Neighbourhood-level infill refers to the development of new housing within existing, established residential areas—often on lots that were previously occupied by a single detached house or are otherwise underutilized. This form of infill typically occurs on a lot-by-lot basis and involves the gradual transformation of low-density neighbourhoods into more diverse, compact, and efficient communities.

Neighbourhood infill helps

• Increase housing choice by introducing a mix of building types (e.g., garden and garage suites or secondary suites, duplexes, fourplexes).
• Use existing infrastructure more efficiently, reducing the need for costly suburban expansion.
• Support nearby schools, businesses, and transit by increasing the number of residents within walkable distances.
• Promote sustainability by making better use of land and reducing dependence on cars.

In Saskatoon, neighbourhood infill is a key strategy to accommodate growth while maintaining the uniqueness and livability of mature communities.

Category 1 vs. Category 2 - Category 1 generally refers to pre-war neighbourhoods predominantly built-out prior to the 1950s and Category 2 reflects standards for those neighbourhoods built-out later. Certain regulations apply to both categories while others apply to only one.

• Category 1 Neighbourhoods (blue): King George, Pleasant Hill, Riversdale, Westmount, Caswell Hill, Nutana, Buena Vista, Haultain, Varsity View, City Park, North Park and Exhibition.

   

• Category 2 Neighbourhoods (pink): Hudson Bay Park, Mayfair, Kelsey-Woodlawn, Richmond Heights, Sutherland, Forest Grove, Greystone Heights, Grosvenor Park, Brevoort Park, Nutana S.C., Eastview, Nutana Park, Adelaide/Churchill, Queen Elizabeth, Avalon, Holiday Park, Montgomery Place, Mount Royal and Meadowgreen.

• 8.5 metres (28 feet)
• In the Corridor Growth Area and on corner sites in the Transit Development Area, the maximum height may be 10m for three and four unit dwellings. This map shows the sites for which the infill regulations apply to three- and four-unit dwellings in yellow, and the sites in which the infill regulations do not apply in purple. In all cases, the infill regulations apply to one-unit, two-unit and semi-detached dwellings.
• For flat-roofed dwellings with less than a 2:12 pitch, the upper floor must be stepped back to reduce bulk.

Yard setback requirements for infill housing are generally consistent with other residential zones, except for the front yard setback, which is more context-sensitive in established neighbourhoods:

• For one-unit, two-unit, semi-detached, and multi-unit dwellings (up to four units), the front yard setback must be within 3 metres of the average setback of the principal buildings on the two adjacent lots. However, it cannot be less than 6 metres.
• If the average front yard setback on the entire block is less than 6 metres, the required setback may be reduced to match the average of the adjacent homes, but it cannot be less than 3 metres.

Section 5.1.19 (3)

• The bottom or sill of an entrance is limited to not more than 1 metre above finished grade facing the front yard in a Category 1 neighbourhood.
  • This regulation does not apply to three- and four-unit dwellings in the Corridor Growth Areas or on corner sites in the Transit Development Area.
• Designed to encourage connection to the street.
• However, this has created construction difficulties, especially on sloped lots or sites with elevated main floors.

(Zoning Bylaw 9990 Section 5.1.19 (1) (2))

Note: Sidewall Area does not apply to three and four unit dwellings in the Corridor Growth Area and on corner sites in the Transit Development Area.

Why These Rules Exist

These rules are designed to:
• Preserve light and privacy for neighbors.
• Prevent homes from feeling too tall or imposing when viewed from the street or next door.
• Encourage thoughtful design and a better fit within established neighbourhoods.

How Big Can the Side Wall Be?

The maximum size of a side wall is determined by:

• Height (how tall the wall can be).
• Length (how long the wall can be along the side of the lot).

To calculate the height, the City uses a 45-degree angle rule:

• Imagine a line that starts 6 metres up from the ground, right at the side property line.
• From that point, a 45-degree line is drawn in toward the house.
• The height of the wall must stay below that angled line—the further the house is from the property line, the taller it can be.

The length of the side wall is based on how deep the lot is:

• For lots 40 metres deep or less, the wall can be up to 14 metres long.
• For larger lots, the wall length is calculated using a formula:
  (Lot depth × 50%) – the front yard setback.

The total allowable side wall area is then calculated by multiplying the height and length of the wall.

Special Rules for Flat-Roofed Homes

Flat-roofed homes follow the same general concept, but with a few differences:

• The height of the wall is still based on the 45-degree angle from 6 metres above the side property line.
• However, the wall height is measured as the average between the highest and lowest points on the wall.
• If a builder wants to make the side wall taller, they must set it farther back from the property line.
• Any part of the wall that goes above the allowed height must be stepped back at least 1.2 metres, and the total building height cannot be more than 8.5 metres.

Gable End Areas

• These can be prominent and add visual bulk.
• Clarifying how they are included in sidewall calculations.
• Council motion to review from May 2022

 “60% rule” applies to Category 2 neighborhoods.
• The rule determines whether a site can be subdivided based on the average frontage of lots on the block.
• Example: If the block average lot width is 15.5m, then a new lot must be at least 9.3m wide (60% of the average)