The Zoning Review and Certificate Process

THE REVIEW

The Zoning Review Process is an important first step.

It is a review of your project to make sure it follows the Township’s Zoning By-laws and Planning requirements—before you invest time and money into a full application.

During this process, a Zoning Examiner will look at your proposal and confirm whether it complies with applicable regulations and identify anything that needs to be addressed prior to submission of a Planning application, through the issuance of Zoning Review Comments.

❓ Why do I need this

By completing a Zoning Review early, you can:

• Confirm your project meets zoning rules
• Obtain a list of the variances your Committee of Adjustment application requires
• Identify any issues before applying for a Building Permit
• Understand if additional approvals are required
• Avoid delays or surprises later in the process

🔍 What happens during the review

During this review, staff will:

• Assess whether your proposed construction complies with the Township’s Zoning By-law
• Identify any concerns or missing requirements
• Determine whether your project is exempt from needing a Zoning Certificate
• Advise if additional approvals are required

🧭 What other approvals might be required

Depending on your project, additional reviews or approvals may be needed. These could include, but are not limited to:

• Minor Variance – if your proposal does not fully meet zoning requirements
• Site Plan Approval – for certain types of development
• Oak Ridges Moraine Review or Clearance – if your property is within this protected area
• Conservation Authority Clearance – for environmental considerations
• Other Planning approvals – depending on the nature and location of your project

🚀 What’s the benefit

The Zoning Review Process gives you a clear path forward, by understanding requirements upfront, you can:

• Make informed decisions
• Adjust your plans if needed
• Reduce delays in the Building Permit stage
• Keep your project moving efficiently

THE CERTIFICATE

A Zoning Certificate, once issued is formal confirmation that your proposed project meets the Township’s zoning requirements and any other applicable planning approvals.

Once your zoning review is addressed and achieves compliance with all regulations, this certificate is issued along with your approved drawings. These drawings will be stamped to indicate they have been reviewed and are compliant with zoning regulations.

❓ Why is this important

A Zoning Certificate provides:

• Confirmation that your plans meet zoning requirements
• Assurance that any required planning approvals are in place
• A clear signal that you can proceed to the Building Permit stage

🕒 How long is it valid

Your Zoning Certificate is valid for 9 months from the date of issuance, provided that there are no changes to the approved plans.

🔄 What if my plans change

If you make any revisions to your approved plans:

• A new Zoning Certificate will be required
• The updated plans will need to be reviewed again for compliance

IMPORTANT NOTE: A Zoning Certificate is not a Building Permit. For issuance of a Building Permit please consult with the Building Division.