Development Application Submission Process

A development application is required for submission of:

• an Official Plan Amendment (OPA)
• a Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA)
• a Plan of Subdivision
• a Plan of Condominium

Learn more about each type of submission:

OPAs

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.

Livable Oakville is the Town of Oakville's Official Plan and 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

The town’s North Oakville Secondary Plans are part of the town’s official plan for lands north of Dundas Street and south of Highway 407 between Ninth Line and Tremaine Road.

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, and requires approval by Council. Before you apply for an amendment, a mandatory pre-consultation is required with Planning and Development Department. 

ZBAs

Zoning By-laws regulate land use and provides detailed information such as:

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

A ZBA is required when a development application proposes to develop the property contrary to what the applicable Zoning By-law prescribes. A rezoning, or zoning amendment, can be considered only if your new use is allowed by the official plan. Every zoning amendment triggers a review by staff, and an approval by Council.

A minor variance from the zoning by-law may be considered through the Committee of Adjustment (COA). Minor variance requests from the zoning by-law may include such things as:

• Changing how close a building is to a property line
• Increasing a building height
• Reducing the number of required parking spaces in a commercial development

Plan of Subdivision

A Plan of Subdivision divides a parcel of land into several blocks or building lots. It identifies the exact surveyed boundaries and dimensions of lots and blocks on which buildings are to be built, location and width of streets, parks, schools, etc. 

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

A Plan of Subdivision is required if the Owner of the land wants to create new, separate parcels of land that can be legally used for the sale of lots/blocks. Before you apply for a plan of subdivision, 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. If the Owner of a building wants to sell individual units as condominium units they must apply for a Plan of Condominium approval.