What Is a Minor Variance? Ontario Zoning Relief and the Custom Homes Behind It
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A minor variance is permission from an Ontario Committee of Adjustment to depart slightly from the zoning on a property, for example a little more height, a smaller side yard or more lot coverage, without changing the zoning itself. Most are for houses, and a variance for a new house is one of the earliest public signs of a custom home. Builtie lists them in its Coming up tab: 946 minor variances for a new residential building were on Toronto's active list on October 24, 2026.
The same four steps, whether the buyer is a builder, a designer, an owner or a company you want to acquire.
What counts as minor
Ontario's Planning Act sets four tests: the variance is minor, it is desirable for the appropriate use of the land, and it keeps the general intent of both the zoning by-law and the Official Plan. Typical requests are a few extra feet of height, a reduced setback, more floor area or a larger garage. A neighbour can object at the hearing, and a decision can be appealed.
Why it matters for a trade
A new-house variance names the street address of a custom build before any permit, and the builder is often a small firm whose owner buys every trade. For framing, foundations, windows and roofing the window opens early: on Builtie's windows framing is bought at 0% to 20% of the build and roofing at 10% to 30%.
A real example from Builtie's data
On October 24, 2026 Toronto's active list held 946 minor variances for a new residential building, 25 for a new non-residential building and 528 for additions to a house. Builtie's Coming up tab shows the new-building files with no permit yet; it never prints the applicant, who is usually the homeowner.
Where it applies
Minor variances are an Ontario tool; US cities call the same relief a variance, decided by a board of zoning appeals. Builtie reads them for Toronto, and new-house variances from Brampton and Markham.
Source. City of Toronto open data held in Builtie (development applications, Committee of Adjustment), read October 24, 2026.
The definition says what the term is first and why it matters to a trade second; counts are dated and come from Builtie's own records, never from an estimate of the whole market.
More terms: the construction glossary.
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Builtie's deepest coverage is in the Greater Toronto Area, where it started; depth in any city depends on what that municipality publishes. Ask for live sample projects in your own service area before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a minor variance take in Toronto?
Usually a few months from filing to the hearing, longer if it is appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal. A new house with an approved variance then applies for its building permit.
Is a minor variance a building permit?
No. It only grants relief from the zoning. The building permit is a separate application that follows.
What does Builtie cost?
Starter is $79 per seat per month for 20 projects; Growth is $99 for 50 projects and adds LinkedIn and email outreach. There is a 7-day free trial with 10 projects.