Expanding Citywide Housing Options

The City is reviewing and updating our planning policies and zoning regulations to remove barriers to housing development and enable the delivery of housing options that meet the needs of our growing city. To keep informed of our progress, please sign up at the top right-hand corner of this page.

This work is part of the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan which includes 11 initiatives designed to increase local housing supply.

The five initiatives aimed at expanding citywide housing options include:

  1. Enable high-density housing development within the City Centre.

  1. Enable mid- and high-rise development along urban corridors and main transit routes.

  1. Advance the development of missing middle housing in central neighbourhoods.

  1. Support the provision of greater housing diversity in established neighbourhoods.

  1. Reduce Council approval for housing related Discretionary Use applications.

The City is advancing these initiatives over the next six months in three phases as follows:

Phase 1 (Q1 2024):

  • Permit additional dwelling units per lot in low density residential zones.

  • Increase permitted heights in mid- and high-density zones.

  • Remove parking requirements to support additional housing development.

Phase 2 (anticipated Q2 2024):

  • Confirm main transit routes.

  • Increase permitted heights within 200m of main transit routes.

  • Review and amend Official Community Plan and Area Plans to align with HAF initiatives and Council direction.

Phase 3 (anticipated Q2/Q3 2024):

  • Review development standards to support delivery of additional housing options.

  • Increase permitted heights within 800m of main transit routes.

  • Revise discretionary use process.

The City is reviewing and updating our planning policies and zoning regulations to remove barriers to housing development and enable the delivery of housing options that meet the needs of our growing city. To keep informed of our progress, please sign up at the top right-hand corner of this page.

This work is part of the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan which includes 11 initiatives designed to increase local housing supply.

The five initiatives aimed at expanding citywide housing options include:

  1. Enable high-density housing development within the City Centre.

  1. Enable mid- and high-rise development along urban corridors and main transit routes.

  1. Advance the development of missing middle housing in central neighbourhoods.

  1. Support the provision of greater housing diversity in established neighbourhoods.

  1. Reduce Council approval for housing related Discretionary Use applications.

The City is advancing these initiatives over the next six months in three phases as follows:

Phase 1 (Q1 2024):

  • Permit additional dwelling units per lot in low density residential zones.

  • Increase permitted heights in mid- and high-density zones.

  • Remove parking requirements to support additional housing development.

Phase 2 (anticipated Q2 2024):

  • Confirm main transit routes.

  • Increase permitted heights within 200m of main transit routes.

  • Review and amend Official Community Plan and Area Plans to align with HAF initiatives and Council direction.

Phase 3 (anticipated Q2/Q3 2024):

  • Review development standards to support delivery of additional housing options.

  • Increase permitted heights within 800m of main transit routes.

  • Revise discretionary use process.

  • Phase 2, part 1 Bylaw Amendments to be read by City Council

    On April 10, 2024, Regina City Council approved the second set of amendments to The Regina Zoning Bylaw, 2019 and the Official Community Plan to support implementation of the HAF planning initiatives and advance the direction of Council. These included:

    Official Community Plan Amendments

    • Introduce Primary Intensification Areas within 200 metres of main transit routes, where multi-unit residential or mixed-use developments with up to 20 metres of building height will be permitted
    • Align existing definitions, policies and maps in Part A of the Official Community Plan with the City’s other strategic documents for defining main transit routes (e.g. Regina Transit Master Plan).

    Zoning Bylaw Amendments

    • Introduce overarching zoning provisions within the Primary Intensification Areas to permit multi-unit residential or mixed-use development with up to 20 metres of building height
    • Reduce the Wascana Height Overlay Zone to only the portions of Albert Street, Broad Street, Hillsdale Street and 23rd Avenue immediately adjacent to Wascana Centre and amend the discretionary use provisions to apply to development over 20 metres in height.


    Regina City Council will hold a public hearing in relation to the proposed bylaws on Wednesday April 24, 2024. Please see the public notice for additional information.

  • Phase 2 for Planning Commission Consideration

    The Regina Planning Commission will be considering the next phase of amendments to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw on Tuesday March 26, 2024 as part of the Expanding Citywide Housing Options project. The report outlining the recommended amendments, which include permitting 6-storey multi-unit dwellings to be built within 200 meters of main transit routes and eliminating the Wascana Centre Overlay, can be found here.

  • Phase 1 amendments approved

    On January 31, 2024, Regina City Council approved the first set of amendments to The Regina Zoning Bylaw, 2019 to support implementation of the HAF planning initiatives and advance the direction of Council. These included:

    • Permitting up to four units to be built on residential lots within the City’s intensification boundary.

    • Permitting up to two units, including two principal units, to be built on residential lots outside the City’s intensification boundary.

    • Increasing permitted height limits in mid- and high-density residential and mixed-use zones.

    • Changing citywide parking minimums from “required” to “recommended”.

  • Council approves Accelerating Housing Motion

    In November 2023, Council approved the Accelerating Housing motion directing Administration to amend the City’s HAF application and prepare necessary bylaw amendments to permit additional housing units to be developed in all neighbourhoods and increase density in proximity to transit. At that time, Council indicated a desire to advance this direction to support housing development for the 2024 development season.

  • HAF Action Plan approved

    In June 2023, Council approved the City’s application to the HAF including an Action Plan with 11 initiatives designed to increase the local housing supply and enhance certainty in the approvals and building process. Five of the 11 initiatives relate to adjustments and amendments to planning policies and regulations. The goal is to remove barriers to housing development and support the provision of diverse housing options in all areas of the city.

Page last updated: 19 Apr 2024, 04:04 PM