Toronto will introduce a new set of bylaws for its nightlife industry in 2025, according to a report from CityNews Toronto.
Taking effect on January 1, the new regulations arrive in an effort to spread nightlife venues from their current concentration in the downtown King Street West neighborhood to other locations throughout the city, according to politicians.
The new bylaws include the renaming of business license categories and an increase in the maximum number of areas venues are allowed to utilize for entertainment. However, the bylaws also require that all nightclubs be housed in non-residential buildings, where they can only occupy the first floor or basement. New venues must also be the only nightlife venue in their building.
The new bylaws stem from an extensive review of licensing and zoning codes for Toronto’s nightclubs and bars. Toronto City Hall began the review process in 2018, consulting residents and industry stakeholders in a series of consultation sessions over four years.
Following the consultations, in December 2023, the city council amended its Night Economy Review to allow nightclubs to be opened in any commercially zoned area in the city as a precursor to the new bylaws.
Earlier this year, the City of Montreal also backed its nightlife industry by approving the creation of a 24-hour nightlife district in the city.
Outside of Canada, other city governments have recently changed zoning codes in support of nightlife businesses, including New York City, which removed early 1960s-era zoning codes that prohibited dancing in many bars and restaurants in June of this year.
Featured image from Unsplash.com.
