A series of Zr,S co-doped $TiO_2$ were synthesized by a modified sol-gel method and characterized by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques. The presence of sulfur caused a red-shift in the absorption band of $TiO_2$. Co-doping of sulfur and zirconium (Zr-$TiO_2$-S) improves the surface properties such as surface area, pore volume, and pore diameter and also enhances the thermal stability of the anatase phase. The Zr-$TiO_2$-S systems are very effective visible-light active catalysts for the degradation of toluene. All reactions follow pseudo firstorder kinetics with the decomposition rate reaching as high as 77% within 4 h. The catalytic activity decreases in the following order: Zr-$TiO_2$-S >$TiO_2$-S >Zr-$TiO_2$>$TiO_2$$approx$ P-25, demonstrating the synergic effect of codoping with zirconium and sulfur. When the comparison is made within the series of Zr-$TiO_2$-S, the catalytic performance is found to be a function of Zr-contents as follows: 3 wt % Zr-TiO2-S >0.5 wt % Zr-$TiO_2$-S> 5 wt % Zr-$TiO_2$-S >1 wt % Zr-$TiO_2$-S. Higher calcination temperature decreases the reactivity of Zr-$TiO_2$-S.