The pool and hot tub industry is continuing to monitor a proposed zoning bylaw amendment in the City of Toronto that could affect the construction of backyard pools and hot tubs.

City council considered the item on Feb. 4, 2026, and referred it to a committee for further consideration.

The proposed amendment, contained under Item PH27.1, would reclassify outdoor pools and hot tubs so they would no longer count as “soft landscaping” in rear yards. The change is part of a broader proposal titled “Growing Space for Trees: Protecting and Enhancing the Tree Canopy While Supporting Infill Housing and Addressing Concerns with Iceberg Homes.”

According to the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC), removing pool and hot tub water surfaces from soft-landscaping calculations would reduce the amount of countable soft landscaping when a pool is proposed. The association says this could push many otherwise routine projects below minimum soft-landscaping requirements, requiring homeowners to apply for minor variances and potentially increasing costs and timelines.

Following the PHTCC’s call to action, several Toronto-area pool builders submitted written comments outlining concerns with the proposed amendment under Item PH27.1. In their correspondence, industry representatives stated that while they support Toronto’s objective of protecting and enhancing the urban tree canopy, the proposed categorical exclusion of pools and hot tubs could create unintended consequences for the community, the economy, and regulations.

The broader package is intended to protect the city’s tree canopy and address concerns related to so-called “iceberg homes.” The PHTCC maintains that, under the amendment, pools and hot tubs are treated similarly to hard paving or building mass rather than as established backyard amenities.

Industry members and stakeholders are being encouraged to review the decision text for further details on next steps following the referral.