Planning Services

The purpose of land use planning is to manage land and resources so that current and future residents have:

A safe and healthy environment to live in;
Access to adequate and affordable housing;
Options to get where they need to go; and,
Spaces to meet, gather, work and play.

Land use planning aims to balance planning for the built environment with protection of our agricultural and natural environment lands.

Planning Services makes recommendations to Council on land use policies that affect the long and short-term development of the community, including zoning by-laws, subdivisions, site plan agreements, heritage issues, as well as many other areas related to the development and land use.

Planning or Committee of Adjustment Applications

For more information on submitting a planning application or application to the committee of adjustment, including information on requesting a pre-consultation meeting, visit the planning application page. Completed forms can be deposited in the dropbox or mailed to the Town.

Planning Process

Planning Process Infographic (pdf)

Frequently Asked Questions

There is a hierarchy of land use planning policies in Niagara:
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The Province sets the ground rules and directions for land use planning through the Planning Act, Places to Grow Act, and Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, and the Provincial Policy Statement. These documents, together with area-specific provincial plans (A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Greenbelt Plan, and Niagara Escarpment Plan), work together to manage growth and protect agricultural land and the natural environment.
The Region identifies land use designations and contains related planning policies at a Regional level, reflective of provincial direction.
The Town is responsible for implementing the provincial and regional land use policy planning framework through the Town Official Plan and Zoning By-law. Town policies are site-specific and can differ based on the location and context of a property.
Review the current Official Plan Schedules to understand which designation(s) apply to the property. Explore the Official Plan to understand the permissions associated with the designation(s).
To view the Official Plan and associated Schedules, please visit the current Official Plan page.
Review the Zoning By-law Schedules to understand which zone(s) apply to the property. Explore the Zoning By-law to understand the provisions associated with the zone(s). The Town currently has two Zoning By-laws:
- Zoning By-law 4316-09, as amended, applies to lands within the urban boundary
- Zoning By-law 500A-74, as amended, applies to lands outside of the urban area boundary
To view the Zoning By-laws and associated Schedules, please visit the Zoning By-laws page.
For Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-law Amendments, and Draft Plans of Subdivision and Condominium:
- Refer to the Notice of Public Meeting for details regarding:
  Open House date and registration
  Public Meeting date and registration
  Directions to provide written comments
  Contact information for the Town Planner on file
For Consents, Minor Variances, Fence Variances, Sign Variances, Legal Non-Conforming uses:
- Refer to the Public Notice for details regarding:
  Committee of Adjustment Hearing date
  Contact information for the Secretary-Treasurer to the Committee of Adjustment
Input on planning applications can be provided by:
- Email/Phone:
  Refer to directions in the Notice of Public Meeting to provide comments, and for the contact information of the Town Planner on file
  Refer to the directions in the Public Notice to provide comments to the Secretary-Treasurer to the Committee of Adjustment
- Speaking at:
  Open House
  Public Meeting
  Committee of Adjustment Hearing
Please refer to the provisions of the Planning Act with regard to appeal rights and providing comments on planning applications.
The purpose of an Open House is to provide the public with an opportunity to hear a presentation from a land owner/representative about a planning application. Members of the public can attend the Open House to gain a better understanding of the proposal, and ask questions directly of the land owner/representative.
The Public Meeting occurs during a Committee of the Whole – Planning Meeting, and provides an opportunity for members of the public to provide input, by way of comments and asking questions, directly to members of Council
The Planning Act allows appeals to be made on planning application decisions, or non-decisions of an application within prescribed timelines.
Appeals are heard by the Ontario Land Tribunal, an independent body which adjudicates matters on land use planning and related matters. Decisions can be made by the Ontario Land Tribunal by way of a settlement or through a hearing.
Please visit the Ontario Land Tribunal website for more information on the appeals process and to obtain information on existing cases and decisions

Planning Services

Planning Services