Planning, Development and Zoning

Provincial Policy Statement

The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS,2020) is the statement of the Government's policies on land use planning. It applies province-wide and provides clear policy direction on land use planning to promote strong communities, a strong economy, and a clean and healthy environment.

It includes policies on key issues that affect our communities, such as:

• the efficient use and management of land and infrastructure;
• protection of the environment and resources; and
• ensuring appropriate opportunities for employment and residential development, including support for a mix of uses.

Municipalities use the PPS to develop their official plans and to guide and inform decisions on other planning matters.

The Planning Act

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

• promote sustainable economic development in a healthy natural environment within the 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.

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

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.

You can review the Citizens' Guide 2 - Official Plan by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for more information on official plans.

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. 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. The application must include the application fee.

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

Listowel Ward Official Plan

The purpose of the Listowel Ward Official Plan is to establish a policy framework to guide the physical, social and economic development in the Listowel Ward and to protect the natural environment and resources within the Listowel Ward.

You can review the Citizens' Guide 2 - Official Plan by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for more information on official plans.

Development Approvals

Depending on the type of development proposed, an application may need to be submitted to the North Perth Building and Development Department (i.e. Listowel Ward 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).

Our planning staff are available to answer questions. We encourage applicants to contact the Municipal Planner before submitting an application. 

Zoning

Our 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; and
• 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 below and at the Municipal Office.

• Comprehensive Zoning By-law 6-ZB-1999, as amended 
• North Perth Zoning Maps
• Citizens' Guide 3 - Zoning By-laws, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Development and Servicing Standards

• North Perth Development and Servicing Standards Policy

Site Plan Control Area

• Site Plan Control Area By-law and Site Plan Design Guidelines

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.

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 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. The application must include the application fee.

To set up a pre-consultation meeting, please contact the County of Perth Planning Department.

Resources:

• Application of Plan of Subdivision
• Citizens' Guide 4 - Subdivisions, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Consent to Sever/Land Severance

A Consent to Sever/Severance 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 County of Perth Land Division Committee.

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, an applicant is encouraged to pre-consult with the County Planning Department to review the request and submission requirements. Each application must include the application fee.

Resources:

• 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, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Additional Residential Units (ARUs)

Additional Residential Units (ARUs) are self-contained units with a private kitchen, bathroom facilities and sleeping areas. ARUs are different from other residential uses because they are clearly accessory to the primary dwelling on the property in both use and appearance. Visit the links below to learn more:

• Perth County Additional Residential Unit (ARUs) Fact Sheet

• Adding a Second Unit in an Existing House Ontario Building Code Information

Planning applications and fees

Applications:

• County of Perth Official Plan Amendment
• Listowel Ward Official Plan Amendment
• Zoning By-law Amendment
• Site Plan Agreement
• Minor Variance
• Exemption from Part Lot Control

Fees:

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.

Development charges

Development charges are fees that help pay for growth-related capital costs of infrastructure and services for new development, including roads, water and sewer infrastructure, community centres, emergency services and facilities.

You can view the Municipality's current Development Charges By-law on the By-law and Enforcement page. You can also read the North Perth Development Charges Pamphlet, which summarizes the Municipality's policy with respect to Development Charges. Please contact the Building Department for information or questions on applicable development charges.

Who should I contact?

To help you with your planning, development and zoning questions/needs, we have included a table below that highlights who to contact for certain applications/topics: