Heights Framework Review
Consultation has concluded
Updates
- Effective July 25, 2025 the province approved the amendments that will help make it easier and faster to build new homes in London. Full details in Official Plan Amendment 124.
- September 24, 2024 City Council approved amendments to The London Plan supporting the creation of new housing opportunities.
Heights Framework Review
The City undertook a review of the current heights framework within The London Plan. The purpose of the review was to consider revised maximum building heights in all urban Place Types and give policy direction and design standards (zoning regulations and/or site plan requirements) for tall buildings (greater than 8 storeys).
Background
The permissions for height within the urban Place Types included a minimum height, standard maximum height, and upper maximum (subject to additional criteria). The current Zoning by-law dates back to 1993 and was developed to implement the previous Official Plan (1989). There is an ongoing process to prepare a new comprehensive zoning by-law that would conform to and help implement The London Plan, however that is a multi-year project.
In 2016, at the time of the development of The London Plan, the heights framework was structured such that maximum heights were achieved through bonus zoning within any urban Place Type. The London Plan had a series of polices for bonusing to authorize an increase in height or density in return for facilities, services or matters identified in The London Plan pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act. Section 37, however, was repealed and as a result, The London Plan was restructured to allow for standard maximum heights and an upper maximum height that may be achieved subject to site-specific zoning.
