Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Update

Upcoming Events:

Information & Engagement Session | Non-Waterfront Areas
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Port Carling Community Centre (3 Bailey St.)

Click here to RSVP
(via Eventbrite) (Note: to make a verbal RSVP, please call the Township Planning Department at 705-765-3156)

**Please note: In the event of extreme weather, any transition to a virtual format will be posted this project page no later than 24 hours prior to the event (by 4:00 p.m. on March 3). For those without internet access and if weather conditions are poor, please call the Township office (705-765-3156) on the day of the session to confirm.

Why are we updating this by-law?

In accordance with Section 26(9) of the Planning Act, the Township is required to review and amend its Comprehensive Zoning By-law within three years of an updated Official Plan coming into effect to ensure it conforms with the updated Official Plan. The District of Muskoka approved the Township’s new Official Plan on November 20, 2023.

The purpose of the Township’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law is to implement the policies of the Official Plan for the District of Muskoka and the Township’s Official Plan. Official Plans are general documents that are not intended to regulate every aspect of built-form on a private lot. In the Province of Ontario, this is the role of a zoning by-law. The statutory authority to zone land is granted by the Planning Act. The Planning Act specifies what a zoning by-law can regulate.

The Comprehensive Zoning By-law Update is being undertaken in two phases:

1. Waterfront Zoning (completed in Fall 2025)
2. Non-Waterfront Zoning (currently underway)
   
   

Who's involved?

Nick McDonald of Meridian Planning Consultants Inc. and Donna Hinde of the Planning Partnership have been retained by the Township to to provide professional services to prepare the update. The Project Lead will be the Township’s Manager of Planning. A Project Steering Committee will provide initial feedback and guidance to the Township’s Planning Committee.

Final approval of the updated Comprehensive Zoning By-law will be made by Township Council at a future date.

Phase 1 | Waterfront Zoning

Consultation completed in Fall 2025.

In summer 2025, the Township engaged the community and stakeholders on Waterfront Area zoning issues as part of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Update. Engagement activities included one-on-one conversations with the project consulting team, an in-person information session and an online survey.

Key Documents:

• Waterfront Consultation What We Heard Report (October 2025)
• Open House Presentation Recording (July 26) (mp4)
• Steering Committee Meeting Report - Waterfront Recommendations (Oct 22 2025)

Phase 2 | Non-Waterfront Zoning

Now underway!

This phase will focuses on key zoning issues affecting non-waterfront areas and is supported by a Consultation Guide outlining potential zoning changes aligned with the 2023 Official Plan. While parts of the 2023 Official Plan remain under appeal, this phase of engagement focuses on un-appealed policies and identified zoning issues.

Here are the topics we're looking at:

• Changing zoning standards to support affordable housing
• Potential zoning standards for additional dwelling units
• Changes to zone categories:
  1. Changing rural zone categories and minimum lot frontage and area requirements
  2. Zoning of residential clusters
  3. Zoning of local community areas
  4. Zoning to implement the new Local Agricultural Area designation
• Zoning within Rural and Urban/Community Areas
• Hunt Camps
• Home-based businesses
• Parking in Core Commercial areas

How to Get Involved

• Review the Consultation Guide prior to engaging below
  
• Online Survey (NEW): Share Your Input on Non-Waterfront Area Zoning Issues for the Muskoka Lakes Zoning By-law!
  Deadline: March 8, 2026
  Click here to download the print-ready version to submit in-person
  
• Information & Engagement Session (in-person) (HAPPENING SOON)
  Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
  Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  Location: Port Carling Community Centre
  Click here to RSVP (via Eventbrite) (Note: to make a verbal RSVP, please call the Township Planning Department at 705-765-3156)
  
  **Please note: In the event of extreme weather, any transition to a virtual format will be posted this project page no later than 24 hours prior to the event (by 4:00 p.m. on March 3). For those without internet access and if weather conditions are poor, please call the Township office (705-765-3156) on the day of the session to confirm.
  
  
• Written comments are always welcomed via email (to planning@muskokalakes.ca) or in-person at the Township Office (1 Bailey St., Port Carling), addressed to the Planning Department.
  
  
• Share the project page with your neighbours and community networks to help spread the word.

Concluded:

• Virtual Information Session (Occurred: January 26, 2026)
  • Presentation Recording (Click here to watch now)
  • Presentation Deck (Click here to view)
• One-on-one phone conversation with the project consulting team (Occurred: January 16, 2026)