# Front yard setback

By [Brandon Donnelly](https://brandondonnelly.com) · 2024-03-03

development, expanding-housing-options-in-neighbourhoods, gentle-density, housing, missing-middle, planning, small-scale-apartments, toronto-city-planning, toronto-neighourhoods, toronto-urbanism

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Following [yesterday's post](https://brandondonnelly.com/2024/03/02/toronto-wants-small-scale-apartments-on-its-major-streets/) on small-scale apartments, a number of people commented on the 6m front yard setback that was shown on the city's drawings and that I mentioned in my post. Well, it turns out that I wasn't entirely correct about the 6m. What is proposed in the draft zoning by-law is [the following](https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-239320.pdf):

> _The modelling has illustrated building setbacks that are appropriate for townhouse developments and small-scale apartment buildings on major streets in a Neighbourhoods context. Based on the review, Urban Design staff recommend that the front yard setback be implemented through use of_ **_the average of the existing neighbouring setbacks, or a minimum of 3 meters, whichever is greater_**_. This approach maintains consistency with the existing character of the Neighbourhoods supports protection of existing mature trees._

As you might expect, the approach with these small-scale apartments is to be mindful of the existing low-rise context. But as many of you rightly pointed out when you saw the 6m, the existing context may not be appropriate or ideal for the _planned_ context, especially if there's retail at grade.

This is just one of the many details that we'll need to be careful with as this initiative moves forward.

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*Originally published on [Brandon Donnelly](https://brandondonnelly.com/front-yard-setback)*