Planning Applications

An application may be submitted for a minor variance to:

• Provide relief from a requirement of a municipal bylaw;
• Extend or enlarge a non-conforming use;
• Change the existing non-conforming use to a similar or more compatible use; and
• To provide for a bylaw interpretation.

To ensure that all of the relief that may be required to allow for a development proposal, pre-consultation with the Township is mandatory.  The pre-consultation will include bringing the applicable staff and agencies together to consider the proposal and in most instances will include a site inspection.

Decisions respecting an application made pursuant to these applications are not precedent setting as each decision is made upon the merits and the circumstances relating to each parcel of land and the development that is proposed thereon.

If you would like to develop your property with a use that is not permitted by the Zoning By-Law, you may apply for a zoning amendment. Zoning amendment applications are reviewed in relation to the policies of the Provincial Policy Statement and the Official Plan and any applicable provincial plans. 

Zoning Amendment Process
• Pre-consultation with Development Services Department Staff
• Submit an application
• Application review
• Notice of public meeting in the local newspaper (at least 20 days prior to date of meeting)
• Council meeting
• Appeal period (20 days after Notice of Decision is advertised)
• Approval

Zoning By-law Amendment Application

Site Plan Control is an extra layer of control that may be imposed by a municipality when a particular situation or feature requires additional control that is generally not available through zoning restrictions.  Site plan control typically is the result of the submission and approval of another Planning Act application for a specific development proposal. 

For more information, reference Site Plan Control By-law 2001-100

Persons considering a Plan of Subdivision or a Plan of Condominium are encouraged to consult with the Township prior to the submission of a Plan of Subdivision application.  The Township of Stone Mills is the approval authority for all plans of subdivisions and plan of condominiums within the municipality.  For general information relating to this type of development please refer to the following made available by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

• Understanding the Subdivision & Condominium Application Process

The foregoing application fees do not include any external costs that the Municipality may incur in connection with its review of the application.