Contact Us
Adam Betteridge
Municipal Planner
169 St. David Street, P.O. Box 609, Mitchell ON N0K 1N0
West Perth planning staff provides professional planning advice to West Perth Council, committees of Council, the development community and the general public on a wide variety of development and policy related matters.
Planning staff are available to guide and assist land owners with development and future building proposals and are responsible for looking after related documents such as the Mitchell Ward Official Plan and the Municipality of West Perth Zoning By-law.
West Perth planning staff are also responsible for the delivery of the following municipal services as mandated under the Ontario Planning Act:
Land Use Planning – amendments to the Mitchell Ward Official Plan and the Municipal Zoning By-law; preparing development agreements pertaining to plans of subdivisions/condominium and site plan approvals; part lot control, and;
Committee of Adjustment - minor variances; enlargements; extensions or changes to legal non-conforming uses (Permissions).
PERTH COUNTY GIS
The County has provided an interactive mapping service (including aerial photos) to assist land owners and the development community. Please visit https://www.perthcounty.ca/en/living-here/maps.aspx for more information.
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The Planning Act |
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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:
Citizens' Guide 1 - The Planning Act by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provides more information. |
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| West Perth Official Plan | ||||||||||||
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The fully serviced settlement areas of Mitchell has a Local Official Plan that implements the County Official Plan for the Mitchell Ward. West Perth Official Plan (Mitchell Ward) |
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| 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. View the New 2019-2020 County Official Plan
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| 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 and Building Department staff are available to answer questions. Applicants are strongly encouraged to speak with planning staff in person or on the phone before submitting any application. As Planning staff are only in the Municipal Office on a scheduled basis, it is recommended that discussions/meetings be arranged ahead of time by emailing planner@westperth.com. |
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| Plan of Subdivision/Condominium | ||||||||||||
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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. Applications for Plan of Subdivision/Condominium are submitted to the County of Perth Planning and Development Department. Prior to submitting an application, a pre-consultation meeting with the County of Perth Planning and Development Department and the Municipality’s planning staff is needed to determine the suitability of the request and to review the submission requirements. See the “Mandatory Pre-Consultation” tab below for more information. Application of Plan of Subdivision Citizens' Guide 4 - Subdivisions by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provides more information. |
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| Consent to Sever/Severance | ||||||||||||
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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. Please contact the County Planning and Development Department at the information provided here, or by email to planning@perthcounty.ca, to arrange a pre-consultation meeting. 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. |
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| Zoning By-Law | ||||||||||||
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A Zoning By-law is a legal document that regulates the use of land within the Municipality. The By-law determines among other things:
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. Zoning By-Law Consolidated - updated February 2020 Citizens' Guide 3 - Zoning By-laws by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provides more information. Zoning By-Law Amendment Application
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| Site Plan Control | ||||||||||||
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Site Plan Approval is a form of development control, authorized under Section 41 of the Planning Act and Implemented through the Municipality of West Perth By-law 206-2015. This means the Municipality has the authority to influence the site design of certain types of development in addition to meeting requirements of the Municipal Zoning By-law and the Ontario Building Code. Site Plan Approval applies to all development within West Perth with the exception of single-detached dwellings; two-unit dwellings; buildings which are accessory to such dwellings; farm buildings; and temporary buildings. Site Plan Approval is required prior to the issuance of a Building Permit for all developments which are subject to Site Plan Approval. Site Plan Approval is required for a new building; addition to existing buildings; or a commercial parking lot. New and amended site plans shall conform to the Zoning By-law and to the Building and Fire Codes. Please consult the West Perth Site Plan Design Guidelines during the preparation of a site plan. Applicants are strongly encouraged to speak with municipal staff in person (typically building and planning staff are involved) prior to submitting a site plan application. As planning staff are only in the Municipal Office on a scheduled basis, it is recommended that discussions/meetings be arranged ahead of time by emailing planner@westperth.com. |
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| Part-Lot Control Exemption | ||||||||||||
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The Municipality may pass a by-law to remove part-lot control from all or any part of a registered plan of subdivision. This allows lands within a plan of subdivision to be further divided into individual parcels without the approval (and associated Public Hearing/Meeting) by the County of Perth Land Division Committee or Council. This exemption is appropriate when the resulting changes will not affect the nature or character of the subdivision. This application is usually applied to semi-detached or townhouse developments in order to establish property boundaries. This is done after the construction of the buildings due to the difficulty of the builder constructing the common centre wall on the exact property line. Part-Lot Control Exemption Application |
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| 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. |
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| Who Should I Contact? | ||||||||||||
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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.
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| 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 63-2019 For updated information regarding the new Development Charges By-Law, view our Development Charges page. |
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| 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 |