Originally part of the Global Practice Guide by Chambers and Partners, this section on Real Estate: Zoning and Land Use in Canada - Ontario has been republished with permission.

The Canadian chapter of the Chambers Real Estate: Zoning and Land Use 2026 Guide provides a practical overview of the jurisdiction’s planning and zoning framework, with a focus on the issues that most often determine outcomes. It covers the sources of zoning and planning authority, approval processes, appeal rights and enforcement, alongside the latest key developments in expropriation law that directly impact land use decisions.

Drawing on recent case law and policy trends, the guide offers insight into how tribunals and courts are applying long-standing principles to modern development pressures, from housing intensification and major infrastructure projects to compensation, business losses, and relocation challenges.

Whether you’re advancing a development, responding to regulatory constraints, or navigating a compulsory taking, this guide is designed to help you make informed, strategic decisions.

Gowling WLG lawyers Michael Polowin, John Doherty, Jacob Polowin, and Jonathan Minnes are contributing authors for the sections on “Law and Practice” and “Trends and Developments” for the Canada – Ontario Jurisdiction.