Item - 2025.PH23.8

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1. Endorsed the proposed zoning framework in the report (June 27, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning as the basis for public consultation, and directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report back with final recommendations by the first quarter of 2026.

An estimated 400 pet establishments operate in Toronto, including any business that keeps live animals on their premises for the purpose of conducting business. These include kennels, pet daycares, and pet grooming salons, but do not include veterinary practices, animal rescues or animal shelters. This business sector has experienced recent growth due to increased pet ownership rates.

Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) is reviewing requirements and introducing a new pet establishment business licence class to regulate all businesses for the sale of, grooming, training, daycare or the overnight boarding of animals. Council has directed City Planning to conduct a review of the zoning regulations affecting kennels and pet services in relation to the introduction of the proposed pet establishment business license class. Given the complementary roles of Chapter 545 and the City of Toronto’s zoning by-laws, and the interconnectedness of licensing and zoning, Municipal Licensing and Standards and City Planning staff have been working collaboratively to align and streamline recommendations.

The current zoning permissions for pet establishments are a harmonization of regulations found in Toronto’s pre-amalgamation zoning by-laws. Current zoning permissions permit pet grooming in commercial areas; however, they restrict the training, boarding, and breeding of pets to the employment industrial (E) zone, which can be far from where residents live. The Zoning By-law also prohibits pet services (i.e. grooming of pets) as a home occupation where customers and clients attend the home to obtain services. Residents have expressed interest in permitting these uses closer to where people live, but have also raised concerns about potential nuisance issues (e.g. noise), especially when permitted close to residential areas.

This preliminary report has been produced in parallel to an Municipal Licensing and Standards final report advancing to Economic and Community Development Committee on July 9, 2025 which recommends a new business licence class for pet establishments. Due to the timing of the reports, City Planning has participated in MLS-led consultations to best align recommendations. This report proposes a zoning framework for the purpose of public consultation to modernize pet establishment permissions by expanding permissions for boarding, training, and breeding in commercial zones, subject to conditions. The proposed framework seeks to appropriately address potential nuisance issues associated with these uses in an urban context. It also aligns with the proposed business license class for pet establishments, which includes pet shops (retail store), breeding, boarding and training kennels, pet daycares, and pet grooming.