Zoning By-laws
A zoning by-law is a tool used by the Red River Planning District to implement development plan policies and typically represents what is 'on the ground'. Zoning by-laws are guided by and must generally conform to the development plan. Zoning works by regulating the use of land and the use and location of buildings and structures. It includes both text and maps.
The Planning Act requires every municipality or planning district in Manitoba to adopt a zoning by-law. A zoning by-law must:
- divide the municipality or planning district into zones;
- prescribe permitted and conditional uses for land and buildings in each zone; and
- set out the procedure for applying for and issuing development permits, non-conforming certificates, zoning memoranda and other similar documents, including the classes of minor development, if any, that do not require a development permit.
How does a zoning by-law differ from a development plan?
The development plan by-law provides general planning direction and policy to guide development in line with a community’s goals. The zoning by-law is a tool used to implement and regulate development to ensure it is consistent with this direction and policy.
Overall, development plans are more general than zoning by-laws, which are more specific. For example: A development plan might designate an area as ‘residential’, while the zoning by-law will zone it for a specific kind of residential use—like multi-family or single family. Zoning also requires specific building standards such as height, location, yard sizes, fence heights, parking, etc.
