Building, Planning & Development Guide

The town works with developers to make sure that the development application meets the town’s standards and requirements and aligns with all relevant policies. This process is extensive, involves multiple discussions, public engagement, updates and reviews to ensure that the development application meets the interest of all stakeholders.

The town takes every effort to ensure that all applications are reviewed within the legislated timeframes. However, staff is required to wait for revised plans and studies from the applicant and review them to determine whether they address issues raised earlier. This often has an impact on legislated timelines. This is not singular to Oakville, but common among all municipalities. 

Visit our Active Development Applications or Planning and Development Applications and Forms page for more information.

A zoning by-law is the technical process to implement the policies of an official plan. It is a “rule book” for building and development. Zoning by-laws regulate how land and buildings are used, the location of buildings, minimum lot sizes and dimensions, building heights, and other provisions necessary to ensure proper development.  

Developers, businesses or residents can request a zoning by-law amendment from the town because they are seeking changes to existing regulations within reasonable grounds. These applications are evaluated to ensure they create a good living environment for current and future residents. 

For example, an amendment request to add more floors to a building is examined against all guidelines – the location, existing policies, maximum height inclusive of rooftop amenities and or mechanical penthouses etc.  

Visit the Zoning By-laws page for more information.

The Ontario Land Tribunal is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal that adjudicates or mediates matters related to land use planning, environmental and natural features and heritage protection, land valuation, land compensation, municipal finance and related matters. The Tribunal is established by section 2 of the Ontario Land Tribunal Act, 2021, and replaces the Ontario Municipal Board.

Appeals process

Technically, appeals to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) are triggered or can be initiated when:

• If a municipality has not issued a decision on a development application within the legislated timeframe (i.e. 90 or 120 days),
• If the municipality’s decision on an official plan amendment or zoning by-law amendment is not satisfactory to a developer, or the public,
• When a municipality receives objections to a notice of zoning or development within a 20-day period.

If the parties decide to settle or negotiate, those discussions may not always be shared publicly because:

• They are about the sale, purchase, or use of land or resources. The Municipal Act allows such discussions to take place in a closed session meeting so that Council can access advice from town and/or external legal counsel. 
• They help protect the ability of each party to devise their legal strategy without divulging details and compromising their case. It also allows them to plan next steps and prepare if the matter goes to a hearing.

Land valuation can be done in different ways. The town generally uses land appraisers to assist and there is no one ‘value’ that can be used in the town. There are different values depending on the area of the town, and takes into account a variety of factors surrounding the characteristics of the property including but not limited to land use planning restrictions and market factors.

Public consultation and notification are foundational in the planning and development process. 

The public is invited to provide comment on official plan amendments and zoning bylaw amendment through public information meetings, statutory meetings in front of Town Council or other methods depending on the nature of the project.

The Planning Act lays out requirements and best practices for developers/town, including consultation with residents and key agencies, and notification to property owners within 120 metres of the subject property, notices in the local newspaper, and signage posting. The town takes an additional step and often notifies landowners within 240 metres of a subject property.

Public input, combined with town staff’s technical review and evaluation of a proposal, provides Town Council with the necessary tools to consider the appropriateness of new developments.

Government of Canada

The Government of Canada researches social and economic data from various sources, and makes evidence-based decisions about immigration, population growth and jobs to create economic opportunities. This forms the basis for provinces to plan their future growth. The town also relies on information collected through the Census and research undertaken by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Province of Ontario

The Province of Ontario develops Provincial Plans (i.e. Greenbelt Plan) and policies such as the Provincial Policy Statement. The Growth Plan is another such plan and its objective is to accommodate population and employment growth over a 30-year period, and directs this growth to regional and municipal governments by way of legislation.

Halton Region

Halton Region is required to follow provincial policy and the provincial Growth Plan, to house up to 1.1 million people and half a million jobs by 2051 across its four area municipalities through the Regional Official Plan. 

Town of Oakville

Town of Oakville localizes and implements the growth plan mandated by the region and the province, and informs the town’s “Livable Oakville” Official Plan. The town identifies the most appropriate areas for new development based on such matters as infrastructure requirements. 

Property developers

Property developers submit development applications to the town to build residential, commercial and employment properties in the areas that the town has identified for future development. 

Ontario Land Tribunal

Ontario Land Tribunal provides a mechanism for appeals and dispute resolution related to land development, environmental and natural features and heritage protection, land valuation, land compensation, municipal finance, and related matters.

Residents

Residents are an important stakeholder throughout the development process, and have many opportunities to shape the development in their neighbourhoods/town within the legislative framework

Other stakeholders

Other stakeholders such as Conservation Halton, BILD, and utility companies provide their expertise when the region and town plan new development or enhancements to existing areas.