Council is considering amending the Envision St. John's Development Regulations to allow accessory buildings in front of the building line in rural zones at Council’s discretion, allow taller accessory buildings in rural zones, and increase the maximum permitted height for backyard suites in rural residential zones.

The proposed amendment has three parts:

1. Change the accessory building location requirements to allow accessory buildings in a front yard and in front of the building line, at Council’s discretion. This change would only apply to the Rural Residential (RR), Rural Residential Infill (RRI), Rural (RUR), Agriculture (AG), Forestry (F), Mineral Working (MW), Watershed (W), Open Space (O), and Open Space Reserve (OR) Zones.

2. Increase the maximum height for both residential and non-residential accessory buildings to up to 5 metres or the height of the main building on the lot, whichever height is greater. This change would only apply to the Rural Residential (RR), Rural Residential Infill (RRI), Rural (RUR), Agriculture (AG), Forestry (F), Mineral Working (MW), Watershed (W), Open Space (O), and Open Space Reserve (OR) Zones.

3. Increase the maximum height for a backyard suite in the rural residential areas to up to 5 metres or the height of the main building on the lot. This change would only apply to the Rural Residential (RR) and Rural Residential Infill (RRI) Zones.

The proposed amendment is intended to allow more flexible development of accessory buildings and backyard suites in Rural Zones, recognizing that many rural properties are on large, deep lots with plenty of trees, where a taller accessory building would not intrude on surrounding properties, and an accessory building could be placed in front of a house without obstructing the front of the property.

Review the materials on this page, including the proposed amendment, and ask a question or provide your feedback when the public comment period is open.

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