Policy & Zoning | Multiplex By-law (4 units)
Toronto's City-Wide Multiplex By-law
On May 10, 2023, Toronto City Council adopted the by-law that made up to four units a permitted use on residential lots across the city. The decision came out of the Multiplex Study (2–4 units) under the EHON program. Four units fit roughly the same envelope as a detached house — and a compliant build skips rezoning entirely.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Up to four units as-of-right in all residential Neighbourhoods zones, city-wide.
- ✓Adopted May 10, 2023 (item 2023.PH3.16): OPA Law 0473, Zoning Law 0474.
- ✓Zoning effective May 12, 2023; Official Plan amendment effective June 14, 2023.
- ✓Four units fit roughly the same envelope as a detached house.
The by-law text sets the rule; the zone stamped on your parcel decides what it means for you. Apply the by-law to one lot .
The By-law at a Glance
| Detail | What it says |
|---|---|
| Council adoption | May 10, 2023 (item 2023.PH3.16) |
| Official Plan amendment | Law 0473 — effective June 14, 2023 |
| Zoning By-law amendment | Law 0474 — effective May 12, 2023 |
| What it permits | Up to 4 units as-of-right |
| Where | All Neighbourhoods-designated residential lands (RD, RS, RT zones) |
| Building envelope | Roughly the same as a detached house |
| Approval path | Building permit — no rezoning, no Official Plan amendment, no public meeting |
Dates and item numbers from the City of Toronto Multiplex Study and the by-law text in Law 0473 (PDF).
What "As-of-Right" Means Here
As-of-right means the use is already permitted by the zoning, so you do not ask the City for permission to do it — you apply for a building permit to build it. For a compliant fourplex that means no rezoning, no Official Plan amendment, and no public meeting. The four units sit inside roughly the same building envelope a detached house could occupy: the same general height, lot coverage, and setbacks for the zone.
The catch is the envelope itself. A design that exceeds the as-of-right limits on height, coverage, or setbacks needs a minor variance from the Committee of Adjustment before a permit issues. The exact figures live in Zoning By-law 569-2013.
Best For
- ✓ A residential Neighbourhoods lot where up to four units fit the as-of-right envelope.
- ✓ Owners who want to add density without rezoning or a public meeting.
- ✓ New builds and conversions alike — the four-unit permission applies to both.
Usually Fails When
- ✕ Assuming the 2023 by-law allows five or six units — it caps the city-wide permission at four.
- ✕ A design that exceeds the envelope, where the variance timeline was not planned.
- ✕ Treating the OPA and zoning effective dates as the same — they differ by about a month.
What To Verify Before Spending Money
- → The residential zone (RD, RS, RT) and the Neighbourhoods designation for the parcel.
- → That the proposed design fits the as-of-right envelope, or scope a variance.
- → Whether the lot is in a heritage conservation district that adds review.
Where to Go Next
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Toronto's multiplex by-law allow?
When did the multiplex by-law take effect?
What are Law 0473 and Law 0474?
Does the multiplex by-law cover sixplexes?
Which zones does the multiplex by-law apply to?
How does this relate to the provincial three-unit rule?
Official Sources Referenced
Related reading
Longer pieces on the same question.
The by-law, applied to your lot
The by-law text sets four units as the city-wide maximum. PlexCheck applies it to the zone stamped at your address and shows what fits.
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