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The latest draft of Toronto's zoning bylaw addressing rear yard soft landscaping requirements now includes an exemption for the surface area of pools.

The latest draft of Toronto's zoning bylaw addressing rear yard soft landscaping requirements now includes an exemption for the surface area of pools and ancillary structures containing water.

According to a recent statement released by the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC), the amendment was included in an April 21 draft of the zoning bylaw, which currently reads:

In the residential zone category, for the purpose of determining the amount of soft landscaping required by 10.5.50.10 (2) and (3), the area of soft landscaping may include the water surface area of swimming pools or other ancillary structures used to hold water, such as fountains or artificial ponds.

A staff report outlining any additional changes will be released on May 19 followed by a statutory open house on May 27. A statutory public meeting will be held on June 16.

The PHTCC will continue to monitor the progress of the zoning bylaw; however, it does not anticipate any further changes to this particular article before it is ratified and subsequently released.

For a complete copy of the draft zoning bylaws, visit www.toronto.ca/zoning.