This web page is the online home for the Town's Zoning By-law Project. It contains all information that is available to the public for review. This is a resource to help individuals understand the land use planning process in Ontario and Zoning By-laws in particular.
Zoning is the process of dividing land in a municipality into zones in which certain land uses are permitted or prohibited. The type of zone determines whether planning permission for a given development is granted. Zoning is laid out in the Town's Zoning By-law, which is directed by the Town's Official Plan.
Zoning & Building Compliance Information Requests are made available by the Building Services Division of the Planning and Development Department. This information is generally requested by lawyers and real estate agents wanting to ensure that a property is in compliance with Town of The Blue Mountains By-laws. This information is available to any interested party.
Please note we do not provide verbal zoning confirmation over the phone or in person. Information can be officially requested through the submission of a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) Form. Please complete the RFI and return to Zoning Coordinator
Payment may be made by VISA or MasterCard by phoning 519-599-3131 ext 239, or by Cheque payable to "The Town of The Blue Mountains"
Please allow a minimum of 5 business days to receive written response via e-mail.
Visit our Zoning Information page to view current Zoning Bylaw and Official Plan information that is available to the public for review.
The purpose of the Zoning By-law is to implement the policies of the Town's Official Plan. The Official Plan contains general policies that affect the use of land throughout the Town. These policies specify where certain land uses are permitted and, in some instances, specify what regulations should apply to the development of certain lands.
A Zoning By-law controls the use of land within a municipality. More specifically, Zoning By-laws state exactly:
The purpose of a Zoning By-law is to implement the policies of an Official Plan. The Official Plan contains general policies that affect development and the use of land throughout the municipality. The Zoning By-law implements the Town's Official Plan and provides for its day-to-day administration while providing a legally enforceable way of managing land use and future development
Please note that a portion of the Town is located within the Niagara Escarpment Plan Area and is administered through Niagara Escarpment Development Control by the Niagara Escarpment Commission.
The Government of Ontario has produced a series of Citizens' Guides which explain how the land use planning process works in Ontario.
The Committee of Adjustment is an independent body appointed by Council, under authority granted by the Province of Ontario. The Committee of Adjustment is composed of three members of the public, who are appointed by Town Council.
The Town's Committee of Adjustment has authority under the Planning Act to grant minor variances from the zoning by-law and fence by-law; and other associated powers under Section 45(2) of the Planning Act with extensions and similar/compatible uses to non-conforming uses, and conformity of uses that are defined in general terms.
For more information and a list of current members, please visit our Committee of Adjustment page.
If a proposal does not comply with the Zoning By-law, the owner of any land, building or structure (or any person authorized in writing by the owner) may apply to the Committee of Adjustment for a Minor Variance.
The goal of a Minor Variance is to seek relief from a specific Zoning By-law requirement.
Planning Services
519-599-3131 x263
Zoning Coordinator
519-599-3131 x290