ALTA Zoning Reports & Verification Letters in Canada
Zoning due diligence for any Canada property, plus a city-by-city guide to how Canada's major cities issue zoning verification letters.
Scott Friedman
Have a property in Canada, a rush order or a portfolio? Scott can scope the right report and get a certified planner started right away.
Zoning verification letters in Canada's major cities
Every city handles zoning letters differently. Here's what each one publishes, so you know what to expect, or can hand it off to us.
| City | Document | How to request | Fee | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal, Quebec | Borough letter or certificate of conformity; varies by borough | Contact the borough permit counter | Set by each borough. Example: Lachine's 2026 fee by-law (RCA26-19001) charges CA$55.00 for a certificate of zoning conformity for tourist accommodation or liquor permits, and CA$550.00 for a letter confirming a building's conformity with urban planning rules that requires acquired-rights research | Not published |
| Toronto, Ontario | Property Information Report (property compliance letter) | Email application with fee | CA$214.79 per request (effective January 1, 2026) | About five business days |
| Vancouver, British Columbia | Property research letter (comfort letter); approved use letter | Request through the city | Not published on the request page | Not published |
Checked against official sources in October 2026. Select a city for step-by-step instructions and contacts.
Canada city zoning guides
How to get a zoning letter, who to contact, and how each city zones its land.
Fun fact: Toronto still checks some lots against zoning by-laws of cities that no longer exist
When the City of Toronto amalgamated in 1998, each former municipality kept its own zoning by-law. City Council enacted city-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013 on May 9, 2013 to harmonize many of those rules, and appeals had to go to the Ontario Municipal Board by June 4, 2013.
The harmonization is still not complete. Properties shown in grey on the city's zoning map remain subject to a former municipal zoning by-law, and some 2013 regulations are still under appeal at the Ontario Land Tribunal (case PL130592 / OLT-22-002465), so a Toronto zoning check can mean reading two by-laws, not one.
What our Canada zoning reports cover
A city letter usually confirms the zoning district. A ZoningWorx report goes further, prepared by certified planners, ALTA 3.0 and 3.1 compliant, and certified to your lender, title company and counsel.
Order a Canada report- Current zoning classification
- Permitted and conditional uses
- Setback, height and density requirements
- Parking requirements
- Nonconforming status and right to rebuild
- Applicable code sections and zoning map
- Conformance with current regulations
Skip the city queue
Zoning reports in as little as 24–48 hours.
Send us the address. A certified planner handles the municipal research and report, and it arrives certified to the parties you name.
Canada zoning questions
Do Canada cities all issue zoning verification letters the same way?
No. Each city sets its own process. Published fees we found range from $55 in Montreal, Quebec to $214.79 in Toronto, Ontario.
Is a city zoning verification letter enough for my lender?
Sometimes. A city letter usually confirms the zoning classification only. Many lenders and title companies need an ALTA 3.0 or 3.1 compliant report that also covers permitted uses, setbacks, height, parking and nonconforming status, certified to the parties on the deal.
What is Euclidean zoning?
It's the most common type of zoning in the U.S.: land is divided into use districts such as residential, commercial and industrial. It takes its name from the 1926 Supreme Court case Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co., which began in Euclid, Ohio.
Do you cover Canada cities and counties not listed here?
Yes. ZoningWorx prepares zoning reports for any property in Canada, including smaller cities, towns, townships and unincorporated county areas.
Sources
- City of Toronto: Zoning By-law 569-2013
- Wood Bull LLP: City of Toronto enacts new harmonized Zoning By-law 569-2013
- City of Montreal: Occupancy permits (commercial, industrial or professional activity)
- City of Toronto: Property Information Report
- City of Vancouver: Request property research and copies of permits