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The Planning Section of Development Services is responsible for:
- Preparing planning policy and looking after related documents such as the Official Plan and Zoning By-law; and
- Processing and evaluating development applications.
Visit the Planning Public calendar or the Engage WR page to view information on some of the applications currently being processed.
Visit the By-laws pages and select the Fees and Charges By-laws to view the Planning Department Fees By-law related to the development applications noted below.
Below is a list of the various development applications that are processed by Planning staff. Certain applications require the applicant to meet with Township and Regional staff ahead of making a formal application. Please review the Pre-application Consultation information below to determine what steps you may need to follow prior to making a formal application.
| Pre-application Consultation Meeting Request |
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If you are planning to apply for an:
for your property, you are required to discuss the proposal with Township and/or Regional staff through a pre-application consultation meeting, ahead of making a formal application. Please complete the necessary meeting request form and submit it to Planning staff for review. Once received Planning staff will contact you to advise the applicable pre-application meeting fee and steps to move forward. Pre-application Consultation Meeting Request Form (including the Region of Waterloo Environmental Site Screening Questionnaire |
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Certificate of Occupancy |
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Are you planning to start a home based business or establish / change a commercial or industrial business? See the new regulations for establishing a home business for a tradesperson on Agricultural properties that are 6 ha or less in area. Please contact Planning staff to discuss the necessary requirements and how to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy. |
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Compliance Letter |
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A compliance letter is normally for mortgage renewals and property sales. It offers information on the Official Plan and Zoning for the property and comments on any open building permits. A compliance letter can be requested through a written letter and submitted with the fee to Development Services Staff. |
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Consent (Severance) |
A property owner who wishes to:
is required to meet with Township staff to discuss the consent (severance) process prior to submitting an application for consideration by the Committee of Adjustment. |
| Minor Variance |
| A variance is a minor change to the Zoning By-law for a specific property. Property owners are advised to consult with Planning staff regarding the minor variance process prior to submitting an application for consideration by the Committee of Adjustment. |
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Official Plan Amendment |
| At times, an individual property may need an amendment to the Official Plan for new development or redevelopment proposals. Prior to submitting an application to amend the Official Plan please consult with Planning staff. The public always has opportunity to review and provide input on a proposed amendment prior to the adoption by the Township. |
| Site Plan Applications |
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Site Plan Approval is required for all commercial, institutional, industrial and some multi-residential developments within the Township and must be completed prior to the issuance of any building permits. Site Plan approval is an interactive process involving the property owner, their consultant(s), Township staff and other local government agencies. The Site Plan process is intended to match the property owner's requirements with the unique characteristics of each property while protecting the interests of all parties and ensuring development is designed to municipal standards. Typical agreements that are entered into and registered on title of the property are: For Site Plan application submission requirements please view the applicable Landscape and Design Guidelines. Contact Planning staff to arrange a pre-application consultation meeting for your proposal. |
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Subdivision Approvals |
| Subdivision approvals are handled between the Region, who is the approval authority, and the Township, who holds the public meeting. Generally, when you divide a piece of land into multiple lots (i.e. three or more), you are subdividing the property. Subdivisions can be created for residential, industrial or multi-use developments.
If you are considering a subdivision development on a parcel of land a pre-application consultation meeting with the applicable Regional, Township and other agency staff will be required prior to submission of an application. |
| Zoning |
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Every property in the Township is subject to policies in the Zoning By-law. A zoning by-law contains provisions that regulate the use, size, height, density and location of buildings on properties. The by-law consists of the following basic components:
Property owners are advised to consult with Planning staff regarding the zone change process prior to submitting an application for consideration by Council |