Zoning · Vaughan · Open space

OS1 zone, Vaughan: Public Open Space Zone (OS1)

Part 12, Section 12.2, Table 12-2 and Table 12-3 of the City of Vaughan Zoning By-law 001-2021.

A public open space zone for parks, recreation, conservation and similar community uses; new houses are not permitted, and any building must be low (max 11 m) with small coverage and generous setbacks.

Is a property in the OS1 zone? Enter its address and the lookup returns the zone and these standards, including any site-specific exception.

Check an address

What the OS1 zone permits

  • Agriculture (only if legally existing on the lot on the effective date of the By-law)
  • Active recreational use
  • Cemetery (subject to specific use provisions in Part 5)
  • Community garden (subject to specific use provisions in Part 5)
  • Conservation use
  • Park
  • Passive recreational use
  • Decommissioning activities (former landfill)
  • Stormwater management facility

Standards

RequirementBy-law
Minimum lot area (interior lot)No requirement
Minimum lot width (interior lot)12 m12 m; Table 12-3 note 1: no minimum lot frontage required in an OS Zone where the principal use is a passive recreation use or any other use operated by a public authority
Minimum front yard9 m
Minimum interior side yard4.5 m4.5 m; Table 12-3 note 2: 15.0 m where the lot is within the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan area (Schedule A)
Minimum exterior side yard4.5 m
Minimum rear yard15 m
Maximum building height11 m
Maximum lot coverage10 %10%; Table 12-3 note 3: 5% where the lot is subject to the Oak Ridges Moraine Suffix Zone (-ORM), Schedule A

Other provisions in this section

  • Single detached dwellings are not permitted in OS1 (Table 12-2).
  • Agriculture is permitted only where legally existing and used on the lot on the effective date of the By-law ('E', s.2.5.1).
  • Cemetery and community garden uses are subject to the specific use provisions of Part 5 (Table 12-2 note 1).
  • No accessory uses listed in Table 12-2 (accessory agriculture dwelling, agri-tourism, bed and breakfast, home industry, home occupation, intermodal container, seasonal farm stand, secondary suite, short-term rental) are permitted in OS1.
  • No minimum lot frontage where the principal use is a passive recreation use or any use operated by a public authority (Table 12-3 note 1).
  • Minimum interior side yard is 15.0 m where the lot is within the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan area (Table 12-3 note 2).
  • Maximum lot coverage is 5% where the lot is subject to the -ORM suffix zone (Table 12-3 note 3).
  • Minimum lot area in Table 12-3 is stated in hectares; OS1 shows '-' (no requirement).

Source: Part 12, Section 12.2, Table 12-2 and Table 12-3, By-law 001-2021 (City of Vaughan), checked 2026-09-12. General provisions elsewhere in the by-law (parking, driveways, accessory buildings) also apply, and a numbered exception on the parcel can change any value here. Treat this as a pre-check, not a sign-off.

Other open space zones in Vaughan: OS2