The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) application outlines an initiative aimed at removing barriers to the development of Supportive Housing, including Residential Care Homes. The intention is to develop a streamlined approach for Residential Care Homes. 

Detailed FAQ - Residential Care Homes

What is happening?

The Zoning Bylaw, which regulates the use of properties in Saskatoon, is being updated to allow greater flexibility in the development of Residential Care Homes.

Proposed amendments will be brought forward to the Municipal Planning Commision on May 28th and City Council (Public Hearing) on June 26th. 

What are Residential Care Homes?

“Residential Care Home” means a licensed or approved group care home governed by Provincial regulations that provides, in a residential setting, 24-hour care of persons in need of personal services, supervision or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of the individual.

There are three types of Residential Care Homes:

• Residential Care Home Type I allows for five or less residents
• Residential Care Home Type II allows for more than five but no more than 15 residents
• Residential Care Home Type III allows for more than 15 residents

In many cases, a Residential Care Home Type II is a discretionary use which requires Council approval. In some circumstances, a Residential Care Home Type II is pre-designated on a Neighbourhood Concept Plan. This means that the location of a potential Residential Care Home is identified on the Neighbourhood Concept Plan. These are a discretionary use; however, approval of these applications is delegated to Administration. 

• A Neighbourhood Concept Plan (NCP) is a neighborhood-level land use plan that guides the development of a new neighbourhood in Saskatoon. It outlines the land uses, densities, transportation network, parks system, and community facilities intended for a neighbourhood as it grows.

Residential Care Homes are also subject to Provincial licensing requirements. 

What changes are being proposed?

• Residential Care Homes Type II that are pre-designated on an approved Concept Plan will be permitted, having been previously reviewed for site suitability.
• Residential Care Homes Type II that are not pre-designated on an approved Concept Plan will be discretionary and delegated to Administration. 
  • As per the City’s Public Notice Policy, these Residential Care Homes will be circulated to nearby residents for feedback. 
  • Applications would also be considered based on conformance with the Official Community Plan and any other applicable policies and regulations.  
• Expansions to residential care homes will be discretionary and delegated to Administration.
  • As per the City’s Public Notice Policy, these Residential Care Homes will be circulated to nearby residents for feedback. 
  • Applications would also be considered based on conformance with the Official Community Plan and any other applicable policies and regulations.  
• Residential Care Homes Type III will be removed from the Zoning Bylaw as they are institutional in scale, and better align with other forms of Supportive Housing. There are no Residential Care Homes Type III in Saskatoon. 
• The proposed changes do not impact permanent or temporary emergency shelters.

Community Feedback

No comments have been received on the proposed amendments as of May 17, 2024.