AA Data · Methodology and sources
Written rules, not guesses. Every source named.
How a by-law becomes a record, how the result is checked, and which layers go into delivered data under each publisher’s licence.
Method
From by-law PDF to one record per lot.
01
Write the by-law as rules
Each standard, special provision and provincial override is encoded with its clause number, page and the by-law text as printed.
02
Run every lot
The rules run on every parcel in the city: what is permitted, the building that fits inside the yards, and what limits it. A city re-runs in about a minute.
03
Say what was not read
A lot whose exception, zone or by-law is not yet read carries that status and no guessed figure.
04
Keep every snapshot
Each run is stored with its source dates and rule-pack version, so an answer can be reproduced as of the day it was given.
Checks
How the figures are tested.
- Measured frontage is within 5% of Windsor’s surveyed figure on 96% of lots.
- Each city’s results are checked against independent hand readings of sample lots.
- Figures are never added across statuses or blended across CMHC survey zones.
Sources · Barrie
Which layers go into delivered data.
A layer is delivered only when its publisher’s licence allows commercial use. A layer with no stated licence is withheld until terms are confirmed in writing, and the record names the fields it leaves out.
Licence: Open Government Licence – City of Barrie. Attribution carried on every delivery: “Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Barrie.”
| Layer | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| parcels | Delivered | |
| zoning | Delivered | |
| addresses | Delivered | |
| streets | Delivered | |
| buildings | Delivered | |
| wards | Delivered | |
| dev_applications | Delivered | |
| permits | Delivered | |
| two_unit_houses | Delivered | |
| heritage | Delivered | |
| op_land_use | Delivered | |
| mtsa | Delivered | |
| built_up_area | Delivered | |
| urban_growth_centre | Delivered | |
| transit_stops | Delivered | |
| parks | Delivered | |
| natural_heritage | Delivered | |
| sanitary_pipes | Delivered | |
| sanitary_pumping_stations | Delivered | |
| water_mains | Delivered | |
| water_facilities | Delivered | |
| sanitary_catchments | Withheld | No licence stated by the publisher; internal use only until terms are confirmed in writing. |
| pressure_zones | Withheld | No licence stated by the publisher; internal use only until terms are confirmed in writing. |
| nvca_floodplain | Withheld | No licence stated by the publisher; internal use only until terms are confirmed in writing. |
| nvca_regulation | Withheld | No licence stated by the publisher; internal use only until terms are confirmed in writing. |
| lsrca_floodplain | Withheld | No licence stated by the publisher; internal use only until terms are confirmed in writing. |
| lsrca_regulation | Withheld | No licence stated by the publisher; internal use only until terms are confirmed in writing. |
| minor_variances | Withheld | No licence stated by the publisher; internal use only until terms are confirmed in writing. |
| zoning_draft3 | Excluded | City of Barrie copyright; the City marks its Draft 3 map not for publication. |
- withheld: servicing
- From sanitary_catchments, pressure_zones.
- withheld: supply
- From sanitary_catchments (serviced area) and the City's quarterly planning report.
- withheld: variances
- From minor_variances.
Other cities
Runs first, delivery once terms are recorded.
London, Windsor and Oshawa are run in full and shown on the coverage page. Each joins the API once its publishers’ terms are recorded the same way as Barrie’s.