Zoning

Zoning By-Laws are necessary to implement the objectives and policies of the Official Plan and to protect you from conflicting land uses in your community. In addition, they provide a legal way of managing land use and future development.

If you want to use or develop your property in a way that is not allowed by the Zoning By-Law, you may apply for a zoning change, also known as a Zoning By-Law amendment or a rezoning. But Council can consider a change only if the new use is allowed by the Official Plan. (Otherwise you must also apply for an Official Plan Amendment).

Before you apply for a Zoning By-Law Amendment, you should talk to Township staff for advice and information. You must complete an application form which requires information identified by the province and the municipality.

Application - Zoning By-Law Amendment

Applications are also available at the Municipal Office. 

When Council decides to pass a Zoning By-Law, it must first give as much information as possible to the public. There must also be at least one public meeting before a by-law is passed and everyone who attends the meeting must have a chance to speak. Notice of this meeting is given at least 20 days in advance, either through local newspapers or by mail and posted notice. An open house information session is also required for a Zoning By-Law being brought into conformity with an Official Plan which has been updated as part of the Official Plan's five-year review update. A municipality is required to update its Zoning By-Law no less than three years after the approval of an Official Plan five-year review.

When considering a Zoning By-Law, the Council evaluates it against criteria such as the conformity with the Official Plan and compatibility with adjacent land, the sustainability of the land for the proposed purpose, the adequacy of vehicular access, water supply, septic capacity and the risk of flooding.

If your proposed change does not conform exactly to the Zoning By-Law, but follows its general intent, you can apply for a minor variance. (For example, you might want to locate something on your property but the shape of your lot will not let you meet the minimum setback requirements.)

• Holding By-Laws allow future uses for the subject land but delays development until specified conditions are complete

• Interim Control By-Laws temporarily freeze a specific use while studying the area’s land use and policies. The By-Law can be passed for one (1) year and extended to a maximum of two (2) years.

• Temporary Use By-Laws authorize a temporary use of land or building that would otherwise be prohibited for a period of up to three (3) years.

• Increased Height and Density By-Laws allow buildings to exceed permitted standards if the developer agrees to provide certain services to the community in return, (e.g. Parkland).

• In addition, Zoning is an optional tool that municipality’s may use to address their community’s affordable housing needs.

A home-based business is identified as an accessory use to a residential property. The Zoning By-Law identifies, among other subjects, space, signage requirements and specifications on public disturbance.

Home Based Business Provisions

Tiny Homes are permitted as a residence or seasonal residence in all Townships zones where a residential use is permitted.  The tiny home must meet all the zone standards of the applicable zone and gain septic system approval or provide an outhouse before a building permit can be issued.

Tiny Homes Fact Sheet