Big Changes Are Coming to Woodpark!

2025 Ottawa Zoning By-law change will significantly change the types of housing built throughout our city and in Woodpark. Our neighborhood will be transitioning to a Neighbourhood Mixed Use Zone (N3B), which introduces higher density, new development standards and limited parking on home sites. Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or simply curious about what’s next; these changes will directly affect you! Please read on to learn more. 

Density Increase

• Multiple Buildings Per Lot: The new rules permit multiple structures on a single lot, encouraging creative housing solutions.

• The new zoning will allow up to 10 units per standard lot (15m x 30m); 

  • Note that due to recent changes to provincial legislation developers have already been permitted to build dwellings of 6 units in new developments on Wentworth, Hartleigh and Halldon Pl.

• Lot Size Adjustments: Minimum lot widths decrease to 7.5m, and front yard setbacks are reduced to 3m, to support increased housing density.

No minimum parking requirements

• Ottawa's new zoning by-law draft proposes eliminating minimum parking requirements in N3 zones, meaning developers can decide how much parking to provide rather than following city-mandated minimums. The city is framing this shift as a move toward "parking choice", arguing that it will help make housing more affordable and encourage sustainable transportation.

• Front yard parking will be allowed where a driveway to a garage would have been permitted and cannot be expanded beyond the original driveway or lane limits. A single parking space in the front yard is proposed in Neighbourhood Zones outside of the Downtown Transect where a garage would be permitted.

Building Height

• Maximum building height increases from 8m to 11m, allowing for mid-scale residential buildings.

Neighbourhood look and feel

• Ottawa's Mature Neighbourhoods Overlay is being phased out as part of the city's new zoning framework. The new N3 zoning introduces a form-based approach to regulation, meaning zoning will focus more on building design and function rather than maintaining historical streetscape patterns.

• Front yard setbacks will no longer need to conform to the average setback of adjacent properties.

The new zoning plan is scheduled to be finalized early in 2026.  A summary of the changes and links to the draft plan and how to provide your comments are found here: https://engage.ottawa.ca/28126/widgets/119508/documents/153916. 

Traffic, pedestrian safety and access to green space and parking will all feel the impact and over time, our neighborhood’s character could shift dramatically.  We will need to work with the city to ensure that we have the necessary infrastructure in our neighbourhood to support the increase in population. We will need your input and help to keep our neighbourhood  livable, walkable, and vibrant for generations to come.

Please feel free to reach out to the Woodpark Community Association with any questions or concerns, provide your comment below or even better, join the group of people working on these issues!