Land Use Planning Services
Access the Public Portal 24/7 for submitting planning application forms and proposals. The portal accepts credit card payments for transactions up to $5,000.00. Learn more about the Development Review Process.
The Town of Collingwood (TOC) has a development pause in place using an Interim Control By-law also known as the ICBL. TOC is moving to a Servicing Capacity Allocation Framework supporting a complete community.
Click below for up-to-date information on the Town's Engage page regarding the ICBL.
Engage Collingwood & ICBL Updates
The Purpose of Land Use Planning
The planning department provides services regarding the Official Plan and Zoning By-law (including zoning compliance reports), documents for the Town of Collingwood, exercising control over the subdivision of land, and indirectly by providing municipal services and pursuing municipal policies which support and reinforce the land use planning objectives of the Municipality and County of Simcoe.
Click the buttons below to access policy documents, forms, and information.
Public Portal/Online Application Submission
Zoning and Official Plan Mapping
Heritage Buildings & District Part IV and Part V Buildings
The planning department guides, regulates, and makes recommendations regarding community growth and development in a manner that protects the environment, enhances the quality of life, promotes a complete community, and involves the public in the decisions that affect them.
The planning department accepts, on behalf of the Council, proposed applications for changes to land use and coordinates the review and approval process within a prescribed time frame. Planning application forms are located on this site. Please access the Town's Public Portal to prepare a proposal and upload the executed and commissioned planning application form(s) and associated documents.
Town of Collingwood Official Plan Consolidated January 2019 version
The Foreward includes Appeal Dispositions, Non-Decision disposition status, and Specific Amendments. For the complete text including interactive content click here.
The following Site Amendments have yet to be consolidated into the 2019 version:
OPA #43 360 Raglan Feb 7, 2020, OPA#44 Balmoral Blocks 1 - 4 March 6 2020
The Town of Collingwood Zoning By-Law, and Development Documents
The planning department is located in the Municipal Offices located at 55 Ste. Marie Street. Please access the office via the rear doors of the building. The department can be reached at planning@collingwood.ca or 705-445-1290.
Contact Planning Services prior to the building department to discover how Zoning By-law controls the use of land in the community. It states exactly how land may be used, where buildings and other structures can be located in relation to lot setbacks, the types of buildings that are permitted (and how they may be used), the lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights, and setbacks from the street. Learn more at A Citizens' Guide and Zoning By-Laws.
Comments: The comments above are made to the best of our knowledge using all of the information and resources available at the posting time. The information contained herein is believed to be correct, however, the Town assumes no liability for negligence, inaccuracies, or omissions. You are welcome to make a personal examination of the applicable information by request via Microsoft teams or by emailing planning@collingwood.ca.
Planning Act: Individuals who make written submissions with respect to a Planning Act application should be aware that their submission and any personal information in their correspondence will become part of the public record and made available to the Applicant, Committee and Council.
The Town of Collingwood is updating its Official Plan.
The Official Plan is the overall policy framework for how land is used in Collingwood and sets out the vision for our community over the next 20 years.
The Public Portal provides 24/7 service to provide your electronic planning proposal.
Public Portal 1. Register for the portal, 2, Await for the acceptance email, 3. Sign on to the Public Portal and follow the steps to provide electronic documentation. Planning Application Forms must be executed and commissioned prior to downloading to the project.
Upon registration on the Public Portal, planning application form(s), as well as all associated documents and plans are to be provided via the Public Portal, accessible by clicking the button below. When you receive notification of successfully submitting an application proposal the planning team is automatically notified at the same time.
Town of Collingwood Public Portal
Development Review Documents to be reviewed prior to submitting plans can be found here: https://www.collingwood.ca/building-business/land-use-planning-services/development-planning
Pre-Consultation Development Review Team Meetings (DRT) are held electronically on the “Microsoft Teams” application, and attendees will receive a meeting request including a link to the meeting. There will be internal and external review agencies at the meeting to discuss the subject proposal(s).
Acknowledgment of the Planning Act and Freedom of Information
Personal information on these forms is collected under the authority of the Planning Act, R.S.O 1990, c. P.13, as amended, and will be used to contact the applicant regarding the progress of their application. This information will be used by the Town and relevant agencies for processing of this application and will also be available to members of the public inquiring about the application and is subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56, as amended.
Acknowledgment of Public Information
The applicant grants the Town of Collingwood (TOC) permission to reproduce, in whole or in part, any document submitted as part of a complete application for internal use, inclusion in staff reports, or distribution to the public either online or through other means for the purpose of application review. The applicant agrees to provide in electronic form, to the TOC for internal and external use and distribution to the public either online or through other means for the purposes of application review.
If the applicant believes there may be a security risk by allowing the public access to any portion of these documents, the applicant must indicate the portion of the document(s) to which this concern applies, along with supporting documentation outlining the reasons for concern, along with the document submitted as part of the application. Planning Department Professionals or delegates will consider, but will not be bound to agree with, such submissions prior to reproduction, in whole or in part, any identified portions for internal use, inclusion in staff reports, or public distribution via electronic means.
Development Applications are published on this landing page, as well as other places within the municipality https://www.collingwood.ca/proposed-major-developments
The Owner/Applicant/Agent acknowledges and agrees that: All costs incurred by the municipality processing this application will be borne by the payee/applicant as deemed fit by the Municipality. In addition, the Town may require further or other reports that it determines are necessary to address such exceptional circumstances which may or not be sent directly to the agency. As described an implemented by Official Plan Amendment #16, these may include but are not limited to, engaging peer review consultants to evaluate the proposal, and supporting submissions shall also be borne by the payee/applicant.
Below are links to our planning application forms
Site Plan and Radio Communication
Amendments to the Official Plan, Zoning By-Law, Removal of a Holding Provision, and Temporary Use
Draft Plan of Subdivision, Registration of Plan Subdivision & Condominium Plan Approval
Land Sales, Easements, and Encroachments
Deeming By-law, Part Lot-Control, and Parking Exemption
Minor Variance or Special Permission
Heritage Tax Refund Program (including Schedule A)
The finance schedule, accessible via the link below, outlines the current fees.
Questions about these procedures should be directed to Planning Services via email planning@collingwood.ca or phone 705-445-1030.
Development Proposal Process and Overarching Policy Documents
Development Review Documents to be reviewed prior to submitting plans can be found at the following link:
https://www.collingwood.ca/building-business/land-use-planning-services/development-planning
Planning application form(s), as well as all associated documents and plans, are to be provided via our public portal at the following link:
https://cvportal.collingwood.ca/portal
Pre-Consultation Development Review Team Meetings (DRT) will be held and conducted by the electronic meeting application named “Microsoft Teams”, you will receive a meeting request with an electronic link to the meeting. There are internal and external review agencies at the meeting.
You are welcome to engage a private sector provider to give you guidance on registering, and applying for planning proposals, building permits, and other applications through our preferred method of receiving your proposal and our public portal.
Due to extenuating circumstances, you are able to provide electronic documents to us via planning@collingwood.ca
Questions about these procedures should be directed to Planning Services through our email planning@collingwood.ca or 705-445-1030
Application Fees: Our flat fee is non-refundable and payable upon submission of the application. The contingency deposit fee is reconciled and the balance is returned at the request of the payor. Consult the Treasury Departments landing page for the current Fees & Charges https://www.collingwood.ca/council-government/budget-taxes/fees-charges
Here is a link to the Development Application Review Process
Planning Services has a development team that meets every three weeks to process proposed development applications.
The Municipal Act authorized a municipality to adopt Site Plan Control.
Therefore The Town of Collingwood Site Plan Control By-Law No. 2010-082 pertains to certain lands within our municipal boundaries and The Official Plan designates all lands within the Town of Collingwood as a Site Plan Control area.
Site plan control is administered by Planning Services
Site plan control gives our municipality detailed control of how a particular property is developed and allows municipalities to regulate the various features on the site. Council can designate areas of site plan control, in which case developers must submit plans and drawings for approval before undertaking development. Site plan control can regulate certain external building, site and boulevard design matters (for example, character, scale, appearance, streetscape design). Further, we require a site plan agreement with a developer which will be registered on title of the subject property. The agreement will set out details, but not limited to, such as parking areas, elevations and grades, landscaping, building plans and services. The agreement will be registered on title and must be complied with by the owner and all subsequent owners.
Your development may or may not be subject to Development Charges for sanitary sewers and water servicing, may apply as per By-law No. 2014-032 which is administered by the Treasury Department.
Please contact the Building Department to understand if your development is subject to Town Development Charges By-law, Simcoe County Development Charges, Education Levy, or the Black Ash Creek Special Policy Charges. Building Services has an e-Permit Service which allows you to submit your building permit electronically . The Building Department will also administers the Street Naming Policy and Civic Addressng By-Law 2014-028 which in on the website. Please contact Building Department at building@collingwood.ca
(Development Review Process, Street Naming, Development Charges, Cash In Lieu of Parkland Dedication, Interim Control Bylaw, Site Plan Control, Zoning By-Law, Active Transportation, Updated Planting Details, Self Evaluation for Water Servicing Capacity, Official Plan, Zoning By-Law)
Planning Act (the Act) is provincial legislation that sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario. It describes how land uses may be controlled, and who may control them. Here is a very useful guide provided by the Ontario Government. Here is the link The link to the guide provides the role of municipalities. It discusses the process of planning application proposals (planning applications) and how planning applications must be processed. Here is a video by the Province of Ontario describing the structure and levels of Government in Ontario.
The TOC is a lower-tier municipality and therefore has prescribed legal powers and responsibilities. The organization of Municipalities is discussed at this link.
- Site Plan Control By-Law
- Urban Design Submission Terms of Reference Oct 2020
- Urban Design Manual
- Committee of Adjustment
- Updated Planting Development Details in addition to Development Standards
- Related Bylaws
- Active Transportation
- Industrial Land Use Strategy
- Impact Analysis Retail Marketing
- Commercial Policy Review
Please use your printer dialogue settings to choose ledger sized paper.
Development Activity Maps
- 2013 Development Activity Map
- 2014 Development Activity Map
- 2016 Development Activity Map
- 2017 Development Activity Map
- 2018 Development Activity Map
- 2019 Development Activity Map
- 2020 Development Activity Map
- 2021 Development Activity Map
Subdivision Activity Maps
Short Term Accomodation is allowed within home occupation when the provisions for a Bed and Breakfast are met. The Collingwood Zoning By-Law speaks to the provisions (regulations) required to offer temporary lodging for less than 30 consecutive calendar days or less, throughout all or any part of a calendar day.
The attached pertinent pages are from The Collingwood Zoning By-Law. These pages are the definition of a legal Bed and Breakfast and short-term accommodation within Collingwood.
Also included are the provisions (regulations) which shall be followed to create a legal Bed and Breakfast (Section 4.25) and Home Occupation (Section 4.39).
If the home-owner fufills these provisions you will need to receive a Change of Use from the Building Department. Here is a bulletin created by the Chief Building Official.
The location of private property lines, survey stakes, and dealing with related matters is not the Town of Collingwood's responsibility. Property owners are responsible for their property lines, including when building fences or additions. Property owners may wish to consult with a lawyer or surveyor or the Land Registry Office in Barrie.
The Registry Office in Barrie has a service that enables users to access information on property digitally through the link below
The County of Simcoe has a tool that lets you look up your address, use measurement tools, and locate property lines. https://maps.simcoe.ca/public
A Place to Grow
Below is a link to the Province of Ontario and the Growth Plan which includes Collingwood, Ontario
A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. A Place to Grow is the Ontario government's initiative to plan for growth and development in a way that supports economic prosperity, protects the environment, and helps communities achieve a high quality of life.
"The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)’s planning jurisdiction includes hearing and deciding appeals in relation to a broad range of land use planning and development, heritage conservation and municipal governance."
When an appeal is submitted the review and decisions are in the scope of the OLT and no longer the Developer or Municipality. It is a formal court session and the OLT will provide decisions which both must follow.
Any questions can be asked to the OLT Coordinator assigned to the Case
Pre-Consultation Development Review Team Meetings (DRT) will be held and conducted by the electronic meeting application named “Microsoft Teams”, you will receive a meeting request with an electronic link to the meeting. There are internal and external review agencies at the meeting.
You are welcome to engage a private sector provider to give you guidance on use of the Public Portal our perferred method of receiving your application and documents. They will be able to assist you in registering, and applying for planning proposals, building permits, and other applications through our preferred method of receiving your proposal and our public portal.
Due to extenuating circumstances, you are able to provide electronic documents to us via planning@collingwood.ca
Questions about these procedures should be directed to Planning Services through our email planning@collingwood.ca or 705-445-1030
Application Fees: Our flat fee is non-refundable and payable upon submission of the application. The contingency deposit fee is reconciled and the balance is returned at the request of the payor. Consult the Treasury Departments landing page for the current Fees & Charges https://www.collingwood.ca/council-government/budget-taxes/fees-charges