​Multi-Residential Interim Control By-law (ICBL)

What is an Interim Control By-law (ICBL)?

An ICBL is an important planning tool that allows the municipality to rethink its current land use policies by suspending development that may end up conflicting with any new policy that may be developed. However, in order to enact an ICBL, Council must direct that a review or study be undertaken with respect to the existing land use policies in question.

Section 38(1) of the Planning Act permits a municipality to pass an interim control by-law (ICBL) that prohibits the use of land, buildings or structures for such purposes as set out in the by-law. This, in effect, “freezes” development that is described by the by-law for a period not to exceed one year, or two years if the period the ICBL is in effect is extended.

When did the City pass the Interim Control By-law?

On July 13, 2020, City Council approved Interim Control By-law 103-2020, which temporarily prohibits the use of all lands, buildings and structures for a group home, shelter, lodging house and/or dwelling with five or more dwelling units, unless exempted in the Interim Control By-law, in order to allow the City to conduct a study. On June 7, 2021, Council passed By-law 99-2021 to extend By-law 103-2020 for an additional year.

This will allow administration to review and, if deemed appropriate, implement the findings of the said study. Administration will bring the results of the study to Council before the Interim Control By-law expires.

For more information, please see the Residential Interim Control By-law.

Study Updates:

As a result of the Multi-Residential Interim Control By-law Study, Council approved amendments to the City of Windsor Official Plan and Zoning By-law 8600.

• Notice of Adoption - Official Plan Amendment 159
• Notice of Passing - Zoning By-law Amendment (By-law 101-2022)
• June 6, 2022 Council Report

Open House and Public Meeting to Consider the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to Implement the Recommendations of the Multi-Residential Interim Control By-law Study - File Z-019/22 [ZNG/6756] & OPA 152 [OPA/6757]

• The Planning Department hosted a public open house on Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at All Saints Anglican Church (330 City Hall Square West, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 1J3) to present the proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment resulting from the Multi-Residential Interim Control By-law Study and provided an opportunity for the public to ask questions before they are presented to the Development and Heritage Standing Committee and Council.

Special Meeting of the Development and Heritage Standing Committee (DHSC)

• DHSC Agenda
• Background Studies:
• Demographics and Economic Analysis (Altus Group) 
• Background Report (Municipal Planning Consultants and The Planning Partnership) 
• Intensification Guidelines (The Planning Partnership)

The City hosted a virtual engagement event about the Multi-Residential Interim Control By-law study on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, via Zoom. We are still looking for your comments on the study! Please review the presentation material and provide comments using the links below. Deadline for comments is May 16, 2022.

• Virtual Engagement Presentation – April 5, 2022
• Comment Form

For general information, call 311. For detailed inquiries, contact us:

Planning & Building Services Department
Planning Division
Suite 210, 350 City Hall Square West
Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9A 6S1
Phone: (519) 255-6543
Fax: (519) 255-6544
Email: planningdept@citywindsor.ca