161 Shaw St
161 Shaw St is in Trinity-Bellwoods. It added a second suite (such as a basement apartment) in 2025, it's outside TRCA flood hazard areas and there is 1 planning application nearby (approved).
Data as of Nov 8, 2026 · Every item lists its source
- Added a second suite (such as a basement apartment) (completed Jun 2025).
- Outside TRCA flood hazard areas.
- 1 planning application within 250 m: approved.
- Lead in tap-water samples is higher than average in postal area M6J.
03The building
1 building permit in the last 5 years. This includes a second suite (such as a basement apartment), completed Jun 2025. For comparison, about 1 in 10 Toronto addresses had any permit in that time. Permits show work the City approved; they don't show work done without a permit.
It isn't listed or designated on the City's Heritage Register.
Permit history: 3 projects from 5 permits
- Party Wall Admin Permits · completed Sep 15, 2023
Party wall application in reference to application 22 146014 bld 00 sr for the work being done in 163 shaw street. · Permit 22 160078 - Second suite (such as a basement apartment)New home · completed Jun 26, 2025
Proposal for multiple projects to an existing semi dwelling. Scope of work includes interior alterations and create 2nd suite in the basement. See related building permit 13 256240 BLD. · Permit 13 262334 - Underpinning and deck or porch · completed Jun 26, 2025
Proposal to carry out underpinning and finishing of existing basement, construct new basement walkout and construct new ground floor deck in rear yard of existing semi-detached - sfd. · 3 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 13 256240
04Risks and environment
TRCA's maps show this address is outside the areas that could flood from rivers in a major storm (TRCA plans for a storm like Hurricane Hazel in 1954) and outside lake shoreline hazards. Basement flooding from overloaded sewers can still happen anywhere in the city.
In postal area M6J, 19 of 394 home tap-water samples (4.8%) tested above Ontario's limit for lead (10 micrograms per litre). Across Toronto, 2.0% of samples did, so M6J is higher than the city overall. Health Canada recommends a stricter limit of 5 micrograms per litre: 32 samples here (8.1%) were above it. These are voluntary tests, mostly from older homes, so they don't tell you about this house. Lead comes from old pipes and plumbing, not the City's treatment plants. If your home was built before the mid-1950s, you can get a free test kit by calling 311.
TRCA mapping is for screening, not site-specific decisions. Lead results are voluntary samples from homes in the postal area, not this address.
01What’s changing nearby
1 active planning application within 250 m (about a 3-minute walk): approved. That's about typical for Toronto (the typical address has 1).
- 132 Argyle St · 199 m awayCommittee of Adjustment · Minor variance: permission to bend a zoning rule, such as height, size or setbacks
The Committee of Adjustment approved it on Oct 21, 2026.
To alter the existing two-storey semi-detached townhouse dwelling by converting it to a semi-detached houseplex containing two dwelling units, by constructing a front porch with stairs, a front basement walkout, a rear two-storey addition…File A0630/26TEY · submitted Aug 28, 2026
13 homes within 250 m are registered with the City as short-term rentals (stays of less than 28 days, like Airbnb). That's more than at 9 in 10 Toronto addresses.
Development Applications; Committee of Adjustment Applications; Short Term Rentals Registration.
02City services
Next: November 10: garbage, green bin and yard waste. November 17: recycling and green bin. Green bin goes out every week; garbage and recycling alternate.
05Quick answers about 161 Shaw St
Is 161 Shaw St in a flood plain?
No. TRCA maps it outside river flood and lake shoreline hazard areas. Basement flooding from sewers can still happen anywhere. Source: TRCA Regulation mapping 2025.
What is being built near 161 Shaw St?
There is 1 active planning application within 250 metres (approved). The closest is at 32 Argyle St, 199 m away. Source: Development Applications; Committee of Adjustment Applications.
Has 161 Shaw St been renovated?
Yes. The City has 5 building permits on record, 1 in the last 5 years. They include a second suite (such as a basement apartment). Source: Building Permits.
Is 161 Shaw St a heritage property?
No. It isn't listed or designated on the City's Heritage Register. Source: Heritage Register.
When is garbage day at 161 Shaw St?
Collection is on Tuesdays. Green bin goes out every week; garbage and recycling alternate weeks. The next garbage pickup is Nov 10, 2026. Source: Solid Waste Collection Schedule.
Answers are generated from the data on this page and update when the data changes.
06From the archives
Photo locations are matched from each photo’s title against City street and address data, so some may be off. Report a wrong location