Planning and Development

Home/Business/Planning and Development

Related Links

Strategies and Plans

County of Perth
Planning and Development
1 Huron Street
Stratford ON, N5A 5S4

T: 519-271-0531 ext. 449
Map This Location

The Planning Act

The Planning Act establishes the rules for land use planning within the Province of Ontario and describes how land may be controlled. This Act was passed to:

promote sustainable economic development in a healthy natural environment within provincial policy framework;
establish a land use planning system led by provincial policy; and
allow for the planning process to be fair by making it open, accessible and efficient.

Citizens' Guide 1 - The Planning Act by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provides more information.

West Perth Official Plan

The fully serviced settlement areas of Mitchell has a Local Official Plan that implements the County Official Plan for the community.

West Perth Official Plan (Mitchell Ward)

Local Official Plan Amendment Guide

County of Perth Official Plan

The purpose of the County of Perth Official Plan is to establish a policy framework to guide the physical, social and economic development of the County and to protect the natural environment and resources within the County. Various issues are dealt with through the policy framework including where new housing, industry, office space and shops can be located, what services such as roads, water mains, sewer mains and other services are needed as well as where the community will grow. A printed copy of the Official Plan can be purchased from the Planning Department.

Citizens' Guide 2 - Official Plan by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provides more information.

What does the County of Perth Official Plan cover?

Economic Development
Healthy Communities
Land Use Designations and Map Schedules
Agriculture
Settlement Areas
Mobile/Modular Home Park
Natural Resources/Environment
Recreation
Flood Plain and Flood and Fill Constraint Areas
Cultural Heritage
Policy for the Division of Land
Community Facilities, Resources, and Services
Implementation

County Official Plan Amendment

County Council will consider site specific applications by property owners or their agents to amend the County Official Plan policies to permit a proposed new development to occur. As required by the Planning Act, a Public Meeting is conducted to consider the application and receive comments from members of the public, agencies and staff. County Council then decides whether or not to approve the proposed amendment.

The Application for Official Plan Amendment

Citizens' Guide 2 - Official Plan by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provides further information.

County Official Plan Review

On April 18, 2013 Perth County Council held its Public Meeting regarding the need to revise the County of Perth Official Plan as required by Section 26 of the Planning Act, RSO 1990.

Development Approvals

Depending on the type of development proposed an application may need to be submitted to the Municipal Office (i.e. Local Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, Minor Variance, Lifting Part-Lot Control, Site Plan Agreement) or the County Planning Department (i.e. County Official Plan Amendment, Plan of Subdivision or Condominium, Consent to Sever/Severance).

Planning staff are available to answer questions and encourage applicants to speak to the staff before submitting an application.

Plan of Subdivision/Condominium

A plan of Subdivision/Condominium is an application process under the Planning Act to create multiple lots or blocks from an existing property. Once approved, the Plan of Subdivision or Condominium is registered on the title of the property and allows for the new lots or blocks to be sold.

A pre-consultation meeting with the County Planning department is needed to determine the suitability of the request and to review the submission requirements. The application must include with the application fee.

Application of Plan of Subdivision

Citizens' Guide 4 - Subdivisions by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provides more information.

Consent to Sever/Severance

A consent is the authorized separation of a piece of land to allow for the creation of a new parcel of land (also known as land severance). This approval begins with the submission of a Development (Land Severance) Application to the Municipality.

Within the County Official Plan there are policies and requirements for land severance. If the severance and creation of multiple lots is intended, an application for a plan of subdivision will normally be required.

Prior to making an application a proponent is encouraged to pre-consult with the County Planning department to review the request and submission requirements. Each application must include the application fee.

Application for Consent

Application Information Sheet

Surplus Farm Dwelling Severances Guide for Applicants

Surplus Farm Dwelling Severance - Farm Owner Form

Citizens' Guide 5 - Land Severances by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provides more information.

Zoning By-Law

A Zoning By-law is a legal document that regulates the use of land within the Municipality. The By-law determines among other things:

What each parcel of land can be used for
Where and what types of buildings or structures may be located on the land
The requirements of lot sizes, parking lots, building heights and setbacks

The Zoning By-law must conform to the Official Plan of the Municipality. A copy is available for viewing in the documents below and at the Municipal Office.

Comprehensive Zoning By-law 100-1998, as amended

West Perth Zoning Maps

Citizens' Guide 3 - Zoning By-laws by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provides more information.

Zoning By-law Amendments

The Official Plan outlines in a broad manner the land use and development guidelines within the Municipality. A Zoning By-law, on the other hand, outlines how a specific parcel of land may be used. Zoning By-laws also regulate lot size, parking requirements, building height and other site-specific factors.

If an applicant wishes to develop a property in a manner that deviates from the current zoning provisions, they must apply for a Zoning By-law Amendment; also referred to as a rezoning. For example, a change of use from residential to commercial would require a Zoning By-law Amendment. Council must approve any amendment to the Zoning By-law, which is subject to an appeal process.

Sometimes a property owner only wants to make a minor deviation to the Zoning By-law provision such as a building setback or height restriction requirements. Owners who want to have minor changes to the use of their property that differ only slightly from Zoning By-law provisions can instead apply to the Committee of Adjustment for what is known as a minor variance. For example, a property owner planning an addition on to their house determines that with the addition there will only be a 6.5 meter rear yard. The Zoning By-law requires a rear yard depth of 7.5 meters. This is a minor deviation, and the owner could apply to the Committee of Adjustment for a minor variance that if approved would relax the rear yard requirement under the Zoning By-law and allow for the addition to proceed.

How to apply for a Zoning By-law Amendment?

View our Zoning By-Law Amendment Guide. Before making an application, you should discuss your proposal with staff. Application forms are available at the Municipal Office. The application should be submitted to the Building & Zoning Department; together with the required fee and any other information that may be required to support the application.

What happens next?

The application will be processed by staff who will circulate it to the required public bodies for comments, as well as to all property owners within 120 metres of the subject site. A sign will be installed on the property briefly describing the proposal.

Once all comments have been received, the Municipality will hold a Public Meeting as per the requirements of the Ontario Planning Act. The Planner will prepare a report to Council with a recommendation to approve or refuse the rezoning application. You are encouraged to attend the Public Meeting to present your view.

If Council approves the proposed amendment, it will pass a by-law which will be circulated to give interested parties the chance to appeal. A 20-day appeal period is provided for, once notice of Adoption of the By-law has been given. If no appeals are received by the end of the appeal period, the amendment is in full force and effect.

Cost of Applications

The fee for planning applications is based on the type of application. Other costs such as supporting studies, public agency review, surveying, legal agreements, peer review and other supporting material fees are not listed within the Fee schedule but may be required.

Mandatory Pre-Consultation

The County of Perth has a mandatory pre-consultation By-law (By-law 3509-2016) which requires an applicant to consult with the County before submitting a request to amend the Official Plan or before applying for approval of a plan of subdivision or condominium.

The purpose of meeting prior to submitting an application is to permit the County Planner to consult with the applicant and clarify information that the applicant may be required to submit to the County.

To set up a pre-consultation meeting please contact the Planning Department.

Who Should I Contact?

The County Planning department works with each of the local municipalities to provide land use planning services to County Council, local municipal Councils and staff as well as the public. This integrated approach allows for a relatively seamless service delivery.

Type of Application	Who to Contact
County of Perth Official Plan Amendment	County
Plan of Subdivision or Condominium Consent/Severance	County County
Local Official Plan Amendment	West Perth
Zoning By-law Amendment Minor Variance Site Plan Agreement Lifting Part-Lot Control	West Perth West Perth West Perth West Perth
Building Permit	West Perth

Development Charges

The Municipality of West Perth collects development charges on new properties to help pay for growing municipal infrastructure and services including roads, water and sewer infrastructure, community centres, emergency services and facilities.

West Perth Development Charges By-law 80-2014

For updated information regarding the new Development Charges By-Law, view our Development Charges page.

Forest Conservation

The County of Perth has a Forest Conservation By-law in place that regulates the destruction or injuring of trees. This By-law was enacted to help improve the forest, soil, fish, wildlife and water resources within the County of Perth by conserving and improving the woodlands and woodlots located within the County.

If a land owner or a contractor is considering a tree removal, they are required to submit a Notice of Intent to the County Planning and Development Department. A Notice of Intent needs to be received by the County Planning and Development Department at least five (5) business days prior to any destruction or injury or trees pursuant to Section 3 (2) of the By-law and at least twenty (20) business days prior to any destruction or injury of trees pursuant to Section 3 (1) of the County's Forest Conservation By-law.

To contact the County's By-law Enforcement Officer:

T: 519 291-2236

E: By-law Enforcement Officer

Planning and Development

Related Links

Available Lands and Buildings

Economic Development

Strategies and Plans