Official Plan and Zoning

Step 1 - Pre-consultation

Step 2 - Completing your application 

When submitting your application you must include the exact nature and details of the amendment you are seeking. Sometimes receiving professional planning and/or legal advice before submitting your application is helpful.

Please ensure that your application is complete with all of the appropriate signatures, required fees and any associated plans or documents as identified in your pre-consultation. Incomplete, incorrect, or inaccurate applications will not be accepted or processed until all the required information is provided. Your completed application can be submitted to the Planning Department. 

Step 3 - Processing the application

Notice of Application:

Your application will be reviewed by Planning Staff and if considered complete a notice of ‘Complete Application and Public Meeting’ will be sent to:

• you, the applicant;
• any prescribed person or public body, as required by the Ontario Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13, as amended, including all property owners within a 120 meter radius of the land identified in your application;
• members of the Planning Advisory Committee; and
• anyone who has requested notice.

Your application will also be circulated to other City Departments and relevant local agencies for review and comment.

A notice sign must be posted on the lands identified in the application that notifies the public on your application. The City will provide the notice sign, but it is your responsiblity to post the sign on the subject lands. 

Public Meeting/Consultation:

City staff will prepare an introductory report that will go to the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) for their consideration at a public meeting.

The public meeting provides an opportunity for interested parties to speak in favour or against your proposal. You may have to answer questions at the meeting to support your proposal. Written submissions will also be accepted. 

Analysis and Approval Process:

Staff will analyze both public and agency verbal and written comments and you may be asked to respond to the comments (your response will become part of the public record). During the analysis period you may amend your application. If significant changes are made, your application may require a second public meeting.

Planning Staff will prepare a recommendation reports for the Planning Advisory Committees (PAC) consideration. PAC will make a further recommendation to City Council whether or not to approve the application. City Council will then approve or deny the application. If approved the an amending bylaw will be prepared and passed by City Council.

Step 4 - Appeal Period

Once your application is approved or denied by Council, a ‘Notice of Decision’ will be sent out to you and/or your agent and any interested parties. There is a 20 day appeal period during which time anyone who has made a verbal or written submission prior to the passing of the by-law or the applicant may file a notice of appeal, accompanied with the required information and the appeal fee through the City Clerk. If no appeals were filed in the 20 day appeal period and a by-law had been passed, the by-law will take effect immediately.

If an appeal is filed within the 20 day appeal period, the appeal will be forwarded to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) for processing. For more information on the appeal process through the OLT please visit the OLT website at https://olt.gov.on.ca/appeals-process/ .