When required, the City's Official Plan and Zoning By-law can be amended through a public process. The goals of this process are:  

• to assess whether the proposed amendment is in line with the long-term vision and goals for how our community should grow;
• and to ensure members of the public who may be affected by the proposed amendment have an opportunity to voice their views on the matter.

Dividing a parcel of land into multiple lots (which can then be sold) requires a plan of subdivision or condominium approval. This approval process helps ensure:

• the land in question is suitable for the proposed new use;
• the proposed development conforms with the City's Official Plan, and with provincial plans and policy;
• and residents are protected from development which may be inappropriate or might place strain on municipal services, facilities, or financial resources.

The City of Barrie has been delegated authority by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to approve draft plans of subdivision (Ontario Regulation 417/01 under the Planning Act). The approval process is provided for under section 51 of the Planning Act. Section 51 also applies to the approval of a Plan of Condominium (under subs.9(2) of the Condominium Act).

Note for Plan of Subdivisions: Once a complete application has been received, processing the application may take six to eight months.

Site Plan Control

Site Plan Control helps ensure development in the urban environment takes place in a safe, efficient, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing manner, and new development is compatible with existing neighbouring properties (provided for under section 41 of the Planning Act). Site Plan Control regulates the placement of buildings and structures on a lot, the relationship of structures to adjacent properties and streets, and matters of exterior design.

A significant portion of land within the City is subject to Site Plan Control. If a property is located within a designated Site Plan Control area, then an application for Site Plan Approval is needed before any development can take place on the property. (For the purposes of Site Plan Control, “development" includes erecting new buildings, adding to or altering an existing building in a way that substantially increase its size or usability, and establishing a commercial parking lot.)

Development or alteration of any lands within a Site Plan Control Area are subject to the Site Plan Approval process, unless otherwise exempt by the Director of Planning and Building Services. Learn more about the process in the Site Plan Application Manual.

Exemptions

Exemptions from the Full Site Plan Approval process may be considered for minor development and/or site alterations on lands subject to Site Plan Control, in accordance with this process and at the discretion of the Director of Planning and Building Services, or their designate. Within the City, minor development and/or site alterations may include, but are not limited to exterior building façade improvements/alterations, minor building additions, exterior patio additions, minor parking lot additions/alterations and temporary sales trailers. 

If the property is not located within a Site Plan Control area, then the owner can proceed to apply for a building permit (subject to zoning confirmation and other applicable municipal requirements.)

Apply online through APLI or complete the relevant PDF forms, which include information on how to submit the application.

Approval of Plan of Subdivision

Conformity Review

Exemption from Full Site Plan Approval

Extension or Revision to Draft Approved Plan of Subdivision or Condominium

Official Plan Amendment and/or Zoning By-Law Amendment (including Removal of Hold)

Part Lot Control Exemption and/or Deeming By-Law

Plan of Condominium Approval or Exemption

Site Plan Control Approval

Pre-Consultation Request Form: Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-Law Amendments Plan of Subdivision/Condominium

Pre-Consultation Request Form: Site Plan Control

Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) Scoped Site Plan Approval*

Pre-Servicing Agreement*

Cost Recovery Form*

Owner Authorization - Planning Applications (Property Owner Consent)*

Telecommunication Facility*

* These forms are only available in PDF format. All other forms can also be completed online through APLI.

As part of the development applications process, City staff may request that the following studies & reports be completed:

Affordable Housing Report

Archaeological Study

Environmental Impact Study

Functional Servicing Report

Geotechnical Study

Heritage Impact Assessment​

Historic Neighbourhood Character Impact Evaluation​

Hydrogeological Study​

Illumination Study

Market Study

Noise-Vibration Impact Analysis

Planning Justification Report​

Shadow-Shadowing Study

Stormwater Management Report

Transportation Impact Study​​

Transportation Impact Study Guidelines

Tree Preservation Plan

Urban Design Report

Wind Study​

The first step in the development application process is a pre-consultation, where the applicant presents their development proposals and concept plans to City staff. This allows for staff to:

• identify key issues and provide preliminary written comments on the proposal;

• clarify the application process and fees for the applicant; and
• identify and confirm the plans, supporting studies, and other information that will need to be provided for the full development application to be considered complete.

The pre-consultation application is circulated to the relevant City departments and external agencies for review and commentary. A technical review meeting between the applicant, City staff, and any necessary outside agencies will be scheduled within a minimum of four weeks from when a complete pre-consultation application is submitted.

As part of the complete application process, a Public Notice sign must be posted on the subject lands. The Planning & Building Services Department has requirements for positioning the Public Notice sign layout and positioning on the property, as well as a guide to the Public Notice symbols displayed on the sign. The applicant is responsible for all costs associated with preparing and posting the Public Notice.

A formal Public Meeting about the application will be held in front of General Committee, as required under the Planning Act. At this meeting, the applicant will present the proposed amendment and members of the public will have a chance to speak and ask questions. Members of the public can also make written submissions if they cannot attend the meeting. No decisions are made at this meeting.

Notice of the Public Meeting is sent by regular mail to property owners located within 120 metres of the subject lands and  a sign is posted on the subject lands.

In addition to conducting their own technical review, Planning staff circulate the application to other City departments and to relevant outside agencies (such as Conservation Authorities or provincial ministries) for commentary.

Following this review, Planning staff submit a report making a recommendation to General Committee regarding the proposed amendment. General Committee will consider this report and then make a recommendation to City Council, which will decide on the application.

A Zoning Compliance Letter provides information the City may have ​with respect to the status of zoning on a property. This includes Zoning Designation and By-laws Pertaining to the Planning Act. Zoning Compliance Letters do not include Building Permit Record Information, such as Building Code Orders or status of permits. 

To obtain a Zoning Compliance Letter, please complete the Zoning Compliance Letter Request Form ​and submit payment (as per the City of Barrie Fees By-law) to Service Barrie. ​

A Permitted Use Letter is written confirmation of the zoning and permitted uses at a subject property. The letter is often requested by a business owner to confirm their proposed business is permitted on a specific property. The letter does not confirm compliance with any other regulations set out in the Barrie Zoning By-law. 

If you require a Permitted Use Letter, save time and apply online using APLI. To apply in person, please complete a Permitted Use Letter Request Form and submit payment (as per the City of Barrie Fees By-law) to Service Barrie. ​