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On June 6, 2025, Winnipeg City Council approved a key zoning bylaw update that will allow a broader range of housing types across more residential neighbourhoods. The changes are part of a coordinated strategy to address housing supply pressures and help position Winnipeg to potentially access over $450 million in federal housing and infrastructure support, subject to meeting program requirements.
Expanded Zoning Permissions
The new zoning framework introduces greater flexibility for housing construction in areas previously limited to single-detached homes. Under the amended regulations, developers and homeowners can now pursue a wider range of low- to medium-density housing forms, including duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and small-scale multi-unit dwellings, within more urban and suburban areas.
This shift supports incremental density in established neighbourhoods and removes key regulatory barriers that previously restricted gentle intensification.
The amendments also include streamlining provisions for lot coverage, minimum frontage, and parking, reducing discretionary approval processes and allowing more projects to proceed by right.
Alignment with Federal Funding Programs
The zoning overhaul is a key requirement under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) and supports alignment with the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) and Public Transit Fund (PTF). Together, these programs are expected to provide over $450 million in support for Winnipeg over the next few years. The funding is tied to progress on increasing housing supply, encouraging higher density near transit, and updating zoning and permitting systems.
To receive full funding from the Housing Accelerator Fund, municipalities need to make specific regulatory changes. Winnipeg’s new zoning rules, along with efforts to speed up permitting and better align infrastructure planning with new housing, were essential in meeting these federal requirements.
Strategic Growth and Infrastructure Coordination
The newly allowed housing types are expected to support moderate increases in density in neighbourhoods that already have infrastructure in place, helping to lower the cost of servicing each new unit. The City has also committed to coordinating infrastructure upgrades with specific growth areas, especially near major transit routes. This is meant to make better use of transit investments and support provincial and federal goals for transit-oriented development.
Alongside the zoning changes, Winnipeg plans to roll out new digital tools and improvements to the planning process, including a permit tracking system and potential tools such as a pre-application consultation portal, aimed at speeding up approvals and reducing delays.
Broader Housing Supply Implications
Although the updated zoning bylaw doesn’t include specific affordability requirements, allowing a wider range of housing types could help increase overall supply, especially in areas that were previously limited to single-family homes. This approach follows a broader national trend, as municipalities across Canada adjust their planning rules to align with federal funding programs designed to boost housing development.
Winnipeg is now among several cities that have introduced zoning reforms alongside federal funding agreements. This coordination points to a more connected approach to housing and infrastructure planning, with the potential to influence how urban growth takes shape over the next decade.
Additional details, including how the changes will be tracked and the timeline for future phases, are expected later in 2025.
