168 John St
168 John St is in Kensington-Chinatown, in a registered apartment building built in 1979 with 180 units. It's outside TRCA flood hazard areas and there are 5 planning applications nearby (four under review, one approved).
Data as of Nov 8, 2026 · Every item lists its source
- This building scored 94 out of 100 when last evaluated (Jul 29, 2025). That's higher than 59% of evaluated buildings in Toronto.
- No fire code violations in open inspections.
- 5 building permits in the last 5 years.
- It is in a Heritage Conservation District (Queen Street West) (Part V).
- Outside TRCA flood hazard areas.
- 5 planning applications within 250 m: four under review, one approved.
01The building
RentSafe is the City's inspection program for apartment buildings with 3+ storeys and 10+ units. This building scored 94 out of 100 when last evaluated (Jul 29, 2025). That's higher than 59% of evaluated buildings in Toronto.
5 building permits in the last 5 years, for 4 projects. 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 is in a Heritage Conservation District (Queen Street West) (Part V). Exterior changes and demolition may need a heritage permit.
Permit history: 12 projects from 20 permits
- Building work · permit issued · issued Sep 8, 2026
Proposal for solar panel installation on the roof. · Permit 26 198499 - Alternative Solution · under review · issued Jul 8, 2026
This Alternative Solution addresses the seismic design of a ballasted (unattached) rooftop photovoltaic array,TerraGen's TGR flat-roof racking system, at 168 John Street, Toronto. The array resists… · Permit 26 198530 - Addition(s) · completed Dec 4, 2025
Proposal for adding curb ramp at the entrance · Permit 25 233328 - Interior Alterations · inspection · issued Feb 21, 2023
Proposal for interior alterations for optical store. · 3 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 22 239652 - Sign Building Permit Related · completed Feb 10, 2020
To erect and display one illuminated wall sign.****HOLY COW STEAKHOUSE**** · Permit 19 245047 - Re-Roofing/Re-Cladding · revocation pending · issued Oct 18, 2018
Proposed re-cladding of existing storefront and interior alterations to existing convenience store. Convenience address is 252 Queen St W · Permit 18 204263 - Interior Alterations · revision issued · issued Jun 28, 2018
REVISION: new plumbing diagram added for connection to existing sumps, underpinning added under elevator pitConstruct interior alterations (14.72m2) and install cargo elevator with no specific… · 4 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 18 141945 - Sign Building Permit Related · completed Apr 22, 2021
To erect and display one illuminated wall sign.**SOLUTIONS** · Permit 17 246235 - Building work · completed May 15, 2019
Proposal to repair 198 balconies and guards of existing apartment building. · Permit 17 170695 - Alter: Boiler/Furnace/AC Replacement · inspection · issued Apr 14, 2016
Boiler Plant Retrofit · Permit 16 131060 - Building work · completed Jan 6, 2017
Replacement of two existing MUA with new more efficeient Make-up Air Unit on roof · Permit 15 243840 - Sign · completed Jul 14, 2026
This is for the attachment of four (4) canopy structures for signage purposes. This is for a temporary sales office for "PICASSO ON RICHMOND".. · Permit 12 106021
02Risks and the ground
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 M5T, 0 of 85 home tap-water samples (0%) tested above Ontario's limit for lead (10 micrograms per litre). Across Toronto, 2.0% of samples did, so M5T is lower than the city overall. Health Canada recommends a stricter limit of 5 micrograms per litre: 1 samples here (1.2%) 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. Buildings with more than six units don't have lead service pipes.
TRCA mapping is for screening, not site-specific decisions. Lead results are voluntary samples from homes in the postal area, not this address.
03What’s changing nearby
5 active planning applications within 250 m (about a 3-minute walk): four under review, one approved. That's more than at most Toronto addresses (the typical address has 1).
- 150 Stephanie St · 123 m awayOfficial Plan / Rezoning: a request to change the Official Plan or zoning so something new can be built
City planners are reviewing it. Residents can comment before a decision is made.
Combined Official Plan & Zoning By-law Amendment for an 11-storey purpose-built rental residential building atop a 3-storey podium. The proposed development contains a total gross floor area of 11,198 square metres, with a total number of…File 25 262812 STE 10 OZ · submitted Dec 5, 2025 · City record - 2234 Simcoe St · 206 m awayCondominium: a request to divide a building into condominium units
It has been approved.
Standard Draft Plan of Condominium for 17 non-residential units.File 24 135230 STE 10 CD · submitted Apr 11, 2024 · City record - 3206 Simcoe St · 227 m awayOfficial Plan / Rezoning: a request to change the Official Plan or zoning so something new can be built
City planners are reviewing it. Residents can comment before a decision is made.
Proposed development for the Canada Life Campus include: Retention of the existing office buildings with minor alterations at 330 University Avenue, 180 Simcoe Street, and 180 Queen Street West. Demolition of the office building and…File 26 221979 STE 10 OZ · submitted Aug 18, 2026 · City record - 417 St Patrick St · 232 m awayOfficial Plan / Rezoning: a request to change the Official Plan or zoning so something new can be built
City planners are reviewing it. Residents can comment before a decision is made.
Proposed development for the Canada Life Campus include: Retention of the existing office buildings with minor alterations at 330 University Avenue, 180 Simcoe Street, and 180 Queen Street West. Demolition of the office building and…File 26 221979 STE 10 OZ · submitted Aug 18, 2026 · City record - 5190 Simcoe St · 249 m awayOfficial Plan / Rezoning: a request to change the Official Plan or zoning so something new can be built
City planners are reviewing it. Residents can comment before a decision is made.
Proposed development for the Canada Life Campus include: Retention of the existing office buildings with minor alterations at 330 University Avenue, 180 Simcoe Street, and 180 Queen Street West. Demolition of the office building and…File 26 221979 STE 10 OZ · submitted Aug 18, 2026 · City record
14 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.
04City 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 168 John St
Is 168 John 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.
Does 168 John St have open fire code violations?
No. The City's fire inspection records show no violations in open inspections. Source: Residential Fire Inspection Results.
What is being built near 168 John St?
There are 5 active planning applications within 250 metres (four under review, one approved). The closest is at 50 Stephanie St, 123 m away. Source: Development Applications; Committee of Adjustment Applications.
Has 168 John St been renovated?
Yes. The City has 20 building permits on record, 5 in the last 5 years. Source: Building Permits.
Is 168 John St a heritage property?
Yes. It is in a Heritage Conservation District (Queen Street West) (Part V). Exterior changes and demolition may need a heritage permit. Source: Heritage Register.
When is garbage day at 168 John 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