Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Update

The Township of Muskoka Lakes wants to hear from you about Non-Waterfront Area zoning. This work follows the Waterfront Area zoning consultation held last summer and continues the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Update.

A Consultation Guide is available to help explain the proposed changes.

Your feedback will help inform non-waterfront area zoning provisions in the Township of Muskoka Lakes.

Topics for Discussion

Feedback is being sought on a range of non-waterfront zoning topics, including:

• 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

Ways to Get Involved

There are several opportunities to participate and share your perspective:

• 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) (NEW)
  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).
  
  
• Written comments are always welcomed via email (to planning@muskokalakes.ca(External link)) 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)

Those interested in participating in one of the engagement opportunities above are encouraged to review the Consultation Guide ahead of time. Your feedback will play an important role in informing the next steps of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Update.

Subscribe to this project page to stay informed on updates.

On October 27, the Zoning Steering Committee will receive and consider the results of the 2026 Waterfront Zoning By-law Consultation process, as well as the recommendations of Meridian Consultants on the Waterfront Zoning Issues.

In addition, the Committee will also receive and discuss a background memo by Meridian Consultant on the Non-Waterfront Zoning Issues (i.e. housing, parking, community zones, commercial resorts) that will be the subject of focused public consultations for Fall 2025.

Details
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers, Township of Muskoka Lakes (1 Bailey St., Port Carling)
Members of the public are welcome to attend in-person and observe the meeting.

The Township of Muskoka Lakes extends its sincere thanks to all residents, property owners, and stakeholders who attended the Waterfront Area Zoning Open House on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Port Carling Community Centre.

Feedback from the community is a valuable part of the Township’s ongoing Comprehensive Zoning By-law Update and will help inform future zoning policies related to waterfront properties.

Materials from the Open House

The following resources are now available for reference:

• Open House Presentation (PDF)

• Participant Worksheet (PDF)

• Open House Presentation Recording (MP4)

Feedback Opportunities Still Open (Concluded)

If you were unable to join us in person, we encourage you to complete the online survey by Friday, August 8. The materials from the Open House may be helpful to review before completing the online survey.

Next Steps: Comprehensive Zoning By-law Update

Engagement on zoning provisions for Urban, Community and Rural Areas of the Township will be conducted this fall. Stay up to date by subscribing for email updates on this page.

Waterfront Area Zoning Engagement Begins

On June 12, 2025, the Township of Muskoka Lakes' Planning Committee endorsed the next phase of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Update. The Township’s new Official Plan is, in part, under appeal. As a result, the Township’s Community and Stakeholder Engagement Program is, at this time, limited to a focus on considerations related to un-appealed policies and select issues raised by the Township. The first phase of the Program addresses Waterfront Area zoning issues.

Next Step: Let’s Talk Waterfront Zoning

Do you live on or near the water? Are you interested in how zoning shapes land use including permitted uses, boathouse design, sport courts and recreational surfaces, accessory buildings, hot tub placement?

We’re launching a dedicated consultation on Waterfront Area zoning — and we want your input.

A Consultation Guide has been developed on select substantive zoning issues affecting the waterfront area. Please review prior to engaging with any of the below opportunities.

Here’s how to get involved:

• Book a one-on-one interview with a member of the consulting team via Interview + Survey tab
• Join us at our Open House on Saturday, July 26 from 12–2 PM at the Port Carling Community Centre (more information via Open House tab)
• Complete the online survey by August 8 via Interview + Survey tab (Concluded)
• Share this page with your neighbours and networks

Your feedback is critical to helping shape the future of zoning in the Township of Muskoka Lakes.

Please Note:

• Engagement on zoning provisions for Urban, Community and Rural Areas of the Township will be conducted in the Fall of 2025. Stay tuned for updates.
• The Consultation Guide provides an overview of the substantive zoning issues affecting the Waterfront Area, developed in collaboration with an appointed Project Steering Committee. The new Official Plan is, in part, under appeal, and this Consultation Guide addresses considerations related to un-appealed policies and select issues that have been raised by the Township.
• Other changes to the Waterfront Area zoning provisions may be considered as the process unfolds. Your comments on any other Waterfront Area zoning issue not dealt within the Consultation Guide are also appreciated.

A Special Planning Committee meeting was held on April 29, 2025, during which the Township’s consultant, Meridian Planning Inc, presented a Draft Background Review and Directions Report to Planning Committee. This draft report provided an overview on the progress of the Zoning By-law Update Project and the core zoning issues that have been discussed during the Zoning Steering Committee meetings to date.

Planning Committee received the draft report for information purposes. The draft report was open for comments from members of the Planning Committee and the public until May 23th, 2025, after which the report is to be finalized.

The Final Background Review and Directions Report will be presented to Planning Committee for endorsement on June 12, 2025. It will also provide details regarding revisions to the community and stakeholder engagement component of the project.

The Agenda for the June 12, 2025 Planning Committee meeting will be published on the Township’s Government Portal on Friday, June 6, 2025, by 4:00 p.m. The report will be available for viewing at that time. A link to the Agenda will also be posted on the Engage Page once it is published. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE JUNE 12, 2025 PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA.

Please Note: Those wishing to speak at the Planning Committee meeting on June 12 will need to submit a formal delegation request by submitting the required form to the Clerk by 9:00 am on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. The request form can be accessed at this link: https://forms.muskokalakes.ca/Delegate-Request-Form

Participation Details

Date – Thursday, June 12, 2025 (Planning Committee Meeting)

Time – 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location – Hybrid Format (in-person and electronic meeting via Zoom)

• In person - Council Chambers, Municipal Office, 1 Bailey Street, Port Carling ON P0B 1J0
• Zoom – Please see meeting details below
  
  

Zoom Meeting Information

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83534139796?pwd=5E9RcybhehAIYZU7tdiWfsx1yUSxY6.1

Passcode:662182

Phone one-tap:

+17789072071,,83534139796#,,,,*662182# Canada +17806660144,,83534139796#,,,,*662182# Canada

Join via audio:

+1 778 907 2071 Canada +1 780 666 0144 Canada +1 204 272 7920 Canada +1 +438 809 7799 Canada +1 587 328 1099 Canada +1 647 374 4685 Canada +1 +647 558 0588 Canada +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 689 278 1000 US +1 +719 359 4580 US +1 253 205 0468 US +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 301 +715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 305 224 1968 US +1 309 205 3325 US +1 +312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 360 209 5623 +US +1 386 347 5053 US +1 507 473 4847 US +1 564 217 2000 US +1 646 558 +8656 US (New York) +1 646 931 3860 US +1 669 444 9171 US

Webinar ID: 835 3413 9796

Passcode: 662182

International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcXPwjoOhz

Staff and the consulting team will be bringing forward a draft Background Review and Directions Report on the Zoning By-law Update Project to a Special Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

The purpose of the Zoning By-law Update Project is to review and update the Township’s Zoning By-law to conform with the recently approved Official Plan, as well as to undertake amendments to address technical/housekeeping issues identified by staff, the Zoning By-law Steering Committee and the public. The project includes a comprehensive community and stakeholder engagement program that is scheduled to begin during the summer of 2025.

The draft Background Review and Directions Report being presented to Planning Committee on April 29, 2025 will identify the scope of the changes required to the Zoning By-law, including those required to implement the recently approved Official Plan, as well as technical/housekeeping issues identified by staff and the Zoning By-law Steering Committee. The report does not make recommendations on how best to address the issues, but does, in some cases, identify options for consideration.

Based on the feedback received from the Planning Committee and the public on April 29^th, 2025, the draft report will be finalized for endorsement at a future Planning Committee meeting and will be used to help guide the community and stakeholder engagement component of the project.

The meeting Agenda will be published on Wednesday, April 23 by 4:00 p.m. and will be available for viewing online in the Township’s Government Portal. The Agenda link will be posted on the Engage Page and to social media once the Agenda is published. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SPECIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA.

Members of the public and other stakeholders are welcome to attend the meeting to observe and/or speak. Please Note: Anyone is welcome to speak at the meeting and no pre-registration is required. However, any presentation materials must be submitted to planning@muskokalakes.ca a minimum of 24 hours prior to the meeting and no hard copy circulation will be permitted at the table.

Participation Details

Date – Tuesday, April 29^th, 2025

Time – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location – Hybrid Format (in-person and electronic meeting via Zoom)

• In person - Council Chambers, Municipal Office, 1 Bailey Street, Port Carling ON P0B 1J0
• Zoom – Please see meeting details below

Zoom Meeting Information

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83275744506?pwd=ha5kIt6hqOKaKr6qXmZzrduyey5oBk.1

Passcode: 746964

Phone one-tap:

+16475580588,,83275744506#,,,,*746964# Canada +17789072071,,83275744506#,,,,*746964# Canada

Join via audio:

+1 647 558 0588 Canada +1 778 907 2071 Canada +1 780 666 0144 Canada +1 204 272 7920 Canada +1 438 809 7799 Canada +1 587 328 1099 Canada +1 647 374 4685 Canada +1 669 444 9171 US +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 689 278 1000 US +1 719 359 4580 US +1 253 205 0468 US +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 305 224 1968 US +1 309 205 3325 US +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 360 209 5623 US +1 386 347 5053 US +1 507 473 4847 US +1 564 217 2000 US +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 646 931 3860 US

Webinar ID: 832 7574 4506

Passcode: 746964

Phase II – Technical Review and Issues Identification – of the Township’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law Update continues. This phase of the project is largely technical in nature and involves the Steering Committee, together with the project consultants and staff, working to identify issues with the existing Zoning By-law and potential options to address these issues, and to identify how best to implement Official Plan policies following the recent Official Plan update. Valuable discourse continues with respect to what ultimate directions to take for the update. The Steering Committee meetings are open to the public and other stakeholders to observe.

Phase II will culminate in the presentation of a Draft Background Review and Directions Report to Planning Committee by the project consultants for input and feedback prior to consideration of its final approval. It is anticipated that the Draft Report will be presented to Planning Committee in April 2025. Members of the public and other stakeholders will have an opportunity delegate to Planning Committee.

The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Steering Committee meetings are not being live-streamed, but members of the public are welcome to attend in-person to observe.

The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Steering Committee meetings are not being live-streamed, but members of the public are welcome to attend in-person to observe.

The Comprehensive Zoning By-law Steering Committee had their first meeting on Monday September 23, 2024, the slides from this meeting can be found under the documents tab. There are two additional Steering Committee meetings scheduled for 2024:

• Wednesday, October 30, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers
• Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers

Steering Committee meetings are not being live-streamed, but members of the public are welcome to attend in-person to observe.

The Project Steering Committee shall report directly to Planning Committee and shall be responsible for the following:

• Provide advice, assistance and guidance to the Township’s selected consultant and sub-consultant and Township staff in completing the project in accordance with the approved Proposal for Consulting Services, including timing and budget;
• Review and provide input on matters such as, zoning issues identification, community and stakeholder engagement, and the various drafts of the proposed Comprehensive Zoning By-law;
• Ensure necessary zoning issues are addressed by the consultants; and
• Provide appropriate recommendations to Planning Committee on the appropriateness of all documents for public consultation purposes and recommend to Planning Committee the final version of a Comprehensive Zoning By-law suitable for approval by the Township of Muskoka Lakes Council.

Council Members

• Councillor Rob Bosomworth (Vice-Chair)
• Councillor Mary Ellen McIntyre
• Councillor Gordon Roberts

Citizen Members

• Barb Bridgeman (Chair)
• Shawn Donaldson
• Al Moran
• Frank Pottow

• Terry Ledger