Types of Planning and Development Applications

There are a variety of services that we can help you with related to planning and development. Some of these services include:

Consent and minor variance

Some changes, like dividing land or making changes to how the land is used, known as variances, require approval from the Committee of Adjustment. Visit the Committee of Adjustment page for more information.

Heritage

Visit the Heritage Permit page for information on permits required for alterations to properties designated individually or as part of a heritage conservation district under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Official plan amendments

An official plan is a policy document that describes how land should be used in the community. It provides direction for future planning activities and for public and private initiatives aimed at improving the existing physical environment. In Oakville’s case, the official plan, Livable Oakville, is based largely on input made by citizens through the public participation process. Official plans address issues such as:

• where new housing, industry, parks, shopping areas, schools, hospitals, offices and other land uses are to be located
• what services such as sewers, water mains, roads and schools will be needed
• when and in what order parts of the community will grow

If you want to use your property or develop it in a way that conflicts with the approved official plan, you will need to obtain an official plan amendment. Every official plan amendment triggers a review by staff, approval by Council, as well as public meetings and negotiations. Before you apply for an amendment, you should discuss your proposal with the Planning and Development Department.

Part lot control

Part lot control is a provision of the Planning Act that, regulates the transfer or sale of part of a lot within a registered plan of subdivision. 

The municipality uses this as a means of preventing the possible uncontrolled division of lots within a plan of subdivision after the plan has been registered. Exemption from part lot control is commonly used to facilitate semi-detached and town-house developments. This approach is used because of the difficulty the builder would have in ensuring that the common centre wall between two dwelling units was constructed exactly on the property line. Before you apply for part lot control, you should discuss your proposal with the Planning and Development Department.

Plan of condominium

A plan of condominium is the process of dividing property so that an individual holds title to a portion of a building, or a unit, as well as a share of the rest of the property that is common to all the individual unit owners. A condominium can apply to residential, commercial or industrial properties. Before you apply for a plan of condominium, you should discuss your proposal with the Planning and Development Department. 

Plan of subdivision

A Plan of Subdivision is the process of dividing land into two or more parcels so that those parcels can be held in separate ownership. The approval process is governed by the Planning Act and ensures that:

• the land is suitable for its proposed new use
• the proposal conforms to the official plan and zoning, as well as to provincial legislation and policies
• you, your neighbours and your community are protected from developments which are inappropriate or may put an undue strain on community facilities, services or finances

Before you apply for a plan of subdivision, you should discuss your proposal with the Planning and Development Department. 

Site plan

Site plan control is a site-specific type of development control, authorized under Section 41 of the Planning Act. Site plan control applies to construction, development and re-development on all lands within the corporate boundaries of the town, with some exceptions.

Site plan approval is required for:

1. medium and high-density residential developments containing 11 units or more; 
2. residential development within 300 metres of a railway line;  
3. residential development within 120 metres of:
   1. a wetland;
   2. the shoreline of the Lake Ontario;
   3. an inland lake; or
   4. a river or stream valley that has depressed features associated with a river or stream, whether or not it contains a watercourse
4. all non-residential development; 
5. all other types of development unless exempted in the Site Plan law;
6. a temporary sales office for the sale of new homes within a draft approved plan of subdivision or condominium; and,
7. a commercial parking lot.

Site plan approval is not required for:

1. development which is located outside of a wetland, river or stream valley that has depressed features associated with a river or stream, whether or not it contains a watercourse or woodland, and consists of: 
   1. a building or structure that is 50 square metres or less in size that is either accessory to or in addition to, an existing building or structure; 
   2. a new non-residential building or structure on town-owned land, provided that the building or structure is less than 100 square metres;
   3. a temporary building or structure erected and used for a maximum of six consecutive months, provided the structure is located on a property with existing development;  
   4. a temporary building or structure on public lands allowed through a municipal permit; or
   5. a building or structure accessory to an existing agricultural use north of Highway 407.
2. residential freehold street townhouse units approved as part of a registered plan of subdivision unless a specific condition in the subdivision agreement requires site plan approval; 
3. up to two additional dwelling units within an existing detached dwelling, semi-detached dwelling or townhouse dwelling;
4. development in the form of a single-detached or semi-detached dwelling within five years of subdivision registration north of Dundas Street, unless a specific condition requires site plan approval; 
5. the placement of a portable classroom on a school site of a district school board if the school site was in existence on January 1, 2007; or 
6. in accordance with section 62.0.2 of the Planning Act, an undertaking of the following post-secondary institutions for the objects of the institution:  
   1. publicly-assisted universities, as defined in section 1 of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act;  or
   2. colleges and universities federated or affiliated with a publicly-assisted university referred to in paragraph i.

A Site Plan Guide has been prepared to clarify which types of development can proceed through a scoped site plan process and which will require full site plan approval.

Zoning by-law amendments

A zoning by-law is a document used to regulate the use of land. It states exactly what land uses are currently permitted in the town and provides detailed information such as:

• where buildings or structures may be located
• types of uses and dwellings permitted
• standards for lot size, parking requirements, building height, side yard dimensions and setback from the street

If you want to use or develop your property in a way that does not comply with the existing by-law, you have to apply for a zoning change. A rezoning, or zoning amendment, can be considered only if your new use is allowed by the official plan, Livable Oakville. Every zoning amendment triggers a review by staff, approval by Council, as well as public meetings and negotiations. Before you apply for a rezoning, you should discuss your proposal with the Planning and Development Department.