Planning and Land Use
Current and future development within the Township is guided and shaped based on the requirements of the Planning Act and through the application of provincial, County and Township land use planning policy; and the Township’s Zoning By-law. The Township values the voices and opinions of its residents and is working to build safe, vibrant and complete communities while preserving its rich agricultural and rural heritage.
Learn about the rules and processes municipalities follow for community development and growth in Ontario by accessing the Citizen’s Guide to Land Use Planning.
Proposed New Official Plan
The Township is currently working on the preparation of a new Official Plan to ensure alignment with the applicable policy framework, including the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, and the County of Simcoe Official Plan. An updated draft of the new Official Plan is now accessible by clicking on the white “New Official Plan – DRAFT November 2025 – Text and Schedules” button below.
The Township will hold a Public Open House for the new Official Plan at the Township Municipal Office in the Public Room on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 6-8pm. Please join us then to learn more about this exciting project and to provide your input.
If you would like to receive updates, including future Notices of Public Open Houses and Public Meetings, Notice of Adoption, etc., you can click on the green “Subscribe to Receive Updates on the New Official Plan” button below and enter your contact information.
Draft New Official Plan 2025 Text
Schedule A Municipal Structure
Schedule A-4 ORMCP Land Use Plan
Schedule C-1 Natural Heritage System
Schedule C-2 Natural Heritage System
Schedule C-3 Natural Heritage System
Schedule E-1 Wellhead Protection Areas
Schedule E-2 Significant Groundwater Recharge Areas
Schedule E-3 Highly Vulnerable Aquifers
Schedule F Mineral Aggregate Resources
Official Plan
To determine the land use designations in with the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Area, please refer to Schedule E-2 to OPA No. 3 – Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, below.
Schedules
Schedules
ZONING REGULATIONS
Zoning By-laws
The Township of Adjala-Tosorontio Zoning By-law controls the use and development of properties and buildings. The Zoning By-law implements policies set out in the Township’s Official Plan by placing properties into zone categories such as residential, agricultural, rural, commercial, industrial, and institutional.
Each of the zoning categories has a list of permitted uses and regulations, including matters such as:
- Lot size and frontage
- Building size and height
Apply for zoning by-law amendment? A zoning by-law application must meet the policies of the Official Plan. Or you may be required to apply for an official plan amendment before the land can be re-zoned.
Committee of Adjustment
The Township of Adjala-Tosorontio has established a Committee of Adjustment to make decisions on applications for consents and minor variances. The Committee is made up of five members (including a chair), appointed by Township Council to serve a four-year term.
A consent application is required to subdivide land without the requirement of a plan of subdivision. Consent applications can take the form of the creation of new lots, lot boundary adjustments, the creation of easements, and leases exceeding a period of 21 years.
In accordance with section 54(2) of the Planning Act, Council has delegated the authority to grant a Consent to the Committee of Adjustment.
A Minor Variance application is for permission or relief from the requirements of the Township’s Zoning By-law where circumstances make it difficult to comply with the specific zoning standards.
In accordance with section 45 of the Planning Act, Council has delegated the authority to authorize a minor variance to the Committee of Adjustment. The Committee of Adjustment may authorize a minor variance if the Committee is satisfied that:
- The variance requested is minor in nature.
- The general intent and purpose of the Township’s Official Plan is maintained.
- The general intent and purpose of the Township’s Zoning By-law is maintained.
- The proposal is desirable for the development of the land.
Planning Applications
A Planning Act application may be required where a proposed development is not consistent with applicable land use planning policies or zoning requirements.
Although pre-consultation is not mandatory for all applications, the Township strongly encourages applicants to contact staff to discuss their proposal prior to submitting a formal application. If you fail to consult with staff, the Township cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of your application submission which may result in processing delays.
The pre-consultation process is designed to help promote the exchange of information and development considerations early in the planning process. A key outcome of this process is a customized list of the studies and plans required in support of a development application. Topics for discussion may include land use policies and guidelines, zoning information, public consultation, transportation and engineering requirements, development review, application fees, and other issues.
In-Progress Applications
Draft Approved Plans of Subdivision
Approved Plans of Subdivision
Application Forms
Form requirements for Planning Act applications vary based on your proposal. To begin the process, please submit your application by completing the applicable forms found on our Applications, Licences and Permits page based on your application type.
- Official Plan Amendment Application Form
- Zoning By-law Amendment Application Form
- Draft Plan of Subdivision or Condominium Application Form
- Consent Application Form
- Minor Variance Application Form
- Site Plan Control Application Form
- Pre-Application Consultation Form
PLANNING AUTHORITIES
The Provincial Planning System (How Planning Works)
The responsibility for long-term planning in Ontario is shared between the province and municipalities. The province sets the ground rules and directions for land use planning through the Planning Act and the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS). In certain parts of the province, provincial plans provide more detailed and geographically-specific policies to meet certain objectives, such as managing growth, or protecting agricultural lands and the natural environment. The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP), is an example of a geography-specific regional plan that applies to the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio. Provincial plans work together with the PPS, and generally take precedence over the PPS in the geographic areas where they apply. While decisions are required to be “consistent with” the PPS, the standard for complying with these provincial plans is more stringent, and municipal decisions are required to “conform” or “not conflict” with the policies in these plans.
Land use planning helps municipalities manage land and resources and guides decisions about where:
- to build homes and factories
- to put parks and schools
- roads, sewers and other essential services are needed
Land use planning helps each community to set development goals while keeping social, economic and environmental factors in mind. It also balances the interests of individual property owners with the wider interests of the whole community.
Planning Legislation and Policy
Under the Clean Water Act, 2006, each Source Protection Area must produce a Source Protection Plan (SPP). Within the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio there are two Source Protection Areas being the Nottawasaga Valley Source Protection Area and the Toronto and Region Source Protection Area.
The South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Protection Plan applies to lands within the Nottawasaga Valley Source Protection Area, and the CTC Source Protection Plan applies to lands within the Toronto and Region Source Protection Area.
The policies of these Plans apply to all new threat activities, and includes timelines for bringing all current threat activities into compliance with the SPP policies. These threats have been identified through technical and scientific work described in the Assessment Reports
A Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) is a five-phase study identifying the potential positive and negative effects of municipal infrastructure projects like road improvements as well as water and wastewater projects. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Municipal Engineers Association, in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act, require that regional/County and municipal governments perform a Class EA study before a project can begin.