--- title: "Zoning and pre-development glossary" description: "Definitions of zoning, feasibility, and pre-development terms used across the Bucky platform and documentation." last_updated: '2026-10-07' --- # Glossary Definitions for site screening and pre-development in Canada and the United States. Local legislation and bylaws determine how each term applies to an address. ## Pre-development Everything that happens before construction starts: site exploration, zoning checks, design intent, budgeting, and professional matching. ## Zoning Municipal rules that define what can be built on a parcel — permitted uses, height, setbacks, density (FAR/FSR), and parking. ## Feasibility Whether a proposed project can likely comply with zoning and site constraints, often summarized in a feasibility report or score. ## Setback Minimum distance a structure must be set back from property lines or rights-of-way. ## FAR / FSR Floor area ratio (or floor space ratio) is counted floor area divided by site area. The local bylaw defines the floor area included, exclusions and applicable maximum. ## ADU Accessory dwelling unit — a secondary residential unit on the same lot as a primary home (laneway house, basement suite, etc.). ## Buildable envelope The three-dimensional volume within which a structure may be placed given setbacks, height limits, and coverage rules. ## Parcel A defined land lot with a legal boundary, often identified by a municipal lot number or PIN. ## Geo-division A Bucky municipal boundary used to attach zoning data, feasibility tools, and local regulations to a site. ## Design marketplace Bucky's catalogue of build-ready residential designs that homeowners can browse, save, and connect to professionals. ## Minor variance In Ontario, a minor variance is permission from a committee of adjustment to depart from a specific zoning bylaw requirement, such as a setback. Under section 45(1) of the Planning Act, the committee must find that the variance is minor, is desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land, and maintains the general intent and purpose of the zoning bylaw and the official plan; the variance does not amend the bylaw. Since 2025, on a parcel of urban residential land outside the Greenbelt, a minimum setback is deemed to be 90% of the bylaw figure (with some exclusions), so a shortfall of up to 10% needs no variance. Official sources: [Planning Act, ss. 34(1.4), 45 (Ontario e-Laws)](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90p13) ## Committee of Adjustment In Ontario, a committee of adjustment is a body of at least three people appointed by municipal council under the Planning Act. It decides minor variance applications and, where council has given it the authority, consent (severance) applications. Its decision applies to the property and conditions in the application and does not change the zoning bylaw for other properties. In Toronto, most appeals of its decisions go to the Toronto Local Appeal Body rather than the Ontario Land Tribunal. Official sources: [Planning Act, ss. 44–45 (Ontario e-Laws)](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90p13) · [City of Toronto: About the Committee of Adjustment](https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/committee-of-adjustment/about-the-committee-of-adjustment-and-rules-of-procedure/) ## Development charges Charges a municipality imposes on new development to pay for the increased capital costs of services needed for growth, such as water, wastewater, roads and transit. In Ontario, a municipal development charge by-law sets them under the Development Charges Act, 1997, which also provides exemptions and discounts, for example for some affordable, non-profit and rental housing. Since November 2025, Ontario residential development charges are generally due at occupancy rather than at building permit issuance; check the local by-law for current rates and timing. Official sources: [Development Charges Act, 1997 (Ontario e-Laws)](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/97d27) · [Ontario: Municipal development-related charges](https://www.ontario.ca/page/municipal-development-and-community-benefits-charges-and-parklands) ## Garden suite In Toronto, a garden suite is a self-contained dwelling in an ancillary building, usually in the rear yard, that does not abut a public lane; a suite on a lane is a laneway suite. Chapter 150.7 of Zoning By-law 569-2013 sets the requirements. Ontario's Planning Act uses the term differently: a portable one-unit structure that council may permit through a temporary use by-law for up to 20 years. Official sources: [City of Toronto: Garden suites](https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/garden-suites/) · [Planning Act, s. 39.1 (Ontario e-Laws)](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90p13) ## Highest and best use An appraisal concept: the reasonably probable use of a property that is physically possible, legally permissible, financially feasible and results in the highest value. Zoning answers only the legal test, so a zoning permission alone does not establish highest and best use or market value. Official sources: [Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (2016), s. 1.4.5 (US Department of Justice)](https://www.justice.gov/enrd/media/875336/dl) ## Additional residential unit In Ontario, a second or third dwelling unit on a lot with a detached house, semi-detached house or rowhouse. On a parcel of urban residential land (in a settlement area and served by municipal water and sewage services), the Planning Act stops zoning bylaws from prohibiting up to three units: three in the house, or two in the house and one in an ancillary building. Bylaws also cannot set a minimum unit size or require more than one parking space per additional unit, but setbacks, height and other remaining zoning standards, the Building Code and permits still apply. Official sources: [Planning Act, s. 35.1 (Ontario e-Laws)](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90p13) · [O. Reg. 299/19: Additional residential units](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/190299)