What We Heard about the Zoning Bylaw Rewrite

The City of Whitehorse has released a What We Heard report for its draft Zoning Bylaw.

The What We Heard report details the public feedback on the draft Zoning Bylaw following a final round of public engagement in the summer of 2025.

The public engagement included six in-person events, a virtual open house and an online survey to get public feedback on the proposed changes to the Zoning Bylaw.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

The Zoning Bylaw governs what kind of development can occur and how property and land can be used within the city. The Zoning Bylaw needs to be updated to align with the Whitehorse 2040 Official Community Plan, which was passed in 2023.

Proposed updates to the Zoning Bylaw would:

• Increase clarity and transparency around development processes.
• Increase flexibility for Kwanlin Dün First Nation to develop its settlement land in ways it desires.
• Introduce new regulations for Short-Term Rental housing and worker housing.
• Incorporate modernized urban design principles (including Winter Cities, FireSmart, pedestrian access).

The goals of the draft Zoning Bylaw include:

• Enabling more housing development;
• Promoting transit use and neighbourhood walkability;
• Supporting local food and urban agriculture;
• Promoting sustainable development; and
• Increasing the efficient use of land within the city.

The proposed Zoning Bylaw will be presented to City Council for consideration this fall.

Review the What We Heard report and draft Zoning Bylaw at engagewhitehorse.ca/zoning-bylaw-rewrite.