving the “fit” and transition with existing 

neighbourhoods and, at a smaller scale, the transition 

from the public realm (streets, parks and other open 

spaces) to the private realm (front yards, private amenity 

spaces and entrances) 

• ensuring more generous separation distances between 

facing units to allow for adequate access to sunlight and 

sky view and an appropriate level of privacy 

• avoiding situations where front yards face back yards or 

where backyards face the street 

• imposing adequate setback requirements to enable 

suitable areas for soft landscaping and to provide 

sufficient soil for trees to be planted and flourish 

• ensuring the adequate provision of safe and attractive 

parks, accessible open space and walkways as community 

focal points and, where appropriate, integrating these 

spaces into a larger network of streets, parks and other 

community spaces such as school yards 

• maximizing the usability, comfort and appearance of front 

yards and building entrances (porches and stoops) and 

private outdoor amenity spaces (balconies and terraces) 

while minimizing the negative impacts of overlook on 

public and private realms 

• improving the overall quality of design in terms of 

site layout, architecture and landscaping, with the 

accompanying use of higher quality materials 

• ensuring servicing activities (such as vehicle parking, 

garbage storage and collection, loading, utility meters and 

drop-off areas) are located underground, internally or to 

the rear of the building away from the public realm and 

public view 

• relating developments directly to the existing or “natural” 

grade and avoiding the creation of artificial grades. 

QUALITY OF LIFE AND LIVABILITY 

Many aspects of urban design and approaches to city form are 

based on the concept of livability. These approaches recognize 

that design and structure can be very influential in the life of 

a town or city and the building of community. Part of what 

makes Toronto livable is access to a wide array of amenities 

and attractions, including natural areas in the city, cultural 

and social events, urban parks, the urban tree canopy, vibrant 

districts and unique, thriving neighborhoods. As our City grows 

and matures, we need to create a more beautiful environment, 


healthy and vibrant communities and greater prosperity by 

making choices that improve our quality of life. This includes a 

focus on neighborhoods and main streets, so that everyone has 

access within biking or walking distance of the basic services 

and amenities offered in the City’s most livable neighborhoods. 

DESIGN EXCELLENCE 

Low-rise, multi- unit buildings have an important role in 

defining the image of Toronto and should embody design 

excellence and innovation. Urban design excellence in the 

spaces and quality of shared public spaces, landscape and 

architectural design includes the effective use of resources, 

high-quality materials, innovative building and landscape 

design and construction, as well as a sensitive and thoughtful 

response to context and the impacts of the development.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN 

Sustainable design is an approach to developing sites and 

buildings to be less resource intensive and to improve the 

economic, social, and natural environment we live in. Low-rise, 

multi-unit developments should demonstrate a heightened 

awareness of green innovation and accomplish sustainable 

linkages between good urban design, architecture, and 

landscape. 

There are technical aspects relating to building performance, 

materials and construction methods, water management, 

landscaping, and the quality of the internal environment. There 

are also site and building design measures, including organizing 

buildings for maximum passive solar gain, which can be 

applied to improve the sustainability and energy performance 

of buildings. Sustainable design should be identified at the 

project’s initial or site planning stage when fundamental 

design decisions are being made. By following an integrated 

design process and ensuring that all design and construction 

disciplines are involved from the beginning, low-rise, multi-unit 

buildings can achieve better overall performance results. 

The City of Toronto both requires and encourages sustainable 

design through the Official Plan and the Toronto Green 

Standard (TGS). The TGS sets out performance measures for 

buildings and sites and specifies strategies that can be used to 

achieve cost effective, environmentally and socially responsible 

end results. Planning applications submitted since January 

2014 in the City of Toronto must meet Tier 1 of the Toronto 

Green Standard (TGS) performance measures. 

Applicants are also required to adhere to the City of Toronto 

Wet Weather Flow Management Policy which provides direction 

on how to manage wet weather flow on a watershed basis. 

HERITAGE CONSERVATION 

The City of Toronto values its heritage properties and requires 

that they be protected and that new development conserve 

the integrity of their cultural heritage value, attributes, and 

character, consistent with accepted principles of good heritage 

conservation. 

Sustainable design solutions are integrated into the landscape design. Credit: PWL 

Partnership Landscape Architect Inc. 

areas with a concentration of heritage properties and distinct 

historic character. The character and values of HCDs will be 

conserved to ensure that their significance is not diminished by 

incremental or sweeping change. 

There are heritage properties that can work in harmony with 

new development. In these cases, development should strive 


for the long term protection, integration, and re-use of heritage 

properties. Heritage properties should be used to inform the 

scale and contextual treatment of the new development. If welldesigned 

and sited in appropriate locations, low-rise, multi-unit 

buildings can make a positive contribution within historical 

settings. 


Low-rise buildings must be compatible with conserving 

heritage properties on or adjacent to a development site or 

within a Heritage Conservation District (HCD). HCDs are special 

11


ORGANIZATION OF THE GUIDELINES 

The Townhouse and Low-rise Building Guidelines are organized 

into the following sections: 

Introduction 



3.0 Building Massing and Design 

4.0 Pedestrian Realm – Creating Pride in Place 

5.0 Bringing It All Together - Building Types and 

Development Scenarios 

6.0 Apendices + Case Studies 

7.0 Glossary 

Appendix A – Case Studies 

Individual design guidelines with supporting illustrations, photos, 

rationales, and selected related references, such as Official Plan 

policies and TGS performance measures, are provided for each 

aspect of developments identified within sections 1.0 through 4.0. 

Section 5.0 provides descriptions of the building types covered 

by these Guidelines as well as demonstrations of how the various 

building types come together on sites with different conditions. 

Section 6.0 Case Studies provides some recent examples of mostly 

built projects across the City. 

Section 7.0 Grossary provides definitions to the terminology used 

within the Guidelines. 



2014 / 2015 

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1.1 Context Analysis and Planning for Larger Sites 

1.2 Public Realm Framework 

1.2.1 Street and Block Patterns 

1.2.2 Public Parks and Open Spaces 

1.3 Heritage 


SITE CONTEXT | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES 

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1.1 CONTEXT ANALYSIS AND PLANNING FOR LARGER SITES 



2014 / 2015 

14 

Evaluate the existing and planned context and demonstrate how the proposed 

development responds to this context. For larger sites with multiple buildings 

and the potential for new public realm elements, coordinate development through 

a Master Plan. 

a. Include a “Walkable” context analysis, showing the building 

proposal, and illustrating through text and graphics at an 

appropriate scale: 

• Official Plan land use designations and zoning 

permissions 

• 250m and 500m "walkability" radii from the site 

• major streets and blocks (patterns, size, location) 

• open space networks (parks, open space, natural 

features) 

• pedestrian/cycling routes and connections 

• transit routes, stations, and stops (including distance to 

rapid transit nodes) 

• area amenities and destinations (community centres, 

trails, libraries, schools, retail areas, etc.) 

• Diagrams of movement network(s) that give priority 

consideration to pedestrians 

b. Include in the Planning Rationale or application a “Block” 

context analysis, showing the proposal and illustrating 

through text and graphics at an appropriate scale: 

• size of blocks and arrangement of parcels or lots 

• location, size and organization of public streets, laneways, 

sidewalks, transit stops, and other pedestrian or cycling 

routes and connections 

• location and size of parks and open space if applicable 

• adjacent and on-site heritage properties and identified 

heritage views from the public realm if applicable 

• adjacent and on-site mature trees 

• existing topography and proposed grading on site and its 

relationship to adjacent sites and features 

• important or identified views from the public realm 

• existing and planned building footprints 

• ground floor uses, setbacks and general location of 

building entrances, street trees and site circulation/ 

servicing on the development site and on adjacent sites 

• proposed building heights and separation distances 

and their relationship to the height of existing context 

buildings within the same block and/or across the street, 

as well as the relationship to open spaces 

• planned location and orientation of buildings, parks, and 

open space to maximize sunlight access, sky view, and 

energy efficiency 

• approach to providing building types with a range of 

housing options 

• approach to site and building environmental sustainability 

• for small infill developments, a "Block" context analysis 

may be sufficient 

c . For sites covering an area of one hectare or more, provide a 

Master Plan identifying the following aspects in addition to 

1.1(a) and (b) above: 

• a phasing plan, schedule and interim landscape plan 

where appropriate 

• a hierarchy of street and open space types with different 


characteristics based on their importance regarding their 

role as a place and as part of the movement network 

• a community focal point(s) within the development that is 

easy to walk to for residents and which is integrated with 

other open spaces as part of a network 

• location of site servicing, vehicular circulation and major 

utility connections including shared systems such as 

vehicular circulation and district/community energy 

systems 

d. Development proposals on sites where the minimum 

building setbacks and stepbacks cannot be achieved and/ 

or where the development cannot be successfully integrated 

into its context will require a redesign of the proposal 

to meet the minimum requirements contained in these 

guidelines. 

Continued on next page…

An illustration of a conceptual Master Plan 

for a larger development area containing 

multiple buildings, new streets and parks. 

New buildings are to 

consider context and provide 

appropriate transition to 

adjacent neighborhoods 

RATIONALE 

Context refers to the development site and the setting for that 

development, including both the existing physical surroundings 

and the planned vision for the future of the area. The planned 

context includes planning regulations that apply to the site, 

most notably the Official Plan land use designation(s) and 

zoning controls. The intent of the context analysis is to identify 

patterns, opportunities, and challenges and to demonstrate how 

the layout and design of the proposed development will fit with 

and respond appropriately to its context. 

The context analysis should inform many key design decisions: 

• Is the site one which will use existing street frontage to 

provide access and address for new buildings? Or is it a 

larger site which needs opening up by the addition of such 

public realm features as streets and open space? 


Larger sites require 

new open spaces 

for the community 

and neighbourhood 

Public Transit 

Route 

Arterial Roads 

Collectors and Local 

Streets 

Development Site 

Walkability Radii 

• Is the site adjacent to a park or open space which could 

be extended into the site and become an integral and 

supportive part of the new development? 

• Is the site adjacent to a rail corridor where a pedestrian 

and cycling trail could be provided within the setback 

area from the rail corridor. Or is it adjacent to a ravine or 

hydro corridor to which pedestrian/cycling connections 

can be made? 

• What are the appropriate building types for the context? 

• How should buildings be placed and organized to 

define and support the existing and proposed streets, 

and provide appropriate relationships to neighbouring 

properties? 

• What is the appropriate height and character of 

buildings? 


Continued on next page… 

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2014 / 2015 

16 

• Are there heritage resources on or adjacent to the site 

which will influence the layout, scale and character of the 

development? 

• Are there mature trees and existing topographical features 

which should be incorporated into the site design? 

• Are at-grade non-residential uses appropriate on certain 

frontages? 

In addition to the above, important contextual considerations 

may include existing uses such as public open space, 

community centres, schools, grocers, other retail and active 

commercial uses. Significant infrastructure elements to be 

considered include transit, cycling and pedestrian connections, 

sidewalks and community energy systems. 

The 250 and 500 metre radii are generally accepted measures 

for “walkability” and are roughly equivalent to a 5 and 10 

minute walk.The intent of the context analysis at a "walkable" 

scale is to develop an understanding of how the proposed 

development will fit with and reinforce existing or planned built 

form patterns and respond appropriately to changes in land use 

and scale. Connectivity to important area amenities, such as 

transit, public open space, and living and working destinations 

is also a key design consideration. 

The block scale analysis allows for a closer examination of the 

immediate existing and planned context. This analysis informs 

site organization including: open space allocation; building 

massing and placement; ground floor uses, and the design and 

character of the proposed development and the public realm. 

A Master Plan provides a planning and design framework to 

guide the incremental development of large or complex areas 

with multiple buildings, new streets, parks and open spaces. 

The Plan should provide a vision for the development of the 

entire site area, including how new streets, pedestrian and 

cycling routes, parks, and publicly accessible and private open 

spaces will be organized. These Guidelines should be applied to 

ensure that building blocks are appropriately located on the site 

and of a size suited to accommodate building types that will fit 

within the existing and planned context of buildings and uses. 

A Master Plan may not be required if there is a Secondary Plan 

that applies to the site, with associated Context or Precinct 

Plans that include comparable information and detail. 

Context analysis should identify gateways and important public spaces. 


Identify important community, cultural, and places of significance. 

Official Plan Reference 

2.2 Structuring Growth in the City: Policy 1 and 2 

2.2.1 Downtown: The Heart of Toronto: Policy 4 

2.3.1 Healthy Neighbourhoods: Policy 1, 2, 3 and 6 

2.4 Bringing the City Together: Policy 2 and 8 

3.1.1 The Public Realm: Policy 1c, 1d, 1e, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 

18, 19 and 20 

3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 1and 2| 3.1.4 

3.1.5 Heritage Resources: Policy 3, 4 and 17 

3.3 Building New Neighbourhoods: Policy 1, 2 and 3 

3.4 The Natural Environment: Policy 3 

4.1 Neighbourhoods: Policy 5, 6, 7 and 9 

4.2 Apartment Neighbourhoods: Policy 2 and 3 

4.5 Mixed Use Areas: Policy 2 

5.1.3 Site Plan Control: Policy 2 and 3 

Related Standards, Guidelines & Studies: 

Toronto Green Standard | Toronto Walking Strategy | Standard 

Construction for Roads

1.2 PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK 

Create connections through developments to enhance public access to transit, 

parks, open spaces, amenities and other neigbourhood destinations. 

1.2.1 STREET AND BLOCK PATTERNS 

a. Provide safe, direct, universally accessible pedestrian and 

cycling links through new development to destinations such 

as parks, schools, transit, community facilities, local retail 

areas, and utilizing areas alongside rail/hydro corridors and 

ravines to extend the network of connections. 

b. Use existing public streets where possible, for address and 

access to new buildings. 

c. Extend and connect public streets, sidewalks, and public 

realm to integrate new development into the surroundings. 

d. Provide new public streets in accordance with the City's 

Development Infrastructure Policy and Standards (DIPS) for 

access and address to buildings which cannot be accessed 

from existing streets. 

e. Where public streets are deemed by staff to not be possible, 

private streets will only be permitted where: 

• the site is under 1 hectare in size 

• the site does not have the potential to be connected to 

adjacent properties through a new vehicular access 

• parking is provided underground for all development that 

takes its access from the private street(s) 

• small sites which cannot accommodate a public street, 

with underground garages may use a vehicular mews or 

pedestrian mews as alternatives 

• townhouses on small sites and which cannot 

accommodate the scale of a public street with a turnaround 

may use a vehicular mews street 

f. Incorporate traffic calming features, such as on-street 

parking, bulb-outs, textured materials and crosswalks to 

create a pedestrian friendly environment. 

RATIONALE 

Streets are a significant part of the City’s open space system, 

delineating development blocks providing mobility as well 

as creating linear open spaces within the City. They provide 

a setting for social interaction and neighbourhood activities. 

Conceptual diagram of access and connection through development area. 

They provide street address for individual buildings or units and 

grade related uses. Streets also allow for sunlight and daylight 

to reach buildings and outdoor amenity spaces. The layout of 

the new public realm consisting of streets, mews, parks and 

open spaces is the structure upon which a walkable community 

is organized and must not be a secondary consideration after 

laying out building blocks and servicing functions efficiently. 

When sites are large and new buildings and individual grade 

related apartment units cannot take their address from existing 

streets, new streets and walkways will be needed. In general, 

the pattern of existing local streets should be extended into the 


new site. New streets should be laid out to reduce the impact of 

additional traffic on surrounding neighbourhoods. 

New streets should be public and conform to the City’s 

standards of quality. Standard public street right-of-way widths 

accommodate space needs for essential municipal services 

and utilities above and below grade, sidewalks, street lighting, 

landscaping and trees. They must accommodate space for the 

maintenance of this infrastructure and for snow, storage and 

garbage collection. 

Please refer to City of Toronto "Development Infrastructure 

Policy and Standards" (DIPS) for Public Local Residential 

Streets and Private Mews. Also, where it is necessary for a 

medium-sized site to be bisected by a street, it may prove 

acceptable to create a private street(s) to enable underground 

parking to be provided. (See also Section 2.1). 

17 


Privately Owned 

Pedestrian Connection 

pace (POPS) 

Public Street

1.2.2 PUBLIC PARKS AND OPEN SPACES 



2014 / 2015 

Locate parks and open spaces to provide focal points for the development and 

integrate well into a larger network of streets, parks and open spaces. 

Townhouse units are oriented facing open space to frame and strengthen the public realm. 

a. Locate and design new parks and open spaces to be visible 

and easily accessible. 

b. Design and provide high quality parks and open space that 

provide for safety, user comfort, accessibility and yearround 

use. 

c. Enhance the experience of "place", providing experiential and 

educational opportunities to interact with the natural world. 

d. Protect access to existing parks and open spaces, as well as 

expanding the system of open spaces and developing open 

space linkages. 

e. Promote the inclusion of recreational facilities, including 

areas suitable for community or allotment gardens, to 

supplement the City's parks, facilities and amenities. 

f. The City's Park, Forestry and Recreation Division will 

determine whether new or expanded parks are needed 

through the development approval process. Using the tools 

of the Official Plan, new parks, where appropriate, will be 

sited, secured and designed for public use. 

g. Extend parks and open space networks into new 

development areas to expand the scale and function of these 

spaces, where possible. 


h. Co-locate parks and open spaces with other public 

amenities, community buildings, schools, and shops. 

The requirement for new park area will be determined by local 

need, and opportunities for new park area will be sought which: 

• enhances the function of an existing park by adding new 

contiguous park lands 

• improves the visibility and access to a park by increasing 

street frontage 

• provides opportunities for movement through a block 

between streets or gives further access to ravines, school 

yards and other accessible open spaces 

RATIONALE 

With new development and growth, additional parks and 

publicly accessible open spaces will be necessary to provide 

18 


Pedestrian walkways through park lead to children play around and direct visitors to prominent views. 

community gathering spaces for walking, meeting, recreation 

and other aspects of public life. On smaller infill sites, these 

will be provided within the existing framework of parks and 

open spaces. Larger sites will be reviewed to consider the 

opportunities to provide new appropriately sized, located and 

designed parks and open spaces. Smaller sites over a certain 

size threshold and development type will be reviewed to explore 

opportunities for shared amenity spaces. 

Each development application should be reviewed with the 

goal of enhancing the community's network of parks and open 

spaces. The review should look at opportunities to increase 

the visibility and accessibility to parks and open spaces. Where 

appropriate, opportunities to enlarge or create new parks and 

open spaces should be pursued. Adding to variety, in terms 

of the character, function and range of experiences offered by 

the local network of parks and open spaces, should be another 

important consideration. Good quality parks and open spaces, 

which are attractive, inviting, safe and well-maintained, are 

key elements of the character of the community and play an 

important role in enhancing the quality of life for new and 

existing residents. Parks and open spaces can also define the 

identity of an area, establish a sense of place and set the tone 

for the entire community. 

The structure of streets, parks and open spaces, 

along with appropriately located, sized and detailed buildings, 

and their ground floor uses will, in part, determine the safety, 

enjoyment and the quality of these open spaces. 


Parks are the focal points of communities and should be located centrally to provide ease 

of access and visibility. 


2.3.2 Toronto's Green Space System and Waterfront: Policy 1b 

and 3b | 3.1.1 The Public Realm: Policy 19 and 20 | 3.1.2 Built 

Form: Policy 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6| 3.2.3 Parks and Open Spaces: 

Policy 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 


Toronto Green Standard 


19

1.3 HERITAGE 


Locate and design buildings to respect and complement the scale, character, form 

and setting of on-site and adjacent heritage properties and Heritage Conservation 

Districts (HCDs). 

Provide front yard 

setback to align with 

adjacent built form 

Transition to fit-in with 

adjacent built forms 

and frame street 

a. Conserve and integrate heritage properties into 

developments in a manner that is consistent with accepted 

principles of good heritage conservation. Building proposals 

with adjacent or on-site heritage properties or within an HCD 

are required to provide a Heritage Impact Assessment as 

part of a complete application. 

b. Conserve the integrity of the cultural heritage values, 

attributes, character, and three-dimensional form of an 

on-site heritage building or structure or property within an 

HCD. Façade retention alone is not an acceptable method of 

heritage preservation. 

c. When a proposed building is adjacent to a lower-scale 

heritage property: 

Respect and enhance 

architectural features 

and rhythms of 

heritage building 

Preserve prominent 

views of heritage 

building with strategic 

building setback and 

stepbacks 

Incorporate heritage 

landscape design as part 

of conservation strategy 

d. Ensure that Low-rise, multi-unit buildings do not visually 

impede the setting of properties on the heritage register 

inventory. The objective for the long-term preservation, 

integration, and re-use of heritage properties may mean 

that not all sites with or adjacent to heritage properties 

are appropriate for this form of development. 


• design new buildings to respect the urban grain, scale, 

setbacks, proportions, visual relationships, topography, 

and materials of the historic context 


2014 / 2015 

• integrate the existing heritage character into the building 

through high-quality, contemporary design cues 

• ensure consistency with applicable HCD Plan 

requirements 

Heritage building 

carefully transformed 

into townhouse 

development. 

20 


Adaptive re-use of heritage building for grade related low-rise apartments. 

RATIONALE 

The City of Toronto values its heritage properties and 

Heritage Conservation Districts (HCDs) and requires that 

they be protected and, where appropriate, integrated into 

new development in a manner that is consistent with 

accepted principles of good heritage conservation. 

There may be instances where conservation principles 

outweigh the goals of intensification and redevelopment, 

and may limit the construction of buildings or require 

additional “breathing space” to preserve the integrity 

of an HCD, heritage property, or specific attributes. In 

locations where proposed developments are considered 

appropriate, heritage properties should be referenced 

to inform the scale and contextual treatment of the new 

development. If well designed and appropriately sited, new 

development buildings can make a positive contribution to an 

historical setting. 


Low-rise, multi-unit building development proposals containing 

heritage properties on or adjacent to the development site are 

required to provide a Heritage Impact Assessment as part of 

the application review process. The impact of the proposed 

development or site alteration on the heritage property will 

be evaluated and an overall approach recommended for 

conservation of these resources that mitigates the negative 

impacts a development may have on the heritage asset. 



2.2.1 Downtown: The Heart of Toronto: Policy 5 and 6 

2.3.1 Healthy Neighbourhoods: Policy 1 and 2 

3.1.5 Heritage Resources: Policy 1, 2, 4, 10b, 10c, 11,12, 26, 

28, 29, 30, 31, 43 

Related Standards, Guidelines & Studies 

Guidelines, #4 | Parks Canada: Standards and Guidelines for the 

Conservation of Historic Places in Canada 

21




2014 / 2015 

22


2.1 Streets, Mews and Walkways 

2.2 Shared Outdoor Amenity Space 

2.3 Building Placement 

2.4 Building Address 

2.5 Site Servicing, Access and Parking 

2.5.1 Site Servicing, Access and Parking for Smaller Street- 

Related Townhouse Sites 


SITE ORGANIZATION | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES 

23

2.1 STREETS, MEWS AND WALKWAYS 


Provide new streets, mews and walkways for safe, comfortable and direct access 

and address for all new buildings. 

Appropriately scaled buildings help to frame streets and provide a comfortable pedestrian environment. Credit: Tact Architecture Inc. 

a. Locate and design public streets, private streets, private 

vehicular mews, pedestrian mews and walkways to: 

• provide safe, direct, universally accessible, landscaped 

pedestrian and cycling connections to destinations within 

and through the new development including links to 

schools, transit, community facilities, and retail areas 

• extend and connect to the local street network with 

multiple access points to avoid dead-end routes 

• provide through-lanes (public or private) to minimize 

vehicle turnarounds. 

• be publicly accessible and designed to invite public access 

• locate access on secondary streets and consolidate 

access points when possible to minimize curb cuts. 

• coordinate and consolidate servicing, parking access and 

utilities to maximize efficiency and minimize negative 

impacts on neighbouring properties and interruptions to 

the public realm 

• create attractive and comfortable, year-round pedestrian 

environments with landscaping including canopy trees, 

pedestrian scale lighting and other amenities 

• provide and connect pedestrian and cycling pathways 

alongside ravines, open spaces, and rail corridors where 

the opportunities exist 

RATIONALE 

Streets, mews and walkways form the fundamental site 

organizational element in low-rise developments. Locate 

buildings and design sites to encourage walking and cycling 

as viable transportation options for building occupants. 


Encouraging these forms of active transportation will promote 

a healthier citizenry. High-quality pedestrian and cycling routes 

should be well-connected to existing infrastructure, such 

as transit, bicycle lanes, parking facilities, and the sidewalk 

network. 

More than just circulation routes, streets, mews and walkways 

are place-making opportunities that can provide a sense of 

place and allow communities to connect with each other. These 

routes have the potential to be attractive and enjoyable publicly 

accessible environments to enhance the experience and quality 

of life. 


2014 / 2015 

24 


3.1.1 Public Realm: Policy 5, 6, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 | 3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 5 | 3.3 Building New Neighbourhoods: Policy 1a, 2b and 3a | 

5.1.3 Site Plan Control: Policy 3a 


Toronto Green Standard | Standard Construction Drawings for Roads | Streetscape Manual | Privately Owned Publicly-Accessible Space 

Design Guidelines 


Public 

Sidewalk 

Pedestrian 

Walkway 

Public 

Sidewalk 

2.1 STREETS, MEWS AND WALKWAYS CONT. 

The following public/private street, private vehicular and pedestrian mews, lane/driveway, and walkway sections with associated 

setbacks and permitted encroachments are typical access elements for townhouse and low-rise apartment buildings. (See also 

Section 1.2 Public Realm Framework) 

Public Street - the design standards are specified in Development Infrastructure Policy and Standards (DIPS). Where front integral 

garage parking is provided, the minimum front yard setback is 4.5m from the property line (with the garage portion of the building 

setback 6.0m); where parking is underground or at the rear, the minimum setback is 3.0m. 

Well-proportioned public streets create framework for attractive 

neighbourhoods and streetscapes. 

Max 

1.8m 

Front Yard 

Setback 

Without Front 

Integral Garage 

Min 

3.0m 

Max 

1.8m 

PL 

Min 

2.1m 

Right of Way 

Varies 

(Refer to DIPS) 

Public Street 

Min 8.0m with 

on street parking 

Min 6.0m without 

on street parking 

Min 

2.1m 

PL 

Max 

1.8m 

Front Yard 

Setback 

with Front 


Min 6.0m to 

Garage Door 

Private Street - a privately owned and maintained street, where the required parking must be located underground, the minimum 

front yard setback is 4.0m as measured from the inside of the adjacent sidewalk. (See Section 1.2.1 e. Access and Connection for 

the conditions under which a Private Street would be permitted) 


Min 

4.5m 


Porch 

& 

Landscaped 

Area 

Private Street 

with Emergency 

Vehicular Access 

Min 

4.0m 

Min 

2.1m 

Min 

2.0m 

Private street dominated by large stairway encroachments into 

insufficient setbacks affecting otherwise good streetscape 

design. 


25

Pedestrian 

Walkway 

2.1 STREETS, MEWS AND WALKWAYS CONT. 


Private Vehicular Mews - the design standards are specified in DIPS. A private vehicular mews is a privately owned and maintained 

street where front integral parking is provided and where the maximum length of the private mews is 45.0m from the curb of the existing 

public street and contains a maximum of 10 units (not counting units that front onto an existing public street). The minimum front yard 

setback is 6.0m as measured from the inside of the adjacent sidewalk. 

Utectus, conseque oditiatur sam, quaerchicia iusandi orerum et et perumquae quatem. 

Tatecus animus reris eat ame es 

Max 

1.8m 

Front Setback 

with Front 


Min 

6.0m 

Min 

2.1m 

See 3.2 Separation Distances 

and Setbacks for details. 

Mews Street 

Lane/Driveway – a road surface that provides vehicular access to a parking garage/area and/or service area, and which does not provide 

pedestrian access to or address for buildings. Where vehicles can enter and exit a site travelling in one direction the lane/driveway may 

be a minimum of 4.5m in width. 

Min 

8.0m 


Laneway 

Access 


2014 / 2015 

Units and associated terraces overlook a well-designed laneway with landscaped areas 

and carefully located utilities. 

Min 

1.0m 

Min 

6.0m 

Min 

1.0m 

26 


Pedestrian 

Walkway 

Thru-Block 

Pedestrian 

Walkway 

Pedestrian Mews - a privately owned and maintained pedestrian route visible from the street which provides public access and 

address to individual buildings and units within a larger development site. (For separation distances between buildings see Section 

3.2 Separation Distances, Setbacks and Orientation) 

See 3.2 Separation Distances 

and Setbacks for details. 

Max 

1.8m 


Min 

Min Min Min 

1.5m - Max 

3.0m 3.0m 2.1m 3.0m 

Pedestrian mews with central green space and pedestrian walkways framing the 

shared area. 

Walkway - a privately owned and maintained pedestrian path. 

Employ minimum walkway dimensions as follows: 

and pedestrian scale lighting. 

Landscaped 

Area 

Landscaped 

Area 

Max 

1.8m 

Min 

1.5m - Max 

3.0m 

• when the walkway is the primary access to units, provide a minimum building separation of 6.0m and a clear path width of at 

least 2.1m landscaping and pedestrian scale lighting. 

• for a walkway providing a mid-block connection between two streets or to site features, provide a minimum building 

separation of 4.5m and a clear path of at least 2.1m landscaping and pedestrian scale lighting. 

• for a walkway that does not provide direct access to a unit or is not a mid-block connection, but provides access to a 

parking or service area, provide a minimum building separation of 3.0m and a clear path width of at least 1.5m landscaping 


Side-to-Side 

Condition 

Generous walkway through the building massing frames 

views and creates a gateway. 

Narrow walkway between building blocks with 

landscaped area. 

Landscaped Area 

Min 

2.1m 

Varies 

Landscaped Area 

27

2.2 SHARED OUTDOOR AMENITY AREAS 



2014 / 2015 

28 

Design open spaces and shared outdoor amenity areas to be publicly accessible 

community focus areas. 

High quality, centrally located, and sun filled amenity spaces are focal points of communities. Credit: David Peterson Architect Inc. Triumph Developments. Photo by: Ben Rahn, A-Frame. 

a. Maximize and create high-quality landscaped open space on 

the site. Opportunities may include hard and soft landscaped 

features such as courtyards and children's play space. 

b. Integrate existing natural attributes and topography within 

the development site and, where appropriate, make a public 

feature of these elements. 

c. Preserve and protect existing healthy trees. 

d. Animate and frame open spaces with appropriate building 

massing, elements and uses. (Eg. Entrances, windows, and 

active uses at-grade). 

e. Locate open space to maximize frontages on streets, mews 

and walkways to provide prominence, visibility and access. 

f. Complement and connect with open space on neighbouring 

properties, where possible. 

g. Locate children's playgrounds overlooked by residents to 

enhance informal supervision. 

h. Provide direct visual and easily accessible physical 

connections to streets, mews and walkways and create 

attractive views and community focal points. 

i. Locate and design amenity spaces for maximum access to 

sunlight. 

j. When required by the Zoning By-law, locate interior amenity 

facilities adjacent to shared outdoor amenity areas and 

provide windows and doors for direct physical and visual 

access between these spaces. 

k. Provide shared play space for children in developments 

with 20 or more units if no backyards are provided and in 

developments on sites of 1.0 hectare or more. 

l. Meet safety and universally accessible standards in the 

public realm. 


m. Locate parking, mechanical equipment and servicing areas 

away from amenity areas. 

n. Avoid locating shared amenity areas in isolated, irregularly 

shaped, inaccessible, and/or residual areas. 

Types of shared amenity area may include: 

Courtyards - landscaped open space, located in the centre of a 

single or consolidated block with no direct street frontage with 

potential for children's play space. 

Forecourts - landscaped open space between the public 

sidewalk and the main entrance of a building. 

Plazas - animated gathering place with predominantly hard 

surfaced landscape features flanking a public street. 

Urban Gardens - landscaped space, usually of intimate 

scale, open to a public street, located and oriented to provide 

maximum sunlight during midday with potential for children's 

play space.

RATIONALE 

Residential developments zoned as apartments (primarily 

stacked and back-to-back townhouses and low-rise apartments) 

are required to provide a shared outdoor amenity area for 

developments with 20 or more units. Although this type of 

amenity space is typically privately-owned and maintained, it is 

to be designed as publicly accessible and appropriate for yearround 

use, particularly when part of its function is a pedestrian 

connection through the site. 

On-site shared outdoor amenity areas complement the public 

park system and provide additional gathering space to support 

community life. Townhouses and low-rise, multi-unit buildings 

are popular with families with children and pets owners. 

Developments with well-designed and located shared amenity 

areas with children's play space, facilities for pets and other 

shared elements allow residents to experience and share their 

collective property. 

The location of open spaces on a site, along with the type, 

size, and intended use of the space, may vary depending 

upon building use, the nature of the planned community, site 

characteristics and the range of existing open spaces within an 

easy walk. Providing well located, appropriately scaled, open 

space within a building site can help the new development fit 

with the existing context. These considerations are particularly 

important in areas when there is a shortage of public park 

space. 

The design should also create a micro-climate that supports 

pedestrian comfort, biodiversity, and meet or exceed public 

standards for universal accessibility, sunlight, sustainability and 

safety. 

A formal garden with good access to sunlight and sky view provides a place for pause. 


A courtyard with seating areas, mature shade trees and planting. 



2.3.2 Toronto's Green Space System and Waterfront: Policy 1b and 3b | 

3.1.1 The Public Realm: Policy 13a, 14, 15, 19 and 20 | 3.1.2 Built Form: 

Policy 1d, 3f, 5b, 5d and 6 | 3.2.3 Parks and Open Space: Policy 1a, 1c 

and 1d | 3.3 Building New Neighbourhoods: Policy 2a and 2d | 3.4 The 

Natural Environment: Policy 18a and 18f | 5.1.3 Site Plan Control: Policy 

3b and 3e 


Toronto Green Standard | Toronto Green Roof By-law | Bird- 

Friendly Development Guidelines 

A shared amenity space along the rail corridor. 

29

2.3 BUILDING PLACEMENT 



2014 / 2015 

Locate the buildings to frame the edges of streets, parks, and open space, 

to fit harmoniously with the existing context, and to provide opportunities for 

high-quality landscaped open space on-site. 

a. In general, build parallel to the street and extend the building 

the length of the site along the edges of streets, parks, and 

open space with front doors on the primary facade facing 

these areas. 

b. Under certain circumstances, it may be appropriate to 

define the edge of a street with the ends of building blocks 

provided that these "fingers" contribute to forming a street 

wall of primary façades with front doors. 

c. On larger sites, consider a combination of “parallel” and 

“fingers” orientations to provide variation along the street 

and within the site, while ensuring visibility and accessibility 

to the interior building blocks from the street(s). 

d. On larger sites where a new pattern of public realm is 

created, organize buildings to provide definition and support 

existing and new edges of streets, parks, and open spaces. 

e. Locate unit entrances so that they are directly visible and 

accessible from the public sidewalk. 

f. Where the existing setback pattern is consistent and not 

planned to change, align new buildings with neighbouring 

building frontages to allow new development to fit within the 

context. 

g. When existing setbacks are well-established, but vary on 

either side of a proposed development, locate and design 

the building setback to resolve the differences. 

h. Provide upgraded side elevations with windows and details 

consistent with front elevations when the side elevation is 

facing or visible to a street, mews, pedestrian mews, park or 

open space. 

i. On blocks where a consistent setback pattern does not exist 

or is planned to change, locate the building at the required 

setback line (see also 2.1 Streets, Mews, Pedestrian mews 

and Walkways, 4.1 Streetscape). 

j. On corner sites, align the building to the setback pattern of 

neighbouring buildings on both streets. 

Buildings placed parallel to street provide definition to street edge and help to reinforce the 

public realm. Credit: Tact Architecture Inc. 

k. Generally, provide breaks between buildings every 6-8 units. 

l. Provide greater building setbacks at strategic points or 

along the entire frontage, as appropriate, for architectural 

interest and to improve pedestrian amenity, including more 


space for tree planting, wider sidewalks, forecourts, plazas, 

and other publicly accessible open spaces. 

m. Maintain the character of existing soft landscaped 

streetscapes by providing generous setbacks for trees and 

plantings. 

n. On deep sites, setback buildings from side and rear yards of 

neighbouring properties to reduce the impact of shadow and 

overlook. 

o. On these deeper sites, organize buildings to define and 

support the new public realm in a manner that eliminates 

back-to-front facing relationships (such as front doors 

facing rear yards on the site or on neighbouring properties). 

p. Also on these deeper sites, where back to back units result 

in one side of the building facing an area that cannot be 

seen from a street, locate all entrances facing the street or 

use a through unit type instead. 

30 


Buildings frame the public realm. 

RATIONALE 

Toronto’s traditional urban pattern is of buildings aligned 

parallel to the street with a consistent setback from the front 

property line. Well-placed buildings can create a coherent 

streetscape and fit with existing neighbours. Where the setback 

pattern is not consistent or planned to change, the placement 

of buildings at the required setback line, parallel to the street, 

helps establish a pedestrian-oriented context for the future. 

Where the required setback line is at or very close to the 

property line, greater building setbacks at strategic points or 

along the entire frontage may be encouraged to expand the 

public realm and improve pedestrian comfort and amenity. 

On deeper sites where buildings deeper in the site are 

considered, they need to be setback appropriately from the 

neighbouring buildings to fit within existing and planned 

patterns avoiding overlook, shadows and inappropriate 

relationships to neighbouring properties. At the same time 

these buildings should be sited to provide appropriate definition 

for the new public realm layout in the site. 


Placement of townhouse units reference the neighbourhood character. 



2.3.1 Healthy Neighbourhoods: Policy 1 and 2 | 3.1.1 The Public Realm: Policy 1d and 9 | 3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 1, 2, 3, 5a, 5b and 5c | 

3.3 Building New Neighbourhoods: Policy 3b | 4.2 Apartment Neighbourhoods: Policy 2b, 2c and 3e | 4.5 Mixed Use Areas: Policy 2e | 

5.1.3 Site Plan Control: Policy 3c 


Accessibility Design Guidelines 

31

2.4 BUILDING ADDRESS 


Locate and organize buildings to frame and support existing or new streets, 

mews, pedestrian mews, parks and open spaces. Ensure front entrances are 

clearly visible and directly accessible from these spaces. 

a. Provide appropriate setbacks from the streets to allow for 

transition from the public realm to private development. 

b. Provide soft landscaping, walkways and projecting elements 

such as porches and canopies within the setback area. 

c. Depending on the type of the street and the elements within 

the setback area, the minimum setback may need to be 

increased to allow for sufficient soil volume to support large 

growing shade trees, respect the existing context, enhance 

the public realm/streetscape or provide privacy to units. 

(See Section 2.1 Streets, Mews and Walkways for minimum 

building setbacks from streets) 

d. Buildings on public/private streets, mews and accessble 

open spaces with residential uses at grade should have: 

• a primary entrance to the unit(s) with a front door clearly 

visible and directly accessible from the sidewalk via a 

walkway 

• primary windows facing the street or walkway 

• a prominent entrance with a well-detailed front entry 

porch or stoop (see Section 3.4 Building Entrances and 

Front Yard) 

• front yard landscaping including high branching 

deciduous trees and foundation planting 

h. Where building entrances are located within a pedestrian 

mews or courtyard, maintain high visibility and direct, 

generous, universal access from the public sidewalk. 

i. On corner or double-fronting sites, locate building fronts 

and entrances facing both streets. Buildings on corner sites 

require additional attention to building's corner treatment. 

Good example of corner expression on building addressing both the public street and 

pedestrian walkway. 



2014 / 2015 

32 

n. Where building entrances take their address from courtyards 

and pedestrian mews rather than streets, a way-finding 

system additional to the street address system needs to be 

provided. 

o. Where retail uses are part of the development, provide a 

separate entrance to each ground floor retail unit that is 

identifiable and directly accessible from the public sidewalk. 

Ab il inci ime sim eaque in natiatquiate necae non pro dolupta vollanim quis aut lamus dis 


RATIONALE 

Streets, urban parks and accessible open spaces are like A “back yard” condition between the building and the street 

public living rooms. Appropriately located, sized and detailed shall be avoided. Below-grade and at-grade terraces and 

buildings, and their ground floor uses, define the edges and exterior basement stairwells often have a negative impact 

help to determine the safety, use and quality of these spaces. on the public realm by preventing adequate landscaping in 

Aspects that need to be considered include: 

setback areas as well as reducing privacy for the resident 

in the lower unit (particularly with the minimal setback 

• Setbacks 

areas associated with the more intense forms of low-rise 

• Height 


development). 

• Transition 

• Building relationship to grade 

• Window and entrance details 

• Façade elements and materials 

• Landscaping 

The space between the building facade and the public boulevard 

is an important part of the image and character of the public 

realm. The setback and related elements provide the connection 

between the public realm of the sidewalk and the private realm 

within the buildings. Well-designed entrances, facades and 

landscaping, create an arrival experience and identity for the 

building. Typically, the most vibrant and interesting streets are 

lined with active, street-related uses where access is gained by 

a series of entrances connected to the public sidewalk. Clear, 

visible entries and views from building interiors to the street 

provide security for building occupants and pedestrians. Welldesigned 

landscaping, and moderate level changes can create 

an interesting and comfortable sidewalk and privacy within the 

residential unit. Further, in order to fully function as a front 

entrance, the interior of a residential unit at grade should have a 

foyer and a coat closet at the entrance. 

Setbacks allow for projecting elements such as porches, 

canopies, and landings. These elements add visual interest to 

the front façade, enhance the prominence of the entrances, 

provide transition in scale from the sidewalk to the main wall of 

the building, and often help the new development fit better with 

the existing neighbourhood context. 

A series of street-related entrances promote interaction between the building interior and 

adjacent public realm. 

Consider landscape and architectural treatments to the transitional space between the 

walkway, private outdoor amenity space, and building interior to provide privacy between 

residences and adjacent public realm. 



3.1.1 The Public Realm: Policy 1d, 1e, 6, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17 | 

3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 1a, 1b, 1c, 4 and 5c | 4.1 Neighbourhoods: Policy 5e and 9c | 

4.2 Apartment Neighbourhoods: Policy 2g and 3f 


Accessibility Design Guidelines | 



33

2.5 SITE SERVICING, ACCESS, AND PARKING 


Locate “back of house” activities, such as loading, servicing, utilities, and vehicle 

parking, underground, internally or in the rear, away from the public realm and 

public view. 

Public realm can be vastly improved when underground garage ramps and garbage storage areas are internalized into the building. Credit: Audax Archtiecture. Photo: Joy von Tiedemann. 

a. Incorporate parking garage ramps and access stairs, 

garbage collection areas and loading areas into the building. 

b. Provide access to site servicing and parking at the rear of 

the building or site, from a lane or from a shared driveway, if 

possible. 

c. Minimize the extent of site area dedicated to servicing and 

vehicular access through the use of shared infrastructure 

and efficient layouts. 

d. Minimize surface parking and drop off areas: 

• provide sufficient and convenient visitor parking 

underground and/or dispersed on site on streets via 

parallel parking 

• with the exception of front integral garage driveways, 

avoid locating parking between the building and public 

sidewalk or street (front yard areas) 

e. Provide pedestrian and cyclist access to and from parking 

access/areas that is clearly visible, well-lit, convenient, and 

easily accessible from the street. 

parking in accordance with the Toronto Green Standard 

and Guidelines for the Design and Management of Bicycle 

Parking Facilities. 

h. Recess, screen, and minimize the size of garage doors and 

service openings visible from public streets and public or 

private open space. Use high-quality doors and finishes. 

i. Encroachment of below-grade parking structures beyond the 


front face of the building and/or into the front yard setback 

is not permitted. 

j. Where below-grade parking structures encroach beyond the 

footprint of the building elsewhere on the site, provide high 

quality un-compacted soil for a minimum 1.5 metre depth 

below grade to support opportunities for tree planting and 

other soft landscaping. 

k. For surface parking lots refer to Design Guidelines for 

'Greening' Surface Parking Lots. 

l. For laneways providing access to parking, provide 

landscaping and lighting. 


2014 / 2015 

34 

f. Where long-term bicycle parking is located above grade, 

provide a visible and weather-protected parking areas. 

g. Locate short-term and long-term bicycle parking with 

direct access from the public street and near entrances to 

buildings and other pedestrian infrastructure. Design bicycle 

m. Offset access from the street rather than centred on the 

property in order to consolidate space for landscaping, 

where applicable.

2.5.1 SITE SERVICING, ACCESS AND 

PARKING FOR SMALLER STREET-RELATED 

TOWNHOUSE SITES 

a. Eliminate front driveways and garages in street-related 

townhouses generally and consider only when a unit is 6.0m 

or wider. 

b. In these cases: 

• the driveway width (including a walkway leading to the 

front door) is to be a maximum width of 3.0m for access 

to a single car garage in the front wall of the unit. 

• Ensure a minimum soil volume of 30m 3 to support mature 

tree growth in the soft landscaped portion of the front 

yard. (Depending on the type of the street and the setback 

elements within the setback area, the minimum setback 

may need to be increased to allow for sufficient soil 

volume to support street trees.) 

• Locate the garage door face a minimum of 6.0m from the 

inside edge of the sidewalk on a vehicular mews and from 

the property line on a public street 

• Recess the garage door face from the front wall plane 

c. Provide a minimum of 6.0m between individual driveways to 

accomodate on-street parking. 

d. Ensure that 50% of the lot frontage along the street 

comprises landscaping. 

e. Construct driveways with permeable paving and/or high 

albedo surface materials. 

f. Where possible, provide for garbage and recycling bin 

storage in the parking garage or in surface garages. 

g. Garbage pick-up on public streets will be provided in 

accordance to "The City of Toronto Requirements for 

Garbage, Recycling and Organics Collection Services 

for New Developments and Redevelopments" (Revised 

05/2012). 


Well designed garbage screening at the front of a unit facing the street. 



h. Where garbage pickup occurs on streets for individual units, 

provide garbage bin storage screening that hides the bins 

from view from the sidewalk. 

i. Public garbage pick-up for individual units from a lane is 

preferred when possible. 



35


RATIONALE 

Multi-unit, low-rise, buildings accommodate two types of 

activities at grade: 

“Front of house” activities, such as front entrances, primary 

rooms and landscaping, and “back of house” activities, such as 

parking, loading, and servicing. 

“Back of house” activities include, but are not limited to: 

• vehicle access, parking, parking ramps and access stairs 

• drop-off areas 

• garbage storage and collection 

• vents, utility meters, transformers, and other site utilities 

and servicing infrastructure 

“Back of house” activities are essential to the efficient 

functioning of new development. When these activities are 

concealed within and behind buildings, it promotes a safer, 

more comfortable and attractive public realm and pedestrian 

environment. 

Using the building or high-quality architectural elements and 

landscape design to screen vehicular access and site servicing, 

can help to mitigate noise, air quality concerns, and unattractive 

views within the building site and on adjacent streets, public or 

private open spaces, and neighbouring properties. 

Parking for low-rise, multi-unit buildings should not dominate 

the streetscape, but instead be located in underground shared 

garages or to the rear of buildings. Each curb-cut and driveway 

for service, parking and pedestrian drop-off creates a potential 

conflict with pedestrians. Multiple curb-cuts and driveways 

jeopardize landscaping opportunities and safety and comfort for 

pedestrians and reduce space for curbside parking. Buildings 

with front integral garages, which occupy the majority of the 

ground floor create an undesirable condition. 

Incorporate garage entrance into building. 

Avoid laneways like above without accommodation for utilities, landscaping and 

quality design, especially when amenity spaces overlook the area. 


Avoid freestanding underground garage ramps and access stairs. 


2014 / 2015 

36 


2.2 Structuring Growth in the City: Policy 3c | 2.3.1 Healthy Neighbourhoods: Policy 2d | 2.4 Bringing the City Together: Policy 2c, 7b and 8b 

3.1.1 The Public Realm: Policy 1d, 1e, 2 and 6b | 3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 1d, 2, and 5 | 3.4 The Natural Environment: Policy 18a, 18f and 20 | 

4.1 Neighbourhoods: Policy 9d | 4.2 Apartment Neighbourhoods: Policy 2d, 2e, 3d, 3g, and 3i | 4.5 Mixed Use Areas: Policy 2i and 2j | 5.1.3 

Site Plan Control: Policy 3a, 3b and 3h 


Toronto Green Standard | Guidelines for the Design and Management of Bicycle Parking Facilities | Bird-Friendly Development Guidelines | 

Design Guidelines for 'Greening' Surface Parking Lots

3.0 Building Design 

3.1 Fit and Transition in Scale 

3.2 Separation Distances, Stepbacks and Orientation 

3.3 Building Relationship to Grade and Street 

3.4 Building Entrance and Front Yard 

3.5 Private Outdoor Amenity Space 


BUILDING CONFIGURATION AND MASSING | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES 

37


3.1 FIT AND TRANSITION IN SCALE 

Ensure buildings fit within the existing or planned context and provide 

appropriate downward transitions in scale to lower-scaled buildings, parks, 

and open space. 

a. For new buildings where the adjacent context is lower in 

scale and not anticipated to change, provide a transition 

in the building height down to the lower-scale neighbours. 

Match at least the first building, unit or bay immediately 

adjacent to the lower- scaled context to the scale and height 

of neighbouring buildings. 

b. At the site scale, promote fit and transition in scale by: 

• accommodating all aspects of fit and transition within the 

development site 

• including buildings that relate directly to the height and 

typology of the existing or planned streetwall context 

• ensuring that new buildings respect the planned and 

existing building wall height for parks and open spaces 

Figure 1: Transition downward in 

height and scale to lower-scale area. 


c. For sites including or adjacent to heritage properties, design 

the scale and height of the building to respect and reinforce 

the height established by the historic context. 


2014 / 2015 

Avoid abrupt transitions in scale. 

38 


Horizontal facade transitioning 

to existing streetwall 


Porches, bays and other elements 

provide transition to adjacent lower 

scale development 

Figure 2: Step building massing or add porches, bays and other elements to provide transition to adjacent lower scale development. 

RATIONALE 

Appropriate fit and transition is achieved when new buildings 

• planned intensity of use and scale of development 

are integrated with the height, scale and character of 

• proximity and scale of adjacent built form 

neighbouring buildings and reinforce the city structure. 

Considerations of fit and transition should also take into 

• location or size of adjacent streets, parks and open space 

account the impact of a development on adjacent parks, open 

• potential impact on privacy, daylight, sky view, sunlight/ 

spaces and streets in terms of maintaining a consistent base 

shadow for the public realm and neighbouring properties 

building wall height and access to sunlight and sky view. 

• potential impact on heritage properties and/or Heritage 

Conservation Districts 

On sites that are adjacent to or across the street from lower 

• potential impact on identified important views from the 

buildings, the massing of new low-rise buildings should step 

public realm 

down or include lower scaled building elements that respond to 

the building height and mass of the neighbouring buildings. 

• environmental sensitivity of adjacent natural features 

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate typical scenarios of building fit and 

(woodlots, ravines.) 

transition. The actual design approach and methods used to 

achieve appropriate fit and transition will be determined on a 

site-by-site basis and may vary according to the: 

• regulatory framework (e.g. Secondary Plans) 

• existing and planned context 

• size of the development site 



2.3.1 Healthy Neighbourhoods: Policy 1, 2a, 2b, 2c 3, and 8a | 3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 1, 3 and 4 | 3.1.5 Heritage Resources: Policy 2 and 5 | 

3.3 Building New Neighbourhoods: Policy 3b | 4.1 Neighbourhoods: Policy 5 and 9 | 4.2 Apartment Neighbourhoods: Policy 2a, 2b and 3d | 

4.5 Mixed Use Areas: Policy 2c and 2d 

39



2014 / 2015 

40 

3.2 SEPARATION DISTANCES AND SETBACKS 

Locate and design buildings to ensure sunlight and sky views and reduce overlook 

conditions between buildings and neighbouring properties 

a. For front to front and back to back building blocks, generally 

provide a separation distrance of 15.0m or in accordance 

with the chart on this page. 

b. In order to ensure sunlight into lower units, additional 

separation distance is required for below-grade entrances 

and/or private outdoor amenity spaces. 

c. Setbacks and stepbacks between buildings assist in 

achieving the above objectives and in creating desirable 

public/private amenity spaces on the development site and 

appropriate relationships to adjacent properties: 

• For front to front and back to back building blocks, fit 

buildings within a 45 degree angular plane originated from 

the top of the main wall of the building. (The main wall 

height is measured from the average grade of the building 

frontage at the walkway abutting unit entrances to the top 

of the main wall) 

• Provide a minimum 7.5m rear yard setback from the 

property line 

• Provide a 45 degree angular plane measured both from 

the rear property line of an adjacent residence and/or 

lands designated Neighbourhoods and/or Parks and Open 

Space Area 

Roof/ 

Roof Access 

45° 

Separation Distance See 

Chart for Dimensions 

Main Wall 

Height 

45° 

Approx. no. of 

Storeys 

Roof/ 

Roof Access 

Required Minimum 

Separation Distance 

9.0m or less 2.5 11.0m* 

9.0-10.5m 3-3.5 13.0m* 


12.0m 3.5-4.0 15.0m* 

*Additional separation distance is required when belowgrade 

entrances and/or below-grade private outdoor amenity 

spaces are provided adjacent to units. 

On one (1) side of the pedestrian 

mews 

On both sides of the pedestrian 

mews 

Separation Distances between Front to Front and Back to Back Buildings 

1.0m 

2.0m 


Landscaped 

Setback 

Min 

4.45m 

Min 

2.1m 

Min 

4.45m 

Landscaped 

Buffer Area 

Min 

4.45m 

Pedestrian 

Walkway 

Min 

2.1m 

Separation Distance of 

11.0m to 12.0m 

Landscaped 

Buffer Area 

Min 

4.45m 

Min 1.5m to 

Max 3.0m 


11.0m to 12.0m 


Separation Distance between 11.0 - 12.0m in a Pedestrian Mews 

Separation Distance Greater than 12.0m in a Pedestrian Mews 

Pedestrian Walkway 

and 

• Where a public laneway Landscaped abuts a site, the laneway may be 

Buffer Area 

included for the purposes of establishing the setback and 

angular plane 

• Provide a minimum of 7.5m between the faces of a 

building Min 1.5m containing to primary living spaces 

Varies 

Min such 1.5m to as living 

Max 3.0m 

Max 3.0m 

and dining and the side of another building or side 


property line 

Greater than 12.0m 

• When integrating new single unit townhouses into an 

existing context, use the same side yard setbacks as the 

Sufficient separation distance allows for attractive landscaping between buildings, good 

neighbouring properties 

access to sunlight and sky views. Avoid more than 3-5 steps up or 8-9 steps down to the 

units to further improve the shared spaces between buildings. 

d. Locate and orient windows, decks and balconies to limit 

overlook into nearby windows and amenity spaces of 

adjacent properties while enabling "eyes on the street" for 

common public areas. 

e. Ensure visual privacy between residential units including 

balconies, porches, terraces and private amenity spaces. 

This can be accomplished through the design of units (such 

as off-setting the location of windows in facing walls) and 

by the use of landscaping or screening 

devices. 

45° 

Angular 

f. Avoid building element projections, such as balconies, into 

Plane 

setback areas, streets, mews, and amenity areas to protect 

access to light and sky view. Private 

Neighbourhood 

Driveway/Outdoor 

Designation 

Amenity 

Private Outdoor 

Amenity Space Area 





Pedestrian Walkway 

and 

Landscaped 

Buffer Area 

Varies 


Greater than 12.0m 



Min 1.5m to 

Max 3.0m 


PL 

Min 

1.5m 

6.0m 

7.5m 

Minimum Rear Yard 

Setback 

Appropriate spaces and landscaping between buildings provides adequate light, view and 

privacy conditions. 


41


3.2 SEPARATION DISTANCES, SETBACKS AND ORIENTATION CONT. 

RATIONALE 

The former City of Toronto and the CMHC guidelines for Light, 

View and Privacy prescribe a minimum 15m facing distance 

or separation. Experience and analysis of employing the 

15.0m separation standard through the City's Infill Townhouse 

Guidelines (2003) confirm the appropriateness of upholding the 

application of this performance measure. However, the formula 

to determine the recommended separation distance is tied to 

the building height which will typically generate separation 

distances from 11.0 to 15.0m. These Guidelines establish 

minimum separation distances between buildings to ensure 

that three critical aspects of design are adequately addressed - 

sunlight inside a dwelling and to open spaces, reasonable view 

from a unit, and privacy. 

When the appropriate separation distance is combined with 

good building orientation and effective angular planes, buildings 

that face east, west, and south, five hours of direct sunlight 

during the solstices can be achieved within the units. The 

minimum separation distances contained in the chart on page 

40, were created by multiplying 1.25 times the main wall height. 

The main wall height plus the remainder of the building height 

under the 45˚ angular plane generally achieves a 1:1 ratio of 

building height to separation distance. This ratio is the same as 

that used for mid-rise buildings to achieve five hours of sunlight 

on south facing sidwalks on the opposite side of the street. 

Direct sunlight, can penetrate into the lowest units and trees 

and vegetation have the opportunity to thrive, improving the 

usability and enjoyment of outdoors. 

Angular planes are a commonly applied measure to achieve 

acceptable transitions in scale between taller and lower 

buildings or areas. By applying an angular plane, adverse 

shadowing effects and the intrusion of overlook from a building 

can be limited. In the absence of other applicable in-force 

planning regulations, a 45 degree angular plane, measured 

from the relevant property line(s) at grade, is typically used to 

achieve a transition in scale between taller and lower buildings 

or areas (such as stable residential Neighbourhoods). 



Limit projections into the open space to ensure that natural light is not restricted 

to areas below. Narrow facing distances between buildings and stacked private 

amenity spaces create poor light, new + privacy conditions as in the example above. 


2014 / 2015 

42 


3.1.1 Public Realm: Policies 1d, 1e and 2 | 3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 3d, 3e, 3f, and 4 | 3.2.3 Parks and Open Space: Policy 3 | 4.1 Neighbour 

hoods: Policy 5e, 5f and 9b | 4.2 Apartment Neighbourhoods: Policy 2a, 2b, 3d and 3e | 4.5 Mixed Use Areas: Policy 2d and 2e

3.3 BUILDING RELATIONSHIP TO GRADE AND STREET 

Developments should relate directly to the existing or ‘natural’ grade and blend in 

with the context of the neighbourhood. 

a. Maintain the existing natural grade at property lines. 

b. Avoid artificially raised or lowered grades and drainage 

swales, or low-lying areas where water collects. (These may 

have an adverse affect on adjacent properties, open spaces 

or use of amenity areas, and may require retaining walls.) 

c. To avoid a long barrier-like flight of stairs up to the porch or 

stoop, raise the front entrance to the first floor no more than 

approximately 3 to 5 steps above the grade of the sidewalk 

directly at the front of the entrance. (See also Section 2.2 

Building Relationship to the Public Realm and Section 3.4 

Building Entrance, Front Yard and Private Outdoor Amenity 

Space). 

d. If there is a significant grade difference across a site, step 

buildings or segments of buildings in order to maintain the 

appropriate relationship to grade. 

e. Avoid significant changes in grade (greater than 4% slope) 

between the public sidewalk and pedestrian access and 

circulation routes. Ensure that routes across grade changes 

are universally accessible. 

f. Limit the maximum grades on landscaped areas to 

33% (3:1) or less to ensure that grassed slopes can be 

maintained. 

g. Limit the use of retaining walls, particularly along street 

frontages, parks, ravines and other areas of the public 

realm. 

h. Where retaining walls cannot be avoided, provide them in 

the form of low terraces with the total height not to exceed 

1.0 metre. Incorporate intensive soft landscaping in these 

low terraces and construct with durable and attractive 

materials. 

i. When appropriate, use the existing site topography to 

enhance the screening of service areas. 

j. Provide a site grading plan compatible with the stormwater 

management approach selected for the site (see also 4.2.1 

Stormwater Management). 

Good Example of Building relationship to Grade. 


Grade alterations create negative impact on adjacent properties. 

RATIONALE 

Raising development above the level of natural grade or the 

grade of abutting properties creates problematic conditions for 

adjacent properties, abutting streets and open spaces. These 

problems relate to issues of drainage, pedestrian access, and 

the quality of the public realm. Where it is necessary to resolve 

grade differences, stepped terraces are the preferred solution. 

To the extent possible, new developments should establish 

a conventional relationship to grade with a moderate grade 

change to differentiate the public and private realms. Any 

additional steps required to gain access to the first floor level 

should be within the unit. 


2.3.1 Healthy Neighbourhoods: Policy 1 | 3.1.1 The Public 

Realm: Policy 13 | 3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 1c 

43 

BUILDING CONFIGURATION AND MASSING | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES


3.4 BUILDING ENTRANCE AND FRONT YARD 

Ensure well-designed front entrances and and front yards. 

Limit the number of below-grade entrances to reduce impact to the public 

realm. 

a. Provide a transition from the public realm to private space 

with visual cues such as a change in materials, grade, 

landscaping, and architectural elements. 

b. Design building entrances and private outdoor amenity 

spaces to: 

• be integrated with the building massing/design, landscape 

features, and surrounding neighbourhood characteristics 

• maximize usability and comfort by enhancing quality of 

space with attention to building detail 

c. Allow encroachment of stoop or porch into minimum front 

yard setback to a maximum of 1.8m from main building face 

and up to a maximum of 50% of the front yard setback area. 

d. Finish canopy soffits and floors with durable and attractive 

materials to avoid exposing building structure (eg. 

unfinished concrete floor slabs). 

Maximize landscape area 

and ensure sufficient soil 

volume for tree growth 

g. Maintain high visibility and direct, generous, universal 

access from the public sidewalk to entrances located within 

a pedestrian mews or courtyard. 

h. On corner or double-fronting sites, locate building fronts 

and entrances facing both streets. Buildings on corner sites 

require additional attention to detail in order to enhance the 

corner. 

Max 1.5m 

Below Established 

Grade 

Window Well 


i. Where building entrances take their address from courtyards 

and pedestrian mews rather than streets, provide a wayfinding 

system additional to the street address system. 

j. Where retail uses are part of the development, provide a 

separate entrance to each ground floor retail unit that is 

identifiable and directly accessible from the public sidewalk. 

Porch - a raised platform projected from the building face at the 

level of the entrance that may be open or covered 

Max 1.2m 

Entrance Area 

Width 

Max 1.2m 


2014 / 2015 

e. Provide prominent, well-designed and integrated building 

entrances such as porches, porticos or canopies along the 

building frontage. 

f. Avoid multiple entrances to units completely recessed into 

the building and consider only in areas where minimal 

setbacks are appropriate and only when a very high level of 

architectural and landscape detail is applied. 

a. Design porches to: 

• be a maximum height above grade of 0.9m 

• allow encroachment of stoop or porch into front setback 

to a maximum of 1.8m from main building face and up to 

a maximum of 50% of the minimum front yard setback 

• be open or covered with opaque or translucent railings 

with hedges and foundation planting 

44 


Stoop - a small landing and/or steps in front of and at the level 

of the building entrance 

a. Design stoops to: 

• be a maximum height above grade of 0.9m 

• have railings, where required and foundation planting 

• have an awning or other weather protecting feature over 

the entrance 

Below-grade Entrance- an entrance to a below-grade unit with 

stairs 

a. Design below-grade entrance to: 

• have a maximum horizontal width and depth of 1.2m 

including the stair access and landing area. 

• have a maximum vertical depth of 1.5m from the grade of 

the adjacent sidewalk. 

b. Below-grade entrances are permitted along public and 

private streets provided that the soft landscaped area within 

the required building setback area has adequate soil volume 

to support mature public and private street trees and other 

plantings. 

RATIONALE 

The design of a building's front entrance and front yard is 

important due to its function and as a point of focus, transition, 

and entry for each visitor. The design, location, materiality, 

and scale of the entrance is also important in establishing the 

character for the building. 

Well-designed entrances and front yards maintain a level of 

formality and provide transition between the public and private 

realm. 

Limiting the size, location and encroachment of entrances and 

stairs and terraces will help to ensure that sufficient soil volume 

is available to support trees growth and other planting within 

the front yard setback. 

Limiting the number of stairs and the height of the porch or 

stoop is important to ensure that the front yard area is not 

overwhelmed by these elements and there is sufficient space 

for landscaping. 


Well-designed building 

entrance with raised 

porch, landscaped area, 

and canopy. 

Avoid excessive 

protruding architectural 

elements such as 

balcondies, roof lines, 

canopies, stairs, and 

below-grade terraces 

create an unpleasant 

pedestrian environment 

between buildings and 

over shadow amenity 

spaces below. 

Carefully composed 

and detailed facade, 

entrance, and 

fenestration design 

combined with high 

quality materials create 

a positive impression on 

the public realm. 



3.1.1 Public Realm: Policies 1d and 1e | 3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 1b, 3a, 3b, 5b, 5c and 6 | 


Toronto Green Standard | 


45


3.5 PRIVATE OUTDOOR AMENITY SPACE 

Maximize and enhance the usability, comfort and appearance of front entrances 

and private outdoor amenity spaces. 

Design roof top private 

amenity spaces to limit 

overlook into adjacent 

neighbourhood 

Inset balconies to avoid 

encroaching into facing 

distance and create 

negative impacts to 

units below 

a. Design private outdoor amenity spaces to: 

• provide an entrance to only one unit 

• have access to sunlight 

• provide functional outdoor space with greater than 1.5m 

in horizontal depth 

• design family-sized units to have views and access onto 

outdoor play area where possible 

• mitigate impacts on the public realm and neighbours - 

increased separation distances between buildings may be 

required to reduce impacts 

Grade-related private 

amenity spaces permitted 

on local streets only when 

raised & screened 

Private outdoor amenity spaces in low-rise, multi-unit buildings 

typically take the following forms: 

Balcony - an outdoor elevated platform projected from or 

integrated into a building which extends the interior living space 

and is enclosed by a parapet or railing (French/Juliette balcony 

while a useful attribute does not constitute private outdoor 

amenity space) 

Below-grade private amenity 

spaces are permitted internal to 

the site with max vertical depth 

of 1.5m 

Provide indoor amenity 

space and connect with the 

outdoor amenity space 

where possible 


a. Inset or partially inset to offer greater privacy and shelter 

from wind, reduce the building bulk and minimize the 

impact of shadow on other amenity spaces below. 


2014 / 2015 

46 

b. No private outdoor amenity space for dwelling units may be 

located below-grade or at-grade in the setback area adjacent 

to a public or private street. 

c. Private outdoor amenity space may be provided on an 

existing or new residential public street (as shown on the 

Official Plan Land Use maps and as defined by DIPS) or a 

private street, when raised above-grade as part of the porch. 

b. Project no more than 0.75m beyond the face of the building 

(eg. in the form of a French or Juliette balcony) when there 

is private outdoor amenity space below and/or within a 

pedestrian mews and walkway. 

c. Provide railings that are solid or translucent glass to 

increase privacy and reduce bird strikes. 


Min1.5m - Max 3.0m 

From Building Face 

Inset balcony reduces impact of the overhang for terrace below. 

Below-Grade Private 

Outdoor Amenity 

Space 

Max 1.5m 

Below Established 

Grade 

Min 2.0m 

Landscape Area 

with Min 30m 3 Soil 

Volume 

Terrace - an outdoor area adjacent to a unit located abovegrade, 

at-grade, below-grade, or on a portion of the roof area 

on a building 

Above-Grade Terrace 

a. May be located adjacent to a public/private street or mews. 

b. Raise terrace a minimum of 0.6m and a maximum of 0.9m 

above grade. 


c. Provide transitional landscape area with planting and 

landscape features. 

At-Grade and Below-Grade Terrace 

a. May be located internal to development site in pedestrian 

mews and not along public/private street, mews, and lane 

frontage. 


b. Limit the vertical depth of the below-grade terrace to a 

maximum of 1.5m from grade. 

c. Provide a minimum horizontal depth of 1.5m and a 

maximum of 3.0m from the main building face to the belowgrade 

terrace wall. 

d. Provide railings and hedging at the level of the walkway in 

order to provide visual privacy between pedestrians and 

occupants on the terrace. 

Landscaping at the level of the terrace and the sidwalk provide privacy for occupants of the 

outdoor amenity area. 

47


Roof Top Terrace 

a. Setback roof top terrace a minimum of 1.0m from the 

building face. 

b. Provide railings or walls that are translucent or solid to 

reduce overlook onto neighbouring properties. 

c. Program a shared terrace to accommodate outdoor 

activities such as seating and barbequing in a welllandscaped 

environment. 

RATIONALE 

For townhouses and low-rise, multi-unit residential 

developments, private outdoor amenity space is required in the 

Zoning By-law and/or desired as part of the development. 

Balconies and terraces can provide an important extension 

to the livable space of a dwelling unit. Under limited 

circumstances, terraces can act as an entrance into a unit as 

well. Care needs to be taken to ensure that the privacy of the 

occupants as well as those in nearby properties is maintained 

and public/private open space is not compromised. 

The placement and design of balconies and terraces can have a 

major impact on the real and perceived bulk of a building and, if 

poorly located and designed, may overly clutter the face of the 

building and add to the impact of shadowing, reduced privacy 

and loss of sky view. 

Private outdoor amenity space, such as balconies, gardens and 

roof terraces, should have access to sunlight, be comfortable 

and designed to afford a level of privacy. The needs of families 

with children and pet owners must also be considered. 

Energy efficiency considerations should factor into the design 

of balconies in terms of their location and the materials used in 

their construction. Furthermore, transparent glass balconies are 

generally discouraged, since they can pose a collision risk for 

migratory birds and do little to hide the household items often 

stored on them. 

Provide landscaped 

transition area to 

distinguish public 

and private realm 

Diagram showing apprpriate relationship between private outdoor amenity space and the 

public realm. 




2014 / 2015 

48 


3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 1b, 3a, 3b, 5b, 5c and 6 | 3.4 The Natural Environment: Policy 18f | 3.2.3 Parks and Open Space: Policy 1d 

3.3 Building New Neighbourhoods: Policy 2e | 5.1.3 Site Plan Control: Policy 3 


Toronto Green Standard | Toronto Green Roof By-law

4.0 Public Realm - Creating Pride in Place 

4.1 Streetscape, Landscape and Stormwater Management 

4.1.1 Streetscape 

4.1.2 Landscape 

4.1.3 Storm Water Management 

4.2 Site Elements Design 

4.3.1 Lighting, mailboxes and Other Shared Elements (Garbage 

chutes, parking garage access stair and elevators) 

4.4 Public Art 

4.3 Detailed Design 

4.5.1 Building Elements Design 


4.5.2 Windows, Doors and Roofs 

4.5.3 Materials 

PEDESTRIAN REALM - CREATING PRIDE IN PLACE | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES 

49

4.1 STREETSCAPE, LANDSCAPE AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT 



2014 / 2015 

50 

Provide high-quality, sustainable streetscape and landscape between the building 

and adjacent streets, parks and open space. The attractiveness and amenity of 

everyday landscapes are important to the quality of people's lives. 

Streetscape with high quality materials, pedestrian amenities, and landscape design. 

4.1.1 STREETSCAPE 

a. Create a strong visual and physical connection between the 

building setback and public streetscape through the use of 

consistent materials, grades, and design elements. 

b. Organize streetscape and landscape elements to support 

safe and comfortable pedestrian movement, highlight 

important building features, such as entrances, screen 

less attractive elements, such as parking access and utility 

equipment. 

c. Emphasize front entrances with high quality architectural 

and landscape design and materials, including lighting of 

paths and entries. 

d. Provide sustainable streetscape and landscape in 

accordance with the Toronto Green Standard and Urban 

Forestry practices including: 

• use species that are hardy, drought and salt-tolerant, and 

resistant to the stresses of compacted soils and weather 

exposure; plant trees at least 1.0 m from street curbs 

• providing sufficient sidewalk space 

• planting high-branching deciduous trees evenly spaced 

at 8.0-10.0 metre intervals to form a canopy, with a 

minimum volume of 30m 3 of high quality soil per tree. The 

minimum soil volume can be 20m 3 per tree where the soil 

volume is shared 

• avoid monocultures of street trees for extended segments 

which can be susceptible to disease 

• using high albedo and permeable materials to manage the 

urban heat island effect and stormwater 

• maximizing on-site stormwater infiltration, capture and 

re-use 


• providing energy efficient, pedestrian-scale lighting with 

shielded fixtures and automatic shut-off devices 

• providing bicycle parking 

e. On streets characterized by soft landscape setbacks or 

where residential ground floor uses require more privacy 

from the adjacent sidewalk, provide additional landscaping 

between the building face and public sidewalk. Such 

treatment may include tree and shrub planting, minor grade 

changes, railings, curbs, lighting and seating. 

f. Coordinate space for tree planting with utility locations and 

other city infrastructure. Where street trees and utilities 

conflict, additional building setbacks may be required to 

provide space for street trees. 

g. Provide lot frontage landscaping in accordance with City 

of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013.

4.1.2 LANDSCAPE 

To promote safe and comfortable use in open spaces and on pathways, provide 

high quality and attractive landscaping including lighting, tree and shrub 

planting, decorative paving, seating etc. 

a. Retain and protect existing trees, vegetation, natural slopes 

and native soils to integrate these features into the overall 

landscape plan. 

b. Distribute landscaping throughout the site to soften and 

screen services areas, reinforce circulation routes, create 

pleasant pedestrian conditions and maximize shade and 

stormwater benefits. 

c. Landscaped areas should be designed to accommodate the 

following: 

• Urban Forestry's Guidelines such as Plant A Tree, Grow 

Toronto's Urban Forest and Ravine Tree Planting along 

with Toronto Green Standard requirements 

• high-branching, deciduous shade and ornamental trees 

planted at intervals (or as appropriate to the selected 

species) to quickly establish continuous canopy coverage 

d. Select plant material that is suitable to the growing 

environment of the site: 

• include a minimum of 50% suitable native species 

• avoid planting invasive species, particularly near ravines 

and other natural areas, where only native species should 

be used 

• consider sun, shade and irrigation requirements. Where 

possible, collect rainwater from rooftops and other 

surfaces for plant irrigation. Identify storage reservoirs 

and other applicable irrigation elements on the Landscape 

Plan. Locate valves and other maintenance controls in 

discrete, yet accessible areas. 

• incorporate a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees 

and shrubs for year-round interest, texture, shape, 

seasonal colour and variety within each plant type 

e. Where landscaping may have an impact on motorist/ 

pedestrian sight lines, keep shrubs below 0.85m in height 

and prune trees so that the lowest branches will be at least 

2.0m above ground level. Limit any other landscape features 

that might cause obstructions to a maximum height of 1.0 

metre. 

Example of good landscaping. 


Ratain and protect existing trees. 

f. Maintain overhanging branches of trees or shrubs adjacent 

to pedestrian pathways for a clear pedestrian zone of at least 

2.0 m. 

g. Provide a landscaped area with a minimum width of 3.0m 

between surface parking and public and private streets 

and a minimum of 3.0m between all surface parking, 

streets, mews and lanes and an abutting property. Consult 

the applicable Zoning By-law for additional setback 

requirements. 

h. Provide adequate snow storage on site according to City 

requirements. 

51 

PEDESTRIAN REALM - CREATING PRIDE IN PLACE | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES

4.1.3 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT 


Integrate innovative stormwater management strategies into new developments 

to create functional and attractive landscapes. 

Green roof with native sedum mix. Credit: PWL Partnership Landscape Architects Inc. 

a. refer to the Toronto Green Standard and the Wet Weather 

Flow Management Guidelines for water balance targets and 

recommended stormwater management strategies. 

b. Minimize the extent of impermeable surfaces for hard paved 

areas; use permeable paving. 

c. Manage rainwater and snowmelt on-site with best practice 

designs that encourage infiltration, evapo-transpiration and 

water re-use: 

• apply a “treatment train” approach 

• plant trees, shrubs and other absorbent landscaping to 

provide shade and places for water uptake 

• create bio-retention areas, such as swales and vegetated 

areas 

• incorporate opportunities to harvest rainwater (active 

or passive) from rooftops and other hard surfaces for 

landscape irrigation 

RATIONALE 

Well-designed and vibrant streetscapes and landscapes are 

vital to the character and quality of the building site and the 

surrounding public realm, as well as to the livability of the City. 

Public streets, parks, and open space must safely and 

comfortably accommodate pedestrian movement, with street 

furnishings, lighting, bicycle parking, and landscaping. (as 

outlined in the City of Toronto Streetscape Manual, and 

Toronto Green Standard). All streets should have sidewalks 

and trees. When planting trees, it is beneficial to have as much 

appropriate planting medium as possible to enable the tree 

to grow to maturity. Less space reduces the life expectancy 

of the tree and the benefit that the tree will provide to the 

environment. 

High quality landscape design, material and maintenance, 

throughout the site, also plays a critical role in the success 

of a development. Good streetscaping and landscaping in 

a development contributes in a substantial way to citizens' 

quality of life and: 


• has a relatively low cost but a high impact on the 

appearance 

• helps to reduce wind and weather impacts 

• helps to reduce the heat island effect and heating and 

cooling costs 

• can offer aesthetic enjoyment, escape, tranquility, and a 

sense of belonging to an area 

• is often an important element in providing privacy and in 

making the transition from public to private areas 


2014 / 2015 

d. Where installed, bio-retention areas should be appropriately 

designed and located to filter, store and/or convey the 

expected stormwater flows from surrounding paved areas. 

Note: Bio-retention areas do not take the place of shared 

outdoor amenity area on site but can be integrated into the 

development, enhancing the open space. 

An ideal pedestrian environment includes trees for shade and 

greenery, plantings for seasonal variety and interest, pedestrian 

scale lighting for safety and appearance and permeable paving 

and soft landscaping for water infiltration. 

Allowance for pedestrians, cycling, motorist safety (as in 

sightlines) and maintenance need to be included. 

52

Public Sidewalk 

Edge Zone 

Stormwater refers to rainwater and melted snow that flows 

over roads, parking lots, lawn and other sites. Under natural 

conditions, stormwater is intercepted by vegetation and then 

absorbed into the ground and filtered and eventually replenishes 

aquifers or flows into streams and rivers. Later, part of it is 

returned to the atmosphere in the form of evapotranspiration. 

In urbanized areas, however, impervious surfaces such as 

streets and roofs prevent precipitation from naturally soaking 

into the ground. Instead, the water runs rapidly into storm 

drains, municipal sewers and drainage ditches and on its way, 

picks up pesticides, road salts, heavy metals, oils, bacteria, and 

other harmful pollutants and transports them through municipal 

sewers into streams, rivers and lakes. 

The Toronto Green Standard and the Wet Weather Flow 

Management Guidelines provide guidance on water balance 

targets and stormwater management strategies such as 

rainwater harvesting, green roofs, bio-retention, permeable 

pavement, soakaways and swales, to help ensure the continued 

health of aquifers, streams, rivers, lakes, fisheries and 

terrestrial habitats in our watersheds. 


Front Yard 

Setback 

Min 

3.0m 

PL 

Min 

2.1m 

Min 

6.0m 

Planting & 

Furniture Zone 

Public Street 


Bio retention feature integrated into development. Credit: PWL Partnership Landsape 

Architects Inc. 

Rooftop urban agriculture. Credit: PWL Partnership Landscape Architects Inc. 



2.3.1 Healthy Neighbourhoods: Policy 5 

Urban Design Streetscape Manual | Toronto Green Standard | 

3.1.1 The Public Realm: Policy 1d, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 18 | 

Vibrant Streets | Toronto Walking Strategy | 

3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 1d, 2b, 5a, 5b, 5d, 5e, 5g and 6 | 

Percent for Public Art Program Guidelines | 

3.4 The Natural Environment: Policy 1aiii, 1d, 18a and 18f | 

Wet Weather Flow Management Guidelines | 

4.1 Neighbourhoods: Policy 5f, 5g, 5h, 9b and 9c | 

Design Guidelines for 'Greening Surface Parking Lots' 

4.2 Apartment Neighbourhoods: Policy 2c, 3d, 3e, 3f and 3h | 

4.5 Mixed Use Areas: Policy 2e, 2f | 5.1.3 Site Plan Control: Policy 3b, 3d, 3e and 3g 

53

4.2 SITE ELEMENTS DESIGN 


Careful selection, placement, and design of site elements help to elevate the 

quality and the daily experience of the development. 

Good lighting provides improved comfort and sense of safety in the public realm. 

4.2.1 LIGHTING 

a. Provide a comprehensive Lighting Plan for the site. Lighting 

should help to create an identity for the development, 

enhance adjacent streets and pedestrian environments and 

be appropriate to the location, context and scale of the areas 

being lit. 

b. Select different luminaires with a coordinated appearance to 

light pedestrian pathways, building and site entrances and 

other relevant features. 

c. Provide pedestrian-scaled lighting, such as bollards or 

lower-scale pole fixtures along pedestrian routes. 

d. Balance the need for safety and security with the reduction 

of energy consumption and light pollution: 

• ensure all circulation routes are well-lit 

• install lighting that is appropriately scaled to its purpose, 

i.e. avoid “over lighting” 

Bicycle parking rings with high quality design. 

• incorporate opportunities for off-grid power generation, 

e.g. solar, wind, etc. 

• provide a photometric drawing which illustrates both 

horizontal (at grade) and vertical (at 1.8m above grade) 


lighting level 

e. Consider lighting elements for their aesthetic and design 

value, as well as their lighting function cost or ease of 

maintenance. 

f. Coordinate the location of lighting with pedestrian 

clearways, tree planting and other landscaping. 

4.2.2 MAILBOXES AND OTHER SHARED 

ELEMENTS (Garbge chutes, parking 

garage access tairs and elevators) 


2014 / 2015 

• direct light downward, with shielded fixtures to avoid light 

overspill on adjacent properties, streets and open spaces. 

Strive for vertical lighting along property lines to be 0 foot 

candles 

• use energy-efficient bulbs 

a. Integrate bicycle parking, parking garage ramps and access 

stairways, mailboxes, garbage chutes, generally within the 

building, and other applicable site elements such as public 

art into the site design and layout. Indicate the location of 

these elements on the Site Plan. 

54 


. Where integrating site elements within the building is 

deemed to not be possible by City Staff, conveniently locate 

site elements in attractive, well-designed structures with 

high quality materials and landscaping and incorporate 

sustainable materials and technologies whenever possible. 

d. Locate site elements in highly visible, well-lit, accessible 

and weather protected areas with well-landscaped pathways 

leading to the areas. 

e. Provide address numbers for each unit and way-finding 

signage where appropriate. 

f. Locate ventilation shafts and grates, away from the public 

sidewalk and walkways (especially the pedestrian clearway) 

and public or private open spaces. 

g. Locate transformers, utility metres and other site and 

building mechanical/equipment within a building, at the rear 

of the property, underground and/or ensure that they are not 

visible from the street or other public/private space: 

• locate individual HVAC units (heating, ventilation, air 

conditioning) equipment either on the roof, screened from 

view of the public realm or integrated into the building 

away from outside seating areas and building entrances. 

h. Where it is not technically feasible to integrate “back of 

house” activities underground or within the building mass, 

locate these activities to limit negative impacts on the safety, 

comfort, and quality of the public realm. Where appropriate, 

use high-quality architectural elements and landscape 

design to screen these activities from public view. Options 

include insets into building facades and screening with 

landscaping or low walls. 

i. Utility locations should not interfere with the viability of tree 

maturity or with stormwater treatment device. 

Well-designed seating bench integrated into landscaped planting bed. 

Good example of mail area integrated into building design with lighting and canopy. 


Locate and integrate utility meters in recessed coves and/or screen with landscape 

plantings to help maintain an attractive streetscape. 


j. Locate all elements on site plan drawings 


3.1.1 The Public Realm: Policy 1d, 6, 12 and 14 

3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 2c, 2d, 3b, 3d, 5c| 

4.2 Apartment Neighbourhoods: Policy 2d, 2e, 3g and 3i 

4.5 Mixed Use Areas: Policy 2j | 5.1.3 Site Plan Control: Policy 3g 



Poorly located utilities and mechanical systems adjacent to front entrance and street 

frontage negatively impact the quality and comfort of the public realm. 

55

4.3 BUILDING ELEMENTS 


Ensure attention to the quality of architectural design, materials, building 

articulation, and placement of mechanical and utilities. 

Section 4.5 focuses on various elements of the building 

envelope and site (see also Section 4.3 Site Elements Design) 

that contribute to the composition of the external appearance 

and that help create character and identity for development. It 

aims to provide guidance and practical solutions to issues that 

arise regarding design during the application stage. Overall, 

while each building may have its own distinct architectural 

identity, all buildings should be designed to provide a collective 

sense of cohesion and harmony. 

a. Ensure the highest quality of materials and detailing, 

particularly where there is an immediate interface with the 

public realm. 

b. The building elements which require careful attention to 

locations and design include: 

• doors, windows, roofs 

• retaining walls 

• railings 

• porches 

• flues, ventilation pipes and covers 

• flashings, gutters, pipes and other rainwater details 

• garage doors 

• ironmongery and decorative features 

• gas regulators, hydro meters, HVAC 

c. Anticipate the need and design for building elements early 

on in the design process. 

d. Provide variations in architectural design between building 

blocks for multiple block developments to create interest 

and character. 

Carefully composed and detailed facade, entrance, and fenestration design combined with 

high quality materials create a positive impression on the public realm. 

4.3.1 WINDOWS, DOORS AND ROOFS 

The position, shape and size of windows, doors and roofs 

have a profound effect on the elevation and are important to 

consider. 


a. Variation in the design and articulation of each building 

façade is encouraged to provide visual interest and to 

respond to design opportunities and differing facing 

conditions. 

b. Vary the design and articulation of each façade to respond 

to changes in solar orientation. Where appropriate, 

adjust internal layouts, glazing ratios, balcony placement, 

fenestration, and other aspects of the design to manage 

passive solar gain and improve building energy performance 

(see also 3.4 Building Entrances and Front yard). 


2014 / 2015 

56 

Detailed design of canopy 

and railing help provide 

unique building character. 

c. Ensure that windows and doors are of an appropriate scale 

in the façade and that each element in the façade has some 

relationship to each other and reflects the floor hierarchy. 

d. Distinguish building units and unit types by alternating 

roof types and color schemes to add variety and unit 

individuality.

Roofs 

The following elements should be considered regarding roofs: 

• Primary and secondary roofing materials 

• Construction form and detailing 

• Roof pitch and shape such as plain, gable, hip, flat, 

monopitch etc. 

• Fire break walls 

• Eaves, fascias and soffits 

• Dormers and sky lights 

• Parapets 

• Photo voltaic panels 

• Roof top amenity space access 

a. A limited range of roof types should be used per 

neighbourhood particularly if roofs are to be one of the 

devices to establish an identity for a neighbourhood. 

b. Developments should not just include the traditional pitched 

roof but particularly on key frontages should consider 

incorporating alternative styles such as mono-pitch, flat, 

dutch gable and curved as they can help create a more 

distinctive character. 

c. Pitched or mansard roofs which over-dominate the building 

should generally be avoided, but particularly on larger 

buildings (i.e. stacked and back to back townhouses and 

low-rise apartments as the scale of these building types 

does not relate to house-form buildings). Instead consider a 

step back of the top floor. 

d. Where possible, organize roof slopes so that they can 

accommodate photo voltaic panels. 

e. Avoid lengthy stretches of pitched roof on buildings at the 

same ridge and eave and height and provide articulation to 

emphasize the individual quality of the units. At the same 

time, avoid roofs that are overly complicated. 

Well positioned and high quality doors, windows, and architectural details such as canopy, 

railing, screen, and planting areas all work together to enhance the public realm. 

Example of building facade over cluttered with rainwater leaders, air conditioning 

units, utilities, and vents. 


f. Roof material, shape, texture and colors should be 

compatible with the overall architectural style of the 

buildings. 

g. Careful consideration must be given to the use of dormers. 

They can clutter the roofscape and detract from the 

proportions of the building if they are used excessively, 

made too large, too small, poorly organized and overcomplicated 

in design. Conversely a well-designed dormer 

and placed can add interest and quality to the building. 

h. Building elements that provide access to roof top amenity 

spaces should be for this purpose only and not used for 

living space. 

i. Consider the detailed design of the roof parapet firewall 

breaks in pitched roofs as they are often visible from the 

street. 


j. Rooftop building systems (i.e., mechanical and electrical 

equipment, satellite dishes) should be screened from all 

key observation points by integrating them into the building 

design with parapets, screens or other methods. 

k. Consider the design and location of chimneys to ensure 

that they do not have a negative impact on neighbours and 

complement the overall building design. 


57

4.3.2 MATERIALS 



2014 / 2015 

58 

High quality materials and carefully detailed design work together to create attractive building. Credit: Teeple Architects Inc. 

The application process will provide a greater level of clarity on g. To retain the coherence of an elevation or street frontage (to 

the external design of buildings: 

avoid it being untidy or too busy), it is generally a good idea 

a. Design buildings on both sides of the street holistically with 

a small selection of materials so that they can be “read as 

one”. 

b. Design buildings to blend in visually with buildings in the 

immediate surroundings, particularly those along the same 

street. 

c. Use materials that are of high quality, wear well with age 

and last a long time with low embodied energy and locally 

sourced if possible. 

d. Traditional materials such as brick are strongly encouraged 

and can be used effectively in both contemporary and 

traditional designs. 

e. Use materials with contrasting grain as well as colour for 

example brick, metal and wood. 

f. Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) and stuccotextured 

foam trim molding are discouraged on main 

facades. 

to: 

• restrict the number of materials and to employ the same 

material in different parts of the façade or frontage 


• generally use no more than three facing materials per 

elevation or street frontage. This is particularly important if 

materials are to be the key feature used to give identity to a 

neighbourhood 

h. The design, detailing and material quality of elements such 

as railings, windows, doors, trim, eaves, and steps are 

critical to displaying a building's overall quality. 

i. Changes in materials and color generally should not occur 

in the same plane as this may result in a "thin" or applied 

quality. Changes that correspond to variations in building 

mass or are separated by a building element achieve greater 

emphasis on the massing. 


RATIONALE 

The City of Toronto in these Guidelines, is not advocating 

and being prescriptive about a particular style of building or 

landscape for new residential development. Nor does it want to 

constrain design skills and creativity. However, good public 

realm demands high quality materials and design for buildings, 

streetscape and landscape. 

If Toronto has a traditional building material, it would be 

red and buff brick. Although a wide variety of materials have 

been used throughout the City's development, brick remains 

a durable and attractive material in both contemporary and 

traditional designs. 

Consideration should be given to the choice of materials for 

a development by determining the dominant character of 

materials in the surrounding area and whether this contributes 

to the character or identity of the street and/or area. 

As a general principle, the appearance of buildings and sites 

should reflect Toronto’s ethos of a forward thinking, innovative 

and unique city. New developments should provide an exemplar 

architecture that reflects this. Buildings should 'be of their 

time and place’. Poor quality buildings with a pastiche of 

architectural styles and details will not be supported as they 

do not help to create a coherent identity for the development 

and by extension, the City. Good contemporary design can 

sit alongside existing traditional development if appropriately 

designed. The key with all buildings is good quality architecture 

and materials. 

Official Plan Amendment 66 provides the City of Toronto with 

new powers over the exterior design of buildings as well as the 

inclusion of sustainable building features under paragraphs 

2(iv) and (v) of Section 114(5) site plan control. These 

provisions will help the City to achieve the objectives in this 

section. 

A simple palette of materials carefully detailed is designed to wear well with age. 




3.1.1 The Public Realm: Policy 1d and 1e | 

3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 3b, d and 6 | 

5.1.3 Site Plan Control: 1, 2 and 3 



59

4.4 PUBLIC ART 


Pursue public art opportunities and funding strategies on large building sites, or 

adjacent public lands, to enhance the quality of the development, the public realm 

and the city. 

Public art animates an under-utilized space in a new development. Credit: Shoreline Commemorative, Paul Raff Studios. Photo by: Scott Narsworthy. 

a. Where applicable, provide adequate building setbacks and 

space around public art so that it can be properly viewed 

and experienced from the public realm. 

RATIONALE 

Public art enriches the public realm by making buildings and 

open spaces more interesting, engaging, and memorable. 

When considered early in the project planning stages, the most 

effective locations and opportunities for public art can often be 

identified and secured. 

Public art opportunities on low-rise, multi-unit building sites 

may include: 


Public art integrated with landscape elements. 


2014 / 2015 

60 

• a conceptual framework to organize open spaces 

including parks, plazas, setbacks, or streetscapes 

• an independent sculpture or two-dimensional work that 

marks an entryway, corner, feature area, or view terminus 

• a combination of visual arts with the building elements, 

including façades, canopies, floors, and lighting. 

• visual arts combined with landscape design, functional, 

and decorative elements of a site, such as water features, 

lighting, seating, paving, walls, fences, entrances and 

exits. 

Public art located in the vehicular drop-off area provides placemaking opportunity. 


3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 5g | 3.1.4 Public Art: Policy 1d and 1e 


Percent for Public Art Program Guidelines

5.0 

Bringing it all together - Building Types and Development Scenarios 

5.1 Building Types 

5.1.1 Townhouse 

5.1.2 Stacked Townhouse 

5.1.3 Back to Back Townhouse 

5.1.4 Stacked and Back to Back Townhouse 

5.1.5 Apartment Building 

5.1.6 Hybrid Building 

5.2 Development Scenarios 

5.2.1 Shallow Mid-Block Parcel 

5.2.2 Deep Mid-Block Parcel 


5.2.3 Parcel Adjacent or with Heritage Resource 

5.2.4 Parcel with Multiple Building Blocks 

5.2.5 Large Parcel with Tower and Neighbourhood Edge 

5.2.6 Large Development with Multiple Development Blocks 

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER - EXAMPLE OF TYPES AND DEVELOPMENT SCENARIOS | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES 

Credit: Quadrangle Architects Limited 

61

Bringing it all together - Example of Types and Development Scenerios | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES 

5.1 BUILDING TYPES 

Section 5.1 Building Types, describes and provides the typical characteristics and appropriate site conditions for townhouses, stacked, 

back to back and stacked and back to back townhouses and low-rise apartments including hybrid buildings. (For information on how 

the townhouse and low-rise apartment types relate to the building types set out in Zoning By-law 569-2013, see the Introduction on 

page 9 of this document). 

5.1.1 TOWNHOUSE 

Townhouses share a side walls with 

neighbouring units. 

Building Type Characteristics 

• 2 to 3 1/2 storeys 

• Shares side walls with neighbouring units 

• Individual unit entrance to grade at the front of building 

• Distinct front and back side of building 

• Private outdoor space, rear yard or deck 

• Front or rear integral garages, or garage as 

separate structure 

• Underground garage is sometime provided as part of 

larger development 

Appropriate Site Conditions 

Rear Access Garage 

Appropriate when: 

• Vehicular access from public or private lane at the 

rear of the site 

• Adequate landscape area and setbacks 

are provided to screen adjacent property from lane 

Separated Garage 


• Vehicular access from public or private lane at the 


• Consistent with existing condition along public or 

private lane 

• Rear yards can be accommodated for units 

Rear Access Garage 

Townhouse 

Variation 1 

Townhouse 

Variation 1 

Unit entrances at front of building only. 

Unit entrances at front of building only. 

Garage at the rear of the building accessed 

Townhouse 

throught public lane or private driveway 

Variation Garage 1at the rear of the building accessed 


Separated Unit entrances Garageat front of building only. 

Garage at the rear of the building accessed 



Front Integral Townhouse Garage 

Variation 2 

Townhouse 

Variation 2 

Townhouse 

Variation 2 

A 

A 

A 

A 

A 

A 

B 

Appropriate site conditions: 

Sites where all unit entrances can fro 

Sites where all unit entrances can f 

Sites where front integral garages ar 

Appropriate Sites where site front conditions: 

integral garages a 

Access to public rear lane or private 

Sites Access where to public all unit rear entrances lane or can privat fro 

Sites where front integral garages ar 

Access to public rear lane or private 

B 

B 

B 


B 

B 


2014 / 2015 

Front Integral Garage 

Avoid wherever possible, only appropriate when: 

• No vehicular access can be accommodated at the 


• Adequate front yard landscaped setbacks and soil 

volume for street trees can be achieved 

• Unit width is a minimum of 6.0m 

A 

A 

A 

B 

B 

B 

62 

Townhouse 

Variation 3 

Townhouse 



Sites where all unit entrances can fro

ions: 

A A 

A A 

A A 

A A 

B B 

B B 

nces ont onto can onto public front onto street public with with access street with to to public access lane lane to to public or or private lane driveway or or private at driveway at the the rear rear of at at of site the the site rear of of site site 

A 

A 

A 

A 

re not not appropriate due due to to neighbourhood character such such as as front front yard yard landscaped setbacks or B or street type type 

B 

garages are are not not appropriate due to to neighbourhood character such as as front yard landscaped setbacks or or street type 

e or driveway or private where driveway appropriate where appropriate building setback building and and setback landscape and screening landscape can screening can be be provided 

can be be provided 

ns: 

nt onto public street with access to public lane or private driveway at the rear of site 

ces can front onto public street with access to public lane or private driveway at the rear of site 

not appropriate due to neighbourhood character such as front yard landscaped setbacks or street type 

arages are not appropriate due to neighbourhood character such as front yard landscaped setbacks or street type 

riveway where appropriate building setback and landscape screening can be provided 

or private driveway where appropriate building setback and landscape screening can be provided 

A A 

A A 

A 

A 

A A 

A 

B B 

B 

A A 

A 

B B 


B 

A generous landscape area along the rear property line provides 

buffer for adjacent property from new townhouses and garage and 

enhances the views from the townhouses 

Separate garages are integrated into the design of the building, 

landscape and laneway. 


A A 

A A 

A A 

A A 

B B 

B B 

Avoid front integral garages that dominate the building facade and 

streetscape leaving little room for landscaping and front yards. 

ions: 

A 

A 

A 

A 

B 

ront nces onto can onto public front onto street public but but no street no access but but to no no to public access lane lane to to public or or private lane driveway or or private at driveway at the the rear rear of at at of site the the site rear of of site site 

B 

63 

garages l re acceptable are are acceptable and and appropriate and appropriate amounts of of amounts front front yard yard of of landscape front yard area/soil landscape volumn area/soil can can volumn be be achieved 

can be be achieved


5.1.2 STACKED TOWNHOUSE 

Stacked townhouses share side walls and have units stacked vertically. All units 

have direct access to grade from the front of the building, allowing the rear of the 

site to be used as shared or private amenity space. 


• Share side walls and have units stacked vertically 

• Units have direct access to grade at the front of building 

• Distinct front and back sides 

• Underground parking typical 



• Rear yard to rear yard building relationship is preferred 

to interface with new or existing neighbourhood 

• Underground parking is provided 

• Servicing and loading areas are integrated into the 

building 

• Shadow, overlook, and privacy concerns are mitigated 

• No below-grade or at-grade private outdoor amenity 

spaces are provided along public street frontage 

Design Considerations 

• Provide prominence to the entry area by including 

canopy and stoop or porch 

• Detail the entrance area carefully with high quality, 

durable materials, attention to detail and lighting 

• Provide distingishing features in multiple block 

developments to improve wayfinding and variety to 

building design 

Typical Layout 

A 

C 

A 

B 

Various forms of stacked townhouses exist. Some arrangements have a single level at-grade units with 

a two-storey upper unit. 

B 

A 



B 

A 

B 


2014 / 2015 

64 

C 

Stacked Townhouse 

Variation 1 

Unit entrances on one side of the building 

Below-grade outdoor amenity spaces are not permitted along street frontage. 

Units stack on top of one another with 

grade-related entrances 

Stacked Townhouse 

Variation 1 

Unit entrances on one side of the building 



Approp 

Small s 

Site wh 

Large s 

Parking 

Appropri 

Small site 

Site where 

Large site

ith 


B 

A 

B 

A 

B 

A 

B 

A 

C 

B 

A 

B 

A 

A 

Small sites with shallow depths where all unit entrances can be seen from public street. 

ng Appropriate site conditions: 

C 

C 

Site where a rear to rear condition is the preferred building condition. 


Large Appropriate site with site multiple conditions: blocks where rear to rear condition is desired along edge of sites as transition. 


B 

Parking is provided underground 

A 


Large site with multiple blocks where rear to rear condition is desired along edge of sites as transition. 

ng 

C 






n from public street. 



. 


d along edge of sites as transition. 

B 

A 

C 

B 

A 

C 

B 

B 

A 

B 

A 

B 

A 

Accessible units are desirable in a stacked townhouse form. Internalize 

stairs to the upper units to reduce impact on streetscape and public realm. 


B 

C 

B 

C 

B 

A 

A 

A 

B 

B 

C 

C 

Avoid building frontage that is dominated by paving, stairs and entrances. 

Consolidate stairs where possible and provide landscaping to screen 

below-grade entrances, enhance front yard, and streetscape. 

B 

B 

A 

A 

A 

A 

65 

Bringing it all together - Example of Types and Development Scenerios | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES

Sites where entrances at the rear of the build 


5.1.3 BACK TO BACK TOWNHOUSE 

Back to back townhouses share side and back walls with neighbouring units. 

and can have two frontages. 


• Shares side and back walls with neighbouring units 

• Units have direct access to grade often on more 

than one side of the building 

• Underground parking 



• All individual unit entrances can be seen from a 

public street 

• No privacy and overlook concerns to adjacent 

property 

• Direct connections to public sidewalk are 

accommodated on multi-block sites by streets or 

pedestrian mews 


• In multiple front buildings, design all primary 

frontages of the building to address private/public 

streets, pedestrian mews, or open spaces 


canopy and stoop, or porch 


durable materials, attention to detail, and lighting 




• Grade related units can have private amenity space 

provided they are designed with appropriate 

relationships to adjacent streets or buildings 

Type 1 - Back to Back, Mulitple Fronts 

Type 2 - Back to Back, Single Front 

Back to Back Townhouse 

Variation 1 

-Unit entrances on both sides of building 


B 

A 

B 

A 

Appropriate site condition 

Small sites with two frontag 

Sites with no privacty conce 

Large site with multiple bloc 

Parking is provided undergr 


2014 / 2015 

66 

Back to Back Townhouse 

Variation 2 

-Unit entrances on front of building only 


Small mid-block sites where all unit entrance

e all unit entrances can be seen from public street. 

d not facing the rear of adjacent building or property. 

ating pedestian mews with direct connection to public street. 

A 

A 

B 

A 

B 

B 

Provide generous building setback to align with prevailing neighbourhood characteristics and 

patterns. 


A 

A 

B 

B 


B 

A 

re all unit entrances can be seen from public street. 

d not facing the rear of adjacent building or property. 

ating pedestian mews with direct connection to public street. 

67



2014 / 2015 

5.1.4 STACKED AND BACK TO BACK TOWNHOUSE 

Stacked and back to back townhouses share a rear wall as well as a side wall and 

have multiple units stacked vertically. This building type is complex and requires 

special attention to site organization, building placement, and unit access. 


• Share side and back walls and have units stacked 

vertically 

• Unit entrances have direct access to grade 

often on more than one side of the building 




• All individual unit entrances can be seen from 

public street 

• No privacy and overlook concerns to adjacent 

property 

• Direct connections to public sidewalk are 

accommodated on multi-block sites by streets or 

pedestrian mews 

• No below-grade or at-grade private outdoor 

amenity spaces are provided along public street 

frontage 


• In multiple front buildings, design all primary 

frontages of the building to address private/public 

streets, pedestrian mews, or open spaces 

• Careful design of pedestrian mews and/or private 

streets are required to provide comfortable, safe, and 

attractive environments for residents 


canopy, stoop, or porch 






D 

A 

C 

B 

Type 1 - Stacked and Back to Back, Multiple Fronts 

E 

D 

D 

A 

A 

C 

B 

C 

B 

E 


C 

Type 2 - Stacked and B Back to Back, Single Front 

A 

Stacked Back to Back Townhouse 

Variation 2 

A 

D 

C 

B 

Unit entrances on both sides of building 



Stacked Back to Back Townhouse 

Variation 2 

Unit entrances on both sides of building 



Appropriate site c 

Small sites with two 

Sites with no privac 

Large site with mult 

Parking is provided 

Appro 

Small s 

Sites w 

Large s 

Parking 

68

nditions: 

B 

C 

C 

B 

C 

B 

B 

D 

A 

D 

A 

A 

B D 

C 

A 

A 

D 

B 

C 

B 

C 

B 

A 

D 

A 

D 

B 

A 

B 

C 

B 

C 

C 

A 

B 

A 

D 

E 

B 

C 

D 

E 

A 

D 

B 

B 

C 

ll unit entrances can be seen from public Astreet. 

rontages where all unit entrances A can be seen from public street. 

D 

priate site conditions: 

E 

ot facing the rear of Dadjacent building E or property. 

concerns and not facing the rear of adjacent building or property. 

ites with two frontages where all unit entrances can be seen from public A street. 

g pedestian mews with direct connection to public street. 

le blocks creating pedestian mews with direct connection to public street. 

D 

E 

onditions: 

ith no privacty concerns and not facing the rear of adjacent building or property. 

nderground 

ite frontages with multiple where blocks all unit creating entrances pedestian can be mews seen from with public direct street. 

ere all unit entrances can be seen from public street. connection to public street. 

ty is concerns provided 

Appropriate and underground not site facing conditions: the rear B of adjacent building C or property. 

nd not facing the rear of adjacent building or property. 

B 

iple blocks Small creating sites with pedestian two frontages mews where with direct all unit connection entrances to can public be seen street. from public street. 

ating pedestian mews with direct connection A to public street. 

underground Sites with no privacty concerns and D not facing the rear of adjacent building or property. 

Large site with multiple blocks creating pedestian mews with direct connection to public street. 


A 

D 

C 

B 

D 

A 

D 

C 

A 

C 

B 

E 

C 

D 

C 

A 

C 

D 

C 

B 

A E 

A 

D 

C 

B 

A 

D 

E 

A 

B 

A 


B 

D 

C 

D 

C 

D 

B 

A 

C 

D 

B 

cus, susae. Um exceate A ommodi tem fugia pa por autectibeari 

C 

Duciisit, erchit, cum voloribus eatibus D elicipsus et ut ut ma qui si as 

C 

E 

C 

B 

Porem fugiam faccum qui debis ex ex eum qui testiorest dolorer 

E 

rovitat A iberoviditas et, autectur? Itaturit, et qui quam estius dolut 

C D 

B 

E 

D 

C 

B 

E 

A 

D 

C 

B 

A 

C 

D 

B 

A 

D 

Dipsapero et et, quat a ventia net hillaborero quia niscium repra 

quaspe ommoditium explabo. Ficia cus aut aut eius ist laceritia etur 


69


5.1.5 LOW-RISE APARTMENT BUILDING 

Low-rise apartment buildings have a single main entrance providing access to 

all units through internal vertical access and corridors. This building type is 

preferred in locations where individual at-grade entrances are not desired. 



• Multiple units stacked vertically and horizontally 

• A single main entrance to building providing access to 

all units internally 

• Unit entrances accessed through internal corridors 

and vertical circulation 

B 




A 

• Site is along major arterial road and/or individual unit 

entrances are not appropriate 

• The neighbourhood context has existing low-rise 

apartment buildings with similar built form 

• The building does not create shadow, privacy, and 

overlook concerns 


• Provide prominence to the entry area by increasing 

Apartment 


Variation 1 

visibility and direct connection to public sidewalk 

Site along major arterial roads where at 


Units stack on top of one another 

entrances are not desired 


Entrance to units are accessed through 


common lobby and hallways 



Units at grade may have access to exterior 

from unit 




relationships to buildingsDRAFT 

adjacent streets or 


2014 / 2015 

70

e 

Considerations: 

A B A 

This building type can have many variations and can be 

adapted to various situations. 

A 

B 

Several low-rise apartment buildings are arranged to frame the a courtyard internal to the site. 

Credit: Quadrangle Architects Limited. 


B 


Apartment buildings can take various forms with different internal arrangements. Central courtyard framed by graderelated 

units and open air corridors create a unique building layout in the example above. Credits: Scott Torrence 

Landscape Architecture. 

71

B 

D 


5.1.6 HYBRID BUILDING 

Upper Floor 

Upper Flo 

The hybrid building type combines lower units with direct at-grade access and upper units that gain 

access from a single main entrance and shared corridor and vertical circulation. This arrangement of 

Ground Floor 

units is acceptable in certain circumstances and provides consolidated access for upper units, while 

D 

allowing landscape areas and grade related accesses to animate the public realm on lower levels. 

A 

Ground F 

When many unit entrances are to be located in ped 

Hybrid 


Variation Type 1 1 - Stacked and Back to Back, Multiple Fronts 

Site along major arterial roads where unit Upper entrance Flo 


Units Astack on C top of one another 

Grade-related unit entrances on both sides of 

• Multiple units stacked vertically and horizontally 

Ground F 

building accessed 

C 

at grade 

Narrow sites where access to unit entrances at gra 

Ground Floor 

• Lower units have direct access to grade 

• Upper units gain access through shared entrance into Upper unit entrances accessed through 

Deep sites where location unit entrances are better 

B 

common lobby at grade with elevator access 

building with vertical circulation and corridor 

Hybrid to upper level hallway 

Appropriate Parking is provided site conditions: 

underground 

Variation 1 

• Underground or rear integrated parking 

B 

Site along major 

Upper 

arterial 

Floor 

roads where unit entrance 

Units stack on top of one another 

When many unit entrances are to be located in ped 

Upper Floor 



building accessed at grade 

Narrow sites where access to unit entrances at gra 


Upper unit entrances accessed through 

Deep sites where location unit entrances are better 

D 


• Site is along major arterial street and/or individual unit to upper level hallway 


entrances are not appropriate 

D 

• A reduction in individual unit access to grade is desired 

Up 

A 

• Site is too restricted to accommodate all unit entrances 

within pedestrian mews or walkways 

Gro Up 

A 

Ground Floor 

Upper Flo 


Gr 

Type 2 - Stacked, Single Front 

Ground Floor 

Hybrid 

Appropriate site conditions: Ground F 

• Hybrid buildings can be designed in different 

B 

Variation 1 

configurations. Consider site and neighbourhood context 

when proposing this building type 

Units Hybrid stack on top of one another 

Variation 1 

• Provide shared lobby entrance along public street with 


good visibility 

building Units stack accessed on top at of grade one another 

• Individual unit entrances to have direct view to public 

Upper Grade-related unit entrances unit entrances accessed on through both sides of 

street 

common building accessed lobby at grade at grade with elevator access 

to upper level hallway 


B 

Upper unit entrances accessed through 

buildingsDRAFT 

relationships to adjacent streets or 

• 


Provide distingishing features in multiple block 


to upper level hallway 





Site along major arterial roads where unit en 


When many Upper unit Floor entrances are to be located 

Site along major arterial roads where unit en 

Narrow sites where access to unit entrances 

When many unit entrances are to be Upper located Flo 

Deep sites where Figure: location unit entrances are 

Narrow sites where access to unit entrances 

Parking is provided underground Ground F 

Deep sites where location unit entrances are 


Upper Floor 


2014 / 2015 

72 

A 

B 

Ground Floor 

Up 

Gro Up 

B 

Gr

per Floor 

Upper Floor 

Ground Floor 

r Floor 

unit entrances are not desired 

ocated in pedestrian mews 

rances 

ound Floor 

at grade is challenging 

ces are better located closer to public street 

Upper Floor 

te site conditions: 

B 

C 

C 

B 

D 

A 

D 

A 


Upper Floor 

This building type allows some unit entrances to be centralized 

within the building accessed throught a common lobby and hallway. 

This results in improved A building design, D streetscape, safety, and 

Ground Flooraccessibility. 

Consider the following when designing this building type: 

- access to at grade units 

- etc...... 

A 

major arterial roads where unit entrances are not desired 


Ground Floor 


nd y unit Floor entrances are to be located in pedestrian mews 

This results in improved building design, streetscape, safety, and 

C 

C accessibility. 

B 

es where access to unit entrances at grade is challenging 

D 

site conditions: 


the following when designing this building type: 

D 

where location unit entrances are better located closer to public 

A 

street 

jor arterial roads where unit entrances are not desired 

This - access building to type at grade allows units 

C 

some unit entrances to be centralized 

provided underground 

C 

within - etc...... the building accessed throught a common lobby and hallway. 

B 

C 

B 

nit entrances are to be located in pedestrian mews 

This results in improved building design, streetscape, C safety, and 

D 

Upper Floor 

B 

accessibility. 

D 

A 

D 

nsiderations: 

where access to unit entrances at grade Bis challenging 

C 

The hybrid building type can be employed when a reduction in individual unit 

A 

D 

A 

C 

Ground Upper Floor 

Consider the following when designing access this building to grade type: is desired. 

Floor 

B 

B 

s ere building location type unit allows entrances some are unit better entrances located to be closer centralized to public street 

D 

Upper Floor 

B 

in the building accessed throught a common - access to at grade units 

A lobby and Dhallway. 

A 

s vided results underground 

in Ground improved Floor building design, streetscape, safety, and 

- etc...... 

A 

A 

essibility. Considerations: 

Ground Floor 


sider This building the following type allows when designing some unit this entrances building to type: be centralized 

where within unit the entrances building accessed are not desired throught a common lobby This building and hallway. type allows some unit entrances to be centralized 

within Considerations: 

the building accessed throught a common lobby and hallway. 

cess This to results at grade in improved units building design, streetscape, safety, and 

to be located in pedestrian mews 

This results in improved building design, streetscape, safety, and 

c...... accessibility. 

where unit entrances are not desired 

accessibility. 


nit entrances at grade is challenging 


to Consider be located the in following pedestrian when mews designing this building 

Consider This type: results the in following improved when building designing design, this streetscape, building type: safety, and 

B 

entrances are better located closer to public street accessibility. 

unit - access entrances to at at grade units is challenging Upper Floor 

- access to at grade units 

d- etc...... 

- Consider etc...... the following when designing this building type: 

entrances are better located closer to public street 

A 

Ground Floor - access to at grade units 

nd 

- etc...... 

B 

A 

B 

C 

C 


D 

B 

C 

B 

D 

A 

C 


A 

D 

B 


B 

Upper Floor 

Upper Floor 

B 

Ground Floor 

A 

A 

Internalizing parking garage into the building with private amenity space above 

Upper Floor 

B 

is acceptable only if negative impacts such as shadow, privacy and overlook on 

adjacent properties can be limited and resolved. 

A 

B 

Upper Floor 

B 

B 

Ground Upper Floor Floor 

A 

B 

A 

A 

B 

73 

Ground Floor 

A 

A



2014 / 2015 

74 

5.2 DEVELOPMENT SCENARIOS 

Section 5.2 Development Scenarios, provides hypothetical examples of how site plans and site elements can come together 

successfully at different scales and with different site conditions. 

5.2.1 SHALLOW MID-BLOCK PARCEL 

On shallow sites, orient buildings and entrances parallel to public streets where 

maintaining the rear of the site for private and/or shared amenity space. 

a. Provide a primary building face with unit entrances or a 

single shared entrance facing and parallel to a street. Do 

B 

D 

Public Street 

Public Street 

A 

d. Provide shared outdoor amenity/open space in areas with 

sunlight and access to indoor amenity space when provided. 

not provide unit entrance(s) at the rear of the building where 

Small, shallow mid-block parcel 

e. Enhance landscape areas along edge of the site by planting 

they do not have street frontage or where they face the rear 

shrubs and shade producing trees. 

A - Provide or building sides face of adjacent and unit entrance properties. facing street or a single entrance to a lobby with unit access through 

internal hallway. Do not provide unit entrance at the rear of the building where entrances f. do Integrate not have driveways, public vehicular access ramps, garbage 

street 

b. 

frontage 

Provide 

and 

walkway(s) 

facing the rear 

to connect 

or sides of 

the 

adjacent 

rear of 

properties. 

the site to 

storage, loading, and servicing areas internally within the 

B - Provide the walkway public to sidewalk. connect the rear Areas of the along site the to the property public sidewalk. lines are Landscape areas along the property 

building. 

lines are landscaped to be provided to to provide buffer development a green buffer from adjacent to adjacent properties. properties When adjacent properties are 

expected and to enhance develop, coordinate the environment developments for to people work together inhabiting to provide and connections. g. Setback/stepback building to align with neighbouring 

C - Provide overlooking shared outdoor these amenities spaces. spaces in areas with sunlight and access to indoor amenity buildings. space when 

provided. 

D - Provide 

c. When 

enhanced 

adjacent 

landscape 

properties 

areas along 

are 

edge 

expected 

of the site. 

to redevelop, 

E - Integrate coordinate and consolidate developments garbage storage, to work loading, together and servicing to provide areas internally within the building massing. 

F - Integrate connections. 

driveways and vehicular access into the massing of the building and setback/stepback building to 

align with existing building. 

E 

F 

G 

C 

Existing Building 

On Site 

Townhouse or 

Low-Rise 

Primary Building 

Face 

Pedestrian 

Connection 

Enhanced 


Shared Amenity 

Space 

Location of Private 

Amenity Area 

Tree Protection 

Area 

Individual Unit 

Entrance 

Shared Lobby 

Entrance 

DRAFT

Well landscaped walkways 

provide access to public 

sidewalks and help connect to 

adjacent developments 

RATIONALE 

Many of Toronto's streets are lined with narrow lots, but 

over time consolidation of lots have created larger sites with 

wider public street frontages. To successfully develop these 

sites with low-rise buildings, consideration must be given 

to the impact of site organization and built form on adjacent 

properties. 

There can be challenges to redeveloping these sites especially 

with the stacked and back to back townhouse type. Dependent 

on the character of the neighbourhood, this building type 

can work well to frame the edges of streets and reinforce the 

street wall. It is important to recognize the character of the 

neighbourhood to determine the appropriate relationship the 

building should have with its neighbour. 

At grade private 

amenity space for 

rear facing units 

Locate outdoor amenity 

space in areas with 

good sunlight 

New development is setback 

a minimum of 7.5m from 

rear of adjacent properties 

and much adhere to the 

appropriate angular plane 

It is possible for a building to employ an internal organization 

where single or multiple entrances are located fronting a public 

street, which retains the rear of the site as shared or private 

outdoor amenity space and landscaped area. 



Individual unit entrances facing the rear yards of abutting 

properties should be avoided due to the lack of visual 

connections to a public street, safety and way-finding concerns 

for residents and visitors. Locating entrances at the rear also 

creates atypical building relationships which are not desirable 

or consistent with Toronto's urban structure. 

New apartment building development respects neighbourhood context by providing front 

yard setback consistent with adjacent buildings. Credit: Audax Architecture. Photo by: 

Joy von Tiedemann. 

75


A - 

B - 

C - 

D - 

E - 

F - 

5.2.2 DEEP MID-BLOCK PARCEL 

Use appropriate building type on deep mid-block sites to reduce travel distance to 

unit entrance from public streets. Consider apartment or hybrid building type to 

limit negative pedestrian experience to entrance along the sides of buildings. 

F 

street frontage – eg. Residential uses in residential areas 

Small, deep mid-block parcel 

and retail in Avenue or mixed use areas where appropriate. 

B 

A 

G 

F 

C 

Public Street 


On Site 

Townhouse or 

Low-Rise 


Face 

Pedestrian 

Connection 

Enhanced 



Space 


Area 

D 

E 


Area 


Entrance 

Shared Lobby 

Entrance 

Public Street 

a. Orient building frontage parallel to street and align with 

e. Provide private and shared outdoor amenity spaces where 

neighbouring buildings. Provide grade-related uses along 

appropriate. 

f. Provide landscaped and well-lit pedestrian walkway to 

individual unit entrances with visual connection to public 

Provide building frontage parallel to street with grade-related DRAFTAmenity 

uses along street. 

b. For deep mid-block sites, provide building entrance to a 

street. 

For small, deep mid-block sites, provide building entrance to a shared lobby and hallway access to units. 

shared lobby with internal corridor and vertical circulation 

Avoid locating unit entrances where residents and visitors will have to travel deep into the rear of the site for 

access 

access. 

to units. Avoid locating unit entrances which cannot 

be Integrate seen from vehicular a public access sidewalk. 

into the building massing and internalize underground entrances and service/load 

ing areas within building massing. 

c. Integrate vehicular access ramps, garbage storage, service 

Provide enhanced landscape areas along the edge of the site by planting shade-producing trees and 

and loading areas into the building massing. Provide 

shurbs/bushes.. 

vehicular access through private driveway under building 

Provide private outdoor amenity spaces where appropriate. 

when 

Provide 

required. 

vehicular access throught private driveway. 


2014 / 2015 

d. Provide enhanced landscaped areas and screening along 

the edge of the site by planting shade-producing trees and 

shurbs. 

76

Integrate ramps, garbage 

storage and service areas 

into the building 

RATIONALE 

Deep sites with narrow public street frontage present significant 

site organization challenges in redevelopment. These sites 

typically have difficulty providing individual unit access to 

grade, vehicular access, loading and servicing areas, and 

adequate landscaped setback areas. 

When units are facing toward the side of the property, generous 

landscaped setbacks are required to allow sky view and 

light into the units, provide a pleasant aspect for residents, 

and screening from adjacent properties. When a pedestrian 

walkway is providing access to individual unit entrances along 

the sides of a building, the walkway must be well-lit with high 

quality landscape design to create a comfortable pedestrian 

environment. When the site is very deep and the travel distance 

required to access a unit entrance from a public street is greater 

than 6-8 units, consider the apartment building type which 

provides access to individual units via an entrance lobby at 

the public street with shared internal corridors and vertical 

circulation. 

Orient building parallel to 

street and align with 

adjacent buildings 

Limit the number of 

individual access to grade 

to improve public realm 

be designed to have the characteristics of a public street. 

Landscaped setbacks are especially challenging in narrow and 

deep sites. It is important to provide landscaped areas with 

adequate soil volume to sustain large growth trees to screen 

adjacent properties. 

Upper units accessed via entrance 

lobby with shared corridors and 

vertical circulation improve 

accessibility and public realm 

Enhance pedestrian 

walkway to entrances by 

providing high quality 

landscape design and 

planting materials 



Vehicular access, loading and servicing areas for deep sites are 

to be integrated into the building and the width of the access 

is to be kept to a minimum to reduce impact to public realm. 

When a private street or vehicular mews is proposed, they must 

Pedestrian walkway and shared amenity space work together to provide access 

to grade-related units and gathering space for residents. Credits: David Peterson 

Architect Inc., Triumph Developments. Photo by: Ben Rahn/A-Frame. 

77



2014 / 2015 

78 

5.2.3 PARCEL ADJACENT OR WITH HERITAGE RESOURCE 

Conserve and maintain prominence of heritage properties and Heritage 

Conservation Districts (HCDs) by respecting and responding to heritage features 

in new development. 

Public Street 

a. Respect heritage building and landscapes by setting new 

B 

C 

D 

A 

E 

I 

F 

Public Street 

Public Lane 


On Site 

Townhouse or 

Low-Rise 


Face 

Pedestrian 

Connection 

Enhanced 



Space 


Amenity Area 


Area 


Entrance 

Shared Lobby 

Entrance 

f. Provide landscaped and well-lit pedestrian connection 

buildings back to provide prominence to heritage site. 

through site. 

Small parcel with heritage resource 

b. Integrate underground garage ramp, service and loading g. Use rear lane access for parking where possible. 

A - Integrate underground garage ramp, service/loading areas into building massing. 

areas into building massing. 

B - Provide primary unit entrances facing public streets. For back-to-back, h. and Setback stacked townhouses, and transition avoid building in height to align with 

c. Provide locating individual primary unit entrance entrances at the facing back of public the building. streets. For 

adjacent buildings and context. 

C - stacked Place and/or new back building to parallel back townhouses, public street avoid to frame locating streets and unit public spaces. 

D - 

i. Enhance landscape area along the edges of site to screen 

entrances 

Respect 

at the 

heritage 

back 

building....... 

of the building. 

E - Locate shared amenity spaces central to the development and provide indoor new amenity development spaces adjacent from existing to properties. 

d. Place new outdoor buildings spaces. parallel to public streets to frame 

F - streets Provide and public pedestrian spaces. connection through site. 

G - Lane access, rear parking where possible. 

e. H - Provide Setback and locate and transition shared building outdoor to align amenity with adjacent spaces buildings central to and context. 

I - the development Provide front in yard areas setback with to sunlight align with and adjacent access building. to indoor 

J - amenity Enhance space landscape when provided. area along the edges of site to screen new development from existing properties. 

G 


H

RATIONALE 

New developments have to be carefully designed to protect 

and conserve the character of a heritage asset. Where 

redevelopment occurs on or near a site with heritage assets, 

various strategies can be employed to respect and complement 

the scale, character, form and setting of the heritage resource. 

In locations where redevelopment is considered appropriate, 

heritage properties should be referenced to inform the scale 

and contextual treatment of the new development. "Breathing 

space" or setbacks between the new development and the 

heritage property help maintain the prominence of the heritage 

building and allow for preservation of heritage features such as 

windows and cornices which would otherwise be hidden. An 

on-site heritage building or structure should be conserved in its 

three-dimensional form. Protect and frame views to heritage 

features such as steeples, roof lines, and other identifying 

heritage features to help preserve the heritage value of these 

properties. 

Transition to Fit In with 

Adjacent Built Forms 

and Frame Street 

Provide Front Yard 

Setback to Align with 

Adjacent Built Form 

Respect and Enhance 

Architectural Features 

and Rhythms of 

Heritage Building 

Incorporate Heritage 

Landscape Design as 

part of Conservation 

Strategy 

Preserve Prominent 

Views of Heritage 

Building with Strategic 

Building Setback and 

Stepbacks 


Design of the new development is informed by the character of the adjacent Victorian 

townhouses. Extra care must be taken to maintain and enhance the neighbourhood 

characteristics such as front yard landscape and entrance design. 


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2014 / 2015 

80 

5.2.4 PARCEL WITH MULTIPLE BUILDING BLOCKS 

Consider building location to avoid creating undesirable site conditions on 

multiple building block sites. Arrange buildings to allow direct views from public 

streets to pedestrian mews, unit entrances, and amenity spaces. 

Public Street 

a. Provide building face and unit entrances facing streets. 

b. Place new building parallel to public streets and align with 

setbacks of adjacent buildings. 

Parcel with multiple building blocks 

A 

B 

C 

D 

K 

F 

Public Street 

Public Street 

g. Integrate and consolidate garbage storage, loading, and 

servicing areas internally within the building. 


On Site 

Townhouse or 

Low-Rise 


Face 

Pedestrian 

Connection 

Enhanced 



Space 


Amenity Area 


Area 


Entrance 

Shared Lobby 

Entrance 

h. For building blocks with a building facing a side yard, locate 

unit entrances on one side of the building with greatest visibility 

c. Provide streets to access deeper sites . If the street is private, 

A - Provide building face and unit entrance facing street 

and accessibility to pedestrian mews and/or street. 

B - 

design 

Place 

street 

new 

to 

building 

have characteristics 

parallel to public 

of 

street 

public 

and 

streets 

provide 

with 

entrances with views to public streets. 

C - pedestrian Provide sidewalks, private driveway street to trees, access and deep pedestrian sites and amenities. 

design to have character i. Private of public outdoor streets with amenity pedestrian spaces can be provided for new 

sidewalks, trees, and pedestrian amenities. 

developments adjacent to side yard of the adjacent property, 

d. Provide well-designed pedestrian mews by incorporating 

D - Provide well designed pedestrian mews by incorporating landscape areas, lighting provided , and that entrance appropriate designs. building setback and landscape 

landscape areas, lighting, and articulated entrances within the 

E - Provide landscape area to buffer new development from adjacent sensitive land screening uses such can as be designated achieved. 

development site. 

Neighbourhoods, school, or parks and open spaces. 

F - Locate indoor amenity spaces to connect with the outdoor amenity space 

j. 

. 

Enhance landscape areas along edge of the site by planting 

e. Provide landscape area to screen new development 

shrubs and shade-producing trees. 

from adjacent sensitive land uses such as designated 

G - Locate shared amenity spaces in areas with sunlight and central to the development block for better place 

Neighbourhoods, schools, and/or parks and open spaces. 

k. Protect and avoid damage to existing trees on or adjacent to 

making opportunities. 

development site. 

f. H - Provide Private and locate driveways shared should outdoor be designed amenity to look spaces like public central streets to with sidewalks, generous landscaping areas 

the development 

and street trees. 

in areas with sunlight and access to indoor 

I - Integrate and consolidate garbage storage, loading, and servicing areas internally within the building massing. 

amenity space when provided. 

J - For building blocks with building facing side yard, locate unit entrances on one side of the building with 

greatest vibility and accessiblity to pedestrian mews. 

K- Rear yards can be provided for new development block facing the side yard of the adjacent property, provided 

that an appropriate building setback can be achieved. 

L- Provide enhanced landscape areas along the edge of the site. 

G 

H 

E 

I 

J 

DRAFT

Provide well-designed 

pedestrian mews with 

generous facing distance 

for access to units 

RATIONALE 

Locate shared outdoor 

amenity spaces in areas 

with good sunlight and 

central to the development 

Small communities are created when multiple building blocks 

are developed on a site. These developments are large enough 

to form a distinctive character of their own, but too small to 

become their own neighbourhoods. Parcels with multiple 

building blocks should look at the site's configuration and 

neighbourhood character to identify the appropriate site 

organization, building type and public realm design to strike a 

balance between fitting-in and creating a sense of place. 

Buildings can be placed parallel to the public street on shallow 

multi-block sites when no buildings are behind another. On 

deep multi-block sites, buildings are better arranged when 

perpendicular to public streets where unit entrances have direct 

view to public streets. The pedestrian mews on deep sites 

serve as the main access for units and must be designed with a 

high quality pedestrian experience in mind. When the visibility 

Locate unit entrances to 

have greatest visibility and 

accessibility to pedestrian 

mews and/or street 

Design private streets 

to have characteristics 

of public streets 

Integrate and 

consolidate garbage 

storage, loading, and 

servicing areas internally 

Enhance landscape areas 

along edge of the site by 

planting shrubs and 

shade producing trees 

of entrances from public streets is compromised, apartment or 


hybrid building type may be more appropriate for the site. 

Building types may vary throughout the development dependent 

on the location of the particular building block. For example, 

blocks directly adjacent to another property may be better 

suited with a built form where the rear of the building faces 

the side. This relationship is more appropriate than having the 

front of a building facing the side of another. Internal to the 

development site, buildings should have front to front facing 

relationships with adequate facing distance between blocks. 

Below-grade terraces should be limited to allow room for 

landscaping and soil volume for large trees. 


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82 

5.2.5 LARGE PARCEL WITH TOWER AND NEIGHBOURHOOD EDGE 

"Tower in the Park " sites which are able to accommodate low-rise building development 

can re-establish neighbourhood scale along street edge, improve existing site/building 

conditions, and incorporate enhanced on site amenities for the residents and public. 

Public Street 

B 

C 

D 

F 

Public Street 

K 

G 

D 

K 

A 

H 


Area 

J 


Area 

E 


N 

Entrance 

M 

Shared Lobby 

Entrance 

Public Street 

a. Improve existing tower site and building frontage by enhancing h. Improve garbage storage, loading, and servicing areas of the 

landscape design and public realm. Existing pedestrian walkways, 

existing building by providing internal and integrate garbage 

driveways, Large parcel surfacing with parking tower and and other neighbourhood landscape features should edge 

and loading areas. These areas can be consolidated and shared 

be considered as part of redevelopment of site. 

between the new and existing buildings when possible. 

A - Provide building face and unit entrance facing street 

b. B - Place new Place buildings new building parallel parallel to public to public streets street and and locate provide entrances entrances with i. views Create to public new streets. and improved private outdoor areas for existing ground 

with views to public streets. 

floor apartments at grade. 

C - Provide shared outdoor amenity spaces for new development and locate indoor amenity spaces to connect 

DRAFTAmenity 

c. Provide with shared the outdoor space amenity where space appropriate. in a visible and accessible j. Protect and avoid damage to existing trees on or adjacent to 

D - area and Improve locate existing indoor amenity pedestrian spaces walkways to connect and provide with new the outdoor connections to enhance development connectivity site. of Preserve the site to existing mature plantings and trees 

space. surrounding neighbourhood. 

and improve planting conditions where appropriate. 

E - New development along Neighbourhood edge are to be designed to compliment and respect the prevailing 

d. Improve existing pedestrian walkways and provide new 

k. Remove under-used surface parking and driveways. Surface 

connections built form, to enhance scale, and connectivity character of of the the neighbourhood. 

site to surrounding 

parking located along public street frontage is to be removed and 

F - neighbourhoods Integrate underground and amenities. garage Ensure ramps walkways into the new are building accessible, where possible replaced or integrate with other well uses designed such as landscape areas. 

well-lit, indoor and well-landscaped. 

amenity spaces to create new community focus. 

l. Provide shade producing trees and shrubs to screen surface 

G - Improve amenity spaces and facilities for existing residents. 

e. New development along Neighbourhood edge are to be designed 

parking area from view. 

H - 

to compliment 

Improve 

and 

garbage 

respect 

storage, 

the prevailing 

loading, and 

built 

servicing 

form, scale, 

areas of 

and 

the existing building by providing internal and 

character integrate of the neighbourhood. 

garbage and loading areas. Service areas can be of the existing m. Setback building and the transition new development built form to align with adjacent building 

can be consolidated when appropriate. 

setbacks and heights. 

f. Integrate underground garage ramps into the new building where 

I - Improve existing landscaped areas including pedestrian walkways, driveways, 

possible or integrate other uses such as indoor amenity spaces to n. Consider 

surfacing 

the 

parking 

location 

and 

of any 

other 

new buildings to allow good access to 

landscape features. 

create new community focus. 

sunlight and sky view for existing and new residents. 

J - Protect and accommodate existing trees on site by placing new buildings and construction away from 

g. Improve protection amenity zone. spaces and facilities for existing residents. 

K- Remove as much surface parking and driveways as possible. Surface parking located at the front of the 

building facing a public street are to be removed and replaced with landscape areas. 

L- Provide shade producing trees and shrubs to screen surface parking area from view. 

K 

I 

L 

J 

D 

J 

J 


On Site 

Townhouse or 

Low-Rise 


Face 

Pedestrian 

Connection 

Enhanced 



Space

RATIONALE 

The "Tower in the Park" design principle was widely used in 

many parts of Toronto. The design principle placed towers 

away from the public streets and set buildings centrally within 

the site, promising large open green spaces for its residents. 

However, these types of developments were often "Towers 

in the Parking Lots" instead and disrupted the pedestrianoriented 

scale and character of many traditional Toronto 

neighbourhoods. 

Provide generous setback 

between existing tower 

and new low-rise building 

Provide shared outdoor 

amenity space in visible 

and accessible area 

Some tower sites can accommodate low-rise building 

developments to spur improvements to existing site conditions 

and re-establish connections to its neighbourhood context. In 

this example, new buildings are oriented parallel to the street 

with front yard setbacks consistent with adjacent properties to 

redefine the street edge. Primary unit entrances are located to 

be highly visible from the public street to ensure the safety and 

security of the residents and community. 

New buildings should also begin to frame outdoor amenity 

spaces within site and create urban 'rooms' to contain various 

activities. Introduce programmed amenity spaces to encourage 

a variety of different uses and users. Physical and visual 

connections through site to public streets are important and 

integral to creating a safe and attractive place for people. 

Improve existing condition 

of tower and site as part 

of redevelopment 

Reduce surface 

parking and improve 

onsite vehicular and 

pedestrian circulation 

Setback and transition 

built form to align with 

adjacent building in 

setback and height 

Through the development process, issues regarding vehicular 

access, loading, servicing, garbage storage and collection 

activities must be resolved to eliminate existing negative site 

conditions. Replace vehicular accesses and surface parking 

areas with new landscaped green space to offset the impacts 

from development of the site. Existing landscaping and 

amenities should be enhanced to improve the quality of the 

remaining open space. Loading, servicing, garbage storage 

and collection areas are to be integrated and internalized into 

the existing or new building. Ramps to underground garages 

should be integrated within the new building massing. In some 

situations, integrating other functions such as amenity spaces 

to an underground ramp can be accepted. 


It is imperative to address the negative conditions of "Tower in 

the Park" buildings when considering redevelopment with lowrise 

buildings. As the tower(s) is often in 'slab' form and can 

cast a considerable shadow on its site, it is important to avoid 

locating new development in the shadow of the tower. 


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84 

5.2.6 LARGE DEVELOPMENT WITH MULTIPLE DEVELOPMENT BLOCKS 

Large sites with multiple blocks require a master plan to locate new streets, 

buildings, and parks/open spaces in order to integrate the new community into 

the surrounding neighbourhood. 

M 

B 

M 

C 

A 

D 

E 

A. Provide a new public street to provide address and access to 

development and improve visibility and access to the existing park. 

Align with existing public streets where possible. 

B. Provide building face and unit entrances facing the street and 

provide appropriate building setbacks by looking at existing and 

future planned context. 

C. Protect and accommodate existing trees on site by placing new 

buildings and construction away from protection zone. 

D. Consolidate underground garage access, service and loading 

areas on site and minimize impact by providing landscaping and 

screening. 

E. Internalize ramps, loading spaces, and garbage storage within the 

building. 

F. Design and integrate new development into the existing 

neighbourhood by providing appropriate building setbacks, 

stepbacks, and built form. Provide a mix of building types on large 

developments with multiple blocks. 

G. Provide parking access from public lanes or shared driveways 

where possible. 

G 

F 

Public Street 

H 

New Public Street 

I 

J 

K 

C 


On Site 

Townhouse or 

Low-Rise 


Face 

Pedestrian 

Connection 

Enhanced 



Space 


Amenity Area 


Area 


Entrance 

Shared Lobby 

Entrance 

H. Create place making opportunities by providing well-designed 

accessible amenities in a central and visible location. 


L 

I. Provide well designed pedestrian mews by incorporating landscape 

areas, lighting, and entrance designs. 

J. Provide enhanced landscape areas along the edge of site to 

screen new development from adjacent properties. Properties 

where change of land use designation occurs (ie. transportation 

corridors, ravines, employment uses), require additional attention 

to landscape in order to provide appropriate landscape buffer. 

K. Orient buildings to frame edges of parks and open spaces to 

provide visibility and animation. Avoid orienting buildings with the 

rear facing park. 

L. Locate POPS and shared amenity spaces in areas with good access 

to sunlight and coordinate design with adjacent parks and open 

spaces to expand usability. 

M. Protect for future public street and pedestrian connections to 

adjacent sites.

Provide unit entrance 

facing park to animate 

the park edge 

RATIONALE 

Public streets, parks, open spaces, and built form all work 

together to define a new public realm for large sites with 

multiple development blocks. The success of these new 

communities depends in part on how well it accomplishes the 

interface with its context. The organization of the building 

blocks on large sites is critical in creating a transition 

between existing and new communities. It is vital that new 

developments respect the positive characteristics of its context 

and further enhance these attributes to create a cohesive 

neighbourhood. 

Public streets are one of the fundamental building blocks to city 

building. On large sites, new public streets are often required to 

provide access to the new community. By aligning new streets 

to existing ones, they help stitch together the communities. 

Public streets and pedestrian connections beyond the site 

should also be identified, considered, and opportunities for 

future extensions should be protected. 

Design POPS or shared 

amenity spaces to enhance 

with adjacent park and 

open space 

Design building to 

address the corner at 

corner sites 

Orient buildings to 

frame edges of parks 

and open spaces 

centrally within easy access to the community with prominent 

public street frontage, access to sky view and sunlight. 

Opportunities to expand public parks are encouraged. POPS 

should work together with existing open spaces to increase the 

possible activities and uses for the park. 

Configure new public street to 

improve visibility to existing 

parks and open spaces 



Public parks and open spaces are central to each new 

neighbourhood and can be used as an organizational element 

for large sites. They are civic spaces and place-makers which 

bring a community together. Public parks should be located 

Large blocks of townhouses can integrate well into established neighbourhoods by 

enhancing pedestrian connections and positive chracteristics of its context. 

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6.0 Case Studies 


APPENDICES | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES 

87


Trinity Towns 

250 Manning Avenue – South District 

Elevation 

Developer: Urban Capital / 3s 

Architect: Richard Wengles 

Builder: Shram Homes 

Project Statistics 

General Description: 45 Freehold Townhouses with Common Element 

Type: Townhouse 

Building Height: 12m 

Site Area: 4,082 sq. m 

Total GFA: 7781.96 

Site Coverage: 1.91 FSI 

No. of units: 45 

Separation distances between blocks: 8.5m 

Setbacks: 3 rd Storey Stepback 

No. of parking spaces and location: 45 underground 


Common Amenity Area: None 

Vertical Circulation: Stair 

Surrounding Land Use: Residential 

Process and Status: Completed 


2014 / 2015 

Context Plan 

Townhouse Block Plan 

88

DESCRIPTION 

Introduction 

• Project consists of 45 3-storey townhouses on formerly 

vacant Catholic Elementary School lands. All townhouses 

front onto a public street 

Site Context 

• The property is in, and is surrounded on all sides by a 

Neighbourhoods designation 

Site Organization 

• Site is organized in a linear pattern with fenced rear-yard 

amenity space 

• Lot frontages range from 4-5.8m are consistent with 

properties to the north 

• 45 parking spaces provided below grade, visitor parking onstreet 

and in a new 43-space Toronto Parking Authority 

directly south of site 

• Garbage is picked up at curb by the City, each unit has a 

specific screened location at front for storage of bins 

Building Massing and Design 

• Project design is in-line with existing physical character and 

streetscape of the neighbourhood 

• The 3 rd storey of the townhouse is set back further from the 

front building line to reduce the perceived height of the 

building at the sidewalk level 

• Front elevation building mass is broken up through building 

material articulation and glass and metal stair hand railings 

Front Elevation at Night 


Landscaped Side Access 


• Setbacks along public streets are planted with shade trees, 

shrubs, grasses and perennials to enhance the architecture of 

the townhouses 

Side Elevation 

89


Wallace Walk 

362 Wallace Avenue – South District 

Perspective 

Developer: Sommerset Wallace Development 

Architect: Kregg Fordyce Architect 

Landscape Architect: Harrington McAvan 


General Description: Infill on Brownfield Site 

Type: Stacked and Back to Back 

Building Height: 13 m 

Site Area: 12 634 sq. m 

Total GFA: 18, 150 sq. m 

Site Coverage: 1.54 FSI 

No. of units: 167 residential; 20 non-residential 

Separation distances between blocks:12 m 

Setbacks: 

No. of parking spaces and location: 179 + 22 Visitor Underground + 

19 on-street 


Common Amenity Area: 475 sq. m Community Facility 

Vertical Circulation: Stairs 

Surrounding Land Use: Residential & Rail Corridor 

Process and Status: Under Construction 


2014 / 2015 

Context Map 

Section 

90

DESCRIPTION 

Introduction 

• Project consists of 167 stacked and back to back 

townhouses, 20 non-residential condominium units, a new 

public street, an extension of Macaulay Avenue to the new 

street and a new community facility at 362 Wallace Avenue 

Site Context 

• The site is bounded by Employment Areas to the north, as 

well as Neighbourhoods to the north, east and south, and the 

West Toronto Railpath to the west of the site 


•Sousa Mendes Street, a new street, runs north/south from the 

southern end of Edwin Avenue to Wallace Avenue 

• Macaulay Avenue extends westward to meet Sousa Mendes 

Street. On the west side of Sousa Mendes Street are 20, 2- 

storey non-residential condominium units with 40 underground 

parking spaces containing offices, small scale retail, workshops 

and studios 

• On the east side of Sousa Mendes Street are 167 stacked and 

back to back townhouse units, 13m in height arranged in 

blocks of 13-21 units, with 3 blocks located north of the 

MaCaulay Avenue extension and 6 blocks located south 

• 179 resident parking, 22 visitor parking spaces underground 

and 19 on-street parking spaces. 

• A 475 square metre community facility on the northwest 

corner of the site, which will be operated by a non-profit 

agency on behalf of the City 

Site Plan 


Perspective 



• Private amenity space provided in the form of balconies and 

roof terraces 

• A variety of trees, shrubs and perennials provided between 

units at entrances, along streetscape and between blocks 

•Design varies per Townhouse block, is contemporary with a 

mix of brick, aluminum panelling and window glazing 

Elevation 

91


Dwell City Towns 

2 Holiday Drive – Etobicoke York District 

Townhouse block elevation 

Townhouse Block Elevation 

Developer: Menkes Developments Ltd. 

Architect: Turner Fleisher 

Landscape Architect: NAK Design Group 


General Description: The proposed development will be constructed 

in a variety of forms including stacked townhouses and back to back 

units arranged in 13 blocks with a central common amenity area. 

Type: Stacked Townhouses and Back-to-Back Townhouses 

Building Height: 13m 

Site Area: 21,824.71 sq.m 

Total GFA: 25,355 sq.m 

Lot Coverage: 35%, 1.2 FSI 


Separation distances between blocks, 

between end units: 12m-15m 

Setbacks: 2m-14m 

No. of parking spaces and location: 278; 269 below grade and 9 

above grade 


Common Amenity Area: yes 

Vertical Circulation: 

Surrounding Land Use: Located in a Mixed Use Area surrounded by 

Neighbourhoods 

Process and Status: Rezoning and Site Plan Approval 

(both complete) 


2014 / 2015 

Built Form Separation 

Front Elevation 

92

DESCRIPTION 

Introduction 

• In 2008 the previous owner rezoned the property to permit 

the development of 4 residential apartment buildings. 

• The buildings ranged in height from 19 to 24 storeys with a 

total of 887 units & a maximum Gross Floor Area of 

80,841m2, resulting in an FSI of 3.7 

• In 2012 Menkes Developments Ltd. Initiated a zoning by-law 

amendment to permit 196 townhouse units 

Site Context 

• The site has a mixed use designation and it is bounded by 

Apartment Neighbourhoods to the north, south and west. 

Hwy. 427 is directly east of the site 

• South of Holiday Drive, opposite this development, is 

another townhouse development with a private driveway 

providing site access and circulation. 


• The site has13 stacked and back-to-back townhouse blocks 

located over an underground parking garage 

•Blocks are organized around an internal private driveway. It 

provides access to the underground parking, services for 

waste pick-up, and doubles as a fire route. A single point of 

access is provided off Holiday Drive 

• The blocks are generally organized around the private 

driveway, landscaped walkways, and a centrally located 

landscaped open space 


Site Plan 



• The unit mix is varied and ranges in height from 

4 storeys to 3 storeys in height 

•Terraces are located predominantly on the roof top or the 

top level. Grade related terraces are located away from the 

driveway, adjacent to internal walkways. 

• The design is contemporary with the use of brick and vision 

glass with secondary materials of spandrel and aluminum 

Architectural Rendering 

93


Southshore 

120 Twenty Fourth Street – Etobicoke York District 

Streetview Looking East 

Developer: Diamondcorp with Minto 

Communities 

Architect: Guthrie Muscovitch Architects and 

Giannone Petricone Associates 

Landscape Architect: NAK Design Strategies 


General Description: 7 north-south oriented blocks 

Type: Stacked and back-to-back Townhouses 

Building Height: 13.5m 

Site Area: 12,820 sq.m 

Total GFA: 15,810.23 sq.m 

Site Coverage: 1.23 


Separation distances between blocks: varies from 13.3m-14.2m 

Setbacks: 


No. of parking spaces and location: 185 spaces underground 

Common Amenity Area: None 

Vertical Circulation: Stair 

Surrounding Land Use: Neighbourhoods and Parks with Local Rail 

Lines and Employment to the immediate north 

Process and Status: Completed 

Interior Pathway 


2014 / 2015 

94

DESCRIPTION 

Introduction 

• 148 stacked and back to back townhouses in 7 blocks with 

a mix of 2 and 3 bedroom units 

• Residential infill redevelopment of a former industrial site 

(Sico Paints) on a 1.3 hectare irregularly shaped lot, with 44 

units facing 3 public streets, remaining units front onto 

internal walkways 

Site Context 

• The property abuts a rail corridor to the north, a park to the 

west and residential to the south and east. 

• 18 existing mature trees on the site were preserved 


• A 25m landscaped setback along the CN rail corridor runs 

the length of the north property line, and also includes the 

ramp to the underground garage, loading space and two 

garbage storage buildings 

• Pedestrian circulation through the site is by internal 

pathway accented by trees, benches and bollard lighting 

• 155 resident, 30 visitor parking spaces and 20 bicycle 

parking spaces are accessed by a single ramp 


• Unit entrances organized so that most entry ways provide 

access to 4 units 

• Three townhouse blocks have flat roofs with building 

heights between 10.5 and 11.5m, remaining blocks have 

peaked roofs with building heights of 13.5m. 


Site Plan 


• Building material is predominantly brick, with private 

outdoor amenity spaces dominated by black metal handrails 

Front yard landscaping 

95


TEN88 

1088 Progress Avenue – East District 

Internal Street Perspective 

Developer: Pace Developments Inc. 

Architect: Kohn Partnership Architects 

Landscape Architect: Marton Smith 

Landscape Architects 


General Description: The proposed development will consist of 3 

blocks of back-to-back townhouses with south-facing end units on 

the southern end of the property 

Type: Stacked back-to-back townhouses 

Building Height: 9.6-10.1m (to roof terrace) 

Site Area: 5,580 sq.m 

Total GFA: 8,798 sq.m, 1.58 FSI 

Site Coverage: 38% 


Separation distances between blocks: 21.6m, (8.3-15.9 between end 

unit blocks) 

Setbacks: 5.1m to building face from Progress Avenue 


No. of parking spaces and location: 129 (21 V), underground 

Common Amenity Area: Playground, Centre Green, outdoor seating 

and arbours 

Vertical Circulation: Stairs 

Surrounding Land Use: Located in an Apartments Neighbourhood 

with Neighbourhoods to the south, Mixed-Use to the west, Parks to 

the east, and Apartments Neighbourhood to the north 

Process and Status: Site Plan Approval 

Context Map 


2014 / 2015 

96 

Section Through Buildings

DESCRIPTION 

Introduction 

• The project consists of 105 units in 3 townhouse blocks 3 

and 4 storeys in height on the south end of a 2 phase 

development with two condominium towers to the north. The 

0.93 ha site is currently vacant 

Site Context 

• The property is designated Apartment Neighbourhoods, and 

is bounded by Apartment Neighbourhoods to the North, Parks 

to the east, Neighbourhoods to the South and Mixed Use to 

the west. The property is also bounded by three streets, 

Sheppard Avenue, Progress Avenue and Orchard Place Drive, 

and a new public street is proposed 


• The site is organized in a linear arrangement to provide 

access to the parking ramp and shared outdoor amenity 

space and provide visibility to unit entrances from streets 

• 130 parking spaces provided underground including 21 

visitor 


• End units on Orchard Place Drive are grade related while 

north-south units have multiple stairs to entrances 

• Private amenity space provided in courtyards and rooftop 

terraces 

• Shared amenity space provided as a landscaped Centre 

Green, arbours and playground 

Site Plan 


North Elevation 


• Building materials consist of two colours of brick, 

contrasting window fenestration and horizontal wood rail 

articulation at the ground plane. Black stair and balcony 

handrails dominate the facade 

Architectural Rendering 

97




2014 / 2015 

98

7.0 Glossary 


GLOSSARY AND FOOTNOTES | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE BUILDING GUIDELINES 

99

GLOSSARY AND FOOTNOTES | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES 

Glossary 

Address - a building with ‘address’ means its front door faces 

the public street 

Above-grade - space that is above ground level 

At-grade - space that is on the same level as the ground 

Amenity - those architectural and landscape elements in, and at 

the edges of, open space that promote the comfortable use of a 

space 

Angular Plane – angular planes provide build-to envelopes to 

maintain and define the character of the street; ensure adequate 

access to sun and sky views; and govern relationships between 

adjacent differing built forms 

Articulation - the layout or pattern of building elements 

including walls, doors, roofs, windows, cornices and belt 

courses 

Back of House Activities - Activities, essential to the efficient 

function of the development, that are commonly situated at the 

rear of the buildings (eg. garbage storage and vehicle access) 

Balcony - an outdoor elevated platform projected from or 

integrated into a building, enclosed by a parapet or railing 

Bay - in architecture, any division of a building between 

vertical lines or planes, especially the entire space included two 

adjacent supports 

Below-grade - space that is below ground level 

historic or cultural significance 

Courtyard – a landscaped open space, located in the centre of a 

single or consolidated block with no direct street frontage 

Development Infrastructure Policy and Standards (DIPS) - 

standards that establish clear directions for the layout and 

design of new public residential streets 

Driveway - an paved vehicular access that typically leads from 

the street to a private or shared garage or service area 

Façade - the exterior parts of the building visible to the public, 

usually shown in elevation drawings, that represents the 

building, tells people about the building, what it is, how to 

enter, the nature of the interior uses and their relationship with 

adjacent buildings, streets and open spaces 

Forecourts - landscaped open space between the public 

sidewalk and the main entrance of a building. 

Freehold - a privately owned property without shared or 

common elements 

Frontage – the portion of a development parcel or lot facing a 

street, park or other publicly accessible open space 


Harmonious - having the elements arranged in a proportionate, 

orderly and pleasing method 

Heritage Conservation District (HCD) - an area of the city that is 

protected by policies and guidelines to ensure its conservation 

and careful management. HCDs are designated based on their 


2014 / 2015 

100 

Common Element Condominium - as described in subsection 

138(2) of the Condominium Act, 1998, 

S.O. 1998, chapter 19 

Corner Treatment - a situation where two planes meet and 

present a three-dimensional view of the building and where the 

architectural treatment acknowledges the building's prominence 

on the street in terms of views and presence 

Human Scale – the quality of the physical environment which 

reflects a sympathetic proportional relationship to human 

dimensions and which contributes to the citizen's perception 

and comprehension of buildings or buildings or other features 

of the built environment 

Infill Townhouse Guidelines - design guidelines introduced 

in 2003 by the City of Toronto to address townhouse 

developments on public streets and short private mews

Landscaped Open Space – outdoor area characterized by hard 

and/or soft landscape treatment, but excluding driveways and 

vehicular parking areas. On-site landscaped open space may be 

publicly accessible or privately shared common outdoor space 

at-grade 

Landscaped Setback- the space between the public sidewalk 

and building face characterized by hard or soft landscape 

treatment 

Massing - the size and shape of a building above grade 

the entrance 

Main Wall - the predominant exterior vertical wall face of a 

building 

Mews Street - a privately owned and maintained street which 

provides for the full range of roles of a public street. A mews 

provides access and address at all times 

Overlook Condition - condition in which above-grade 

apartments or balconies have a view of private or public 

outdoor amenity spaces below them 

Pattern of Alignment - the repeated location of the front face of 

buildings in relationship to the property line 

Pattern of Building - the repeated physical characteristics of 

buildings within an area, on a street or block, including the 

building footprint, organization and massing 

Pavilion – the opposite of a streetwall building, a building that 

stands distinctly on its own surrounded by landscaping 

Pedestrian amenity - architectural and landscape elements, 

including lighting, trees, four season landscaping, decorative 

paving, seating, public art, water features, etc., that promote the 

safe and comfortable use of streets and open spaces 

Pedestrian Mews - a privately owned and maintained pedestrian 

street which provides access and address to individual 

buildings and units within a larger development site. A mews is 

open to the public and accessible at all times. 

Pedestrian scale - the quality of the physical environment 

which reflects a sympathetic proportional relationship to human 

dimensions and which contributes to a person's perception and 

comprehension of buildings and or other features in the built 

environment 

Plazas - animated gathering place with predominantly hard 

surfaced landscape features flanking a public street. 

Porch - a raised area projecting from the building at the level of 

Permeable Paving - pavement that allows water movement 

through its surface 

Private Mews - a small privately owned and maintained street 

which provides for the full range of roles of a public street, 

providing access and address at all times 

Private Shared Driveway - a paved vehicular access under 

private ownership, from a street and used as a circulation 

route through a development either with or without parking; for 

services and access to garages; does not provide pedestrian 

access or address for buildings 


Public Realm – streets, lanes and walkways, parks and other 

open spaces and the accessible parts of public buildings 

Public Street - a public way or thoroughfare in a City or town, 

usually with sidewalks 

Setbacks – refers to the distance between a property line and 

the front, side or rear of a building 

Separation Distance - distance between the face of a building 

and the face of another building or property line 

Siting / Building Orientation - the location, positioning and 

orientation of a building on its site, generally taking into 

account its relationship to adjoining properties, building and 

street boundaries 

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GLOSSARY AND FOOTNOTES | TOWNHOUSE AND LOW-RISE APARTMENT GUIDELINES


Siting / Building Orientation – the location, positioning and 

(Open space on the block tends to be in the middle of the block 

orientation of a building on its site, generally taking into account and is typically fenced for private uses, for service or parking, 

its relationship to adjoining properties, building and street 

or for use as a lane) 

boundaries 

Transition Between Zones of Intensity - on sites that are 

Soft Landscaping – open, unobstructed area that supports the adjacent to lower height limits either on the block or across the 

growth of vegetation such as grass, trees, shrubs, flowers or street, the massing and shape of new development should step 

other plants, and that permits water infiltration into the ground down to the adjacent height limit forming a base building at 

that height. Stepping the taller parts of the development away 

Stepbacks – refers to the setting back of the upper storeys of from the lower height area provides a transition from areas of 

a building. Front and side stepbacks help to create a transition differing intensity 

between built form of varying heights and provide appropriate Treatment Train - a system designed to treat stormwater run 

separation between adjacent buildings and/or open spaces off for water quality benefits and to reduce stormwater runoff 

peaks and volumes 

Storey – a habitable level within a building, excluding raised 

basements 

Urban Design - the analysis and design of the city’s physical 

form 

Stoop - a small landing in front of and at the level of the 

building entrance 

Urban Garden - a landscaped open space of intimate scale 

providing a tranquil setting adjacent to a city street 

Storey - a habitable level within a building, excluding raised 

basements 

Urban Tree Canopy - the layer of leaves, branches, and stems of 

trees that cover the ground when viewed from above 

Street - a significant part of the City’s open space system. In 

their role as connective linear open spaces, streets provide 

Walkway - a street level exterior publicly accessible pedestrian 

vehicular, pedestrian and utility access, address and light to 

way through the middle of a city block 

individual lots and blocks within the urban fabric. In addition 

they are landscaped and lit in the evening and provide a setting 

for social interaction and neighbourhood activities. A street may 

be private if it performs the many roles of a public street 

Streetwall - occurs where the sides of buildings touch each 

other and the building facades visually join together into one 

long wall defining a street space 


Street Proportion - the ratio of the height of buildings along 

the edges of the street and the width of the space between the 

building faces on each side of the street (includes setbacks) 

Terrace - an outdoor sitting area which extends the interior 

living space and is either adjacent to or on top of a building 


2014 / 2015 

Traditional Block - divided into lots; on these, individual 

buildings are sited close to the perimeter streets with private 

open space at the rear and sometimes the side of buildings. 

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DRAFT

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