Zoning By-law
The Town of St. Marys Zoning By-law implements the objectives and policies of the Official Plan and provides the required minimum provisions within each zone category. The Zoning By-law regulates the use of land and the character, erection, location and use of buildings and structures and to prohibit certain buildings, structures and uses in various defined areas of the Corporation of the Town of St. Marys.
On this page
- Zoning By-law Review Updates
- By-law Sections (PDF's) - consolidated June 2024
- Proposed Housekeeping Amendments
Zoning By-law Review Updates
Upcoming Zoning By-law Open House
Date: January 28, 2026 | 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Municipal Operations Centre | 408 James Street South, St. Marys, Ontario, N4X 1B6
The upcoming Open House will welcome residents, business owners, and all members of the community to share their feedback and learn more about the ongoing Zoning By-law Review. This drop-in event offers a chance to discover what the zoning update means for the town. This includes information on permitted building uses, building heights, distance from property lines, parking requirements, etc.. Please note, no decisions regarding the Zoning By-law Review will be made at the January Open House; it's simply an opportunity to get informed and have your say.
Town of St. Marys Zoning By-law Review
The Town of St. Marys retained NPG Planning Solutions Inc. (NPG) to undertake a Zoning By-law Review. Under the Planning Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13), local councils are required to amend their Zoning By-law to align with a new or updated Official Plan. St. Marys’ updated Official Plan was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) in October 2024.
The Town of St. Marys current Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. Z1-1997 was adopted by Council on March 11, 1997. Since the Official Plan has been approved, the Zoning By-law will need to be brought into conformity with the approved Official Plan.
What is a Zoning By-law?
A Zoning By-law is a legal document outlining the set of regulations that determine how a piece of land can be used and developed. The Zoning By-law regulates the use of land and buildings; the located and setbacks of buildings and structures; the types of buildings permitted; lot sizes; heights; parking requirements; and performance standards such as landscaping requirements.
The Zoning By-law Review is a collaborative and coordinated process which will involve the preparation of a Technical Memorandum on By-law Issues, Technical Briefs, and the updated Zoning By-law and associated mapping, as well as the necessary public and stakeholder engagement. The project is intended to be completed by October 2026.
Contact Information
If you’d like to learn more about the event or project, stay updated, request additional information, or be added to the project contact list, please reach out to the individual listed below:
Grant Brouwer
Director of Building & Development
Phone: 519-284-2340 ext. 215
Email: gbrouwer@town.stmarys.on.ca
By-law Sections (PDFs) - consolidated June 2024
- Section 01 Introduction
- Section 02 Administration, Enforcement, and Penalties
- Section 03 Definitions
- Section 04 Zones and Interpretation
- Section 05 General Provisions
- Section 06 Agricultural Zone One (A1)
- Section 07 Agricultural Zone Two (A2)
- Section 08 Residential Zones
- Section 09 Commercial Zones
- Section 10 Light Industrial Zone (M1)
- Section 11 General Industrial Zone (M2)
- Section 12 Extractive Industrial Zone (M3)
- Section 13 Environmental Constraint Zone (EC)
- Section 14 Institutional Zone (I)
- Section 15 Open Space Zone (OS)
- Section 16 Flood Plain Zone (FP)
- Section 17 Special Policy Area Constraint Zone (SPA)
- Section 18 Natural Hazard Constraint Areas
- Section 19 Holding Zone (-H)
- Section 20 Development Zone (D)
- Zoning Maps
If you have any questions about the Zoning By-law, please contact Grant Brouwer, Director of Building and Development at 519-284-2340 ext. 215.
Proposed Housekeeping Amendments
The Town has initiated housekeeping amendments to the Town’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law to address a number of formatting, interpretation and technical issues that have been identified through the day-to-day use of the By-law.
The Town of St. Marys held a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of the public meeting was to provide an opportunity for you to provide comments to the Town respecting the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment. A copy of the notice of public meeting, a summary of the proposed amendments and Formal Report DEV 38-2022 to the Town's Planning Advisory Committee (May 30, 2022) are available below.
If you require any documents listed on this page in an alternate format, please contact the Clerk's Office at 519-284-2340 ext. 212 or clerksoffice@town.stmarys.on.ca.
Contact Us
Town of St. Marys (general contact)
Town Hall: 175 Queen Street East
Mail: P.O Box 998
St. Marys, ON N4X 1B6