Land Use Planning Services
Access the secure Cityview Portal 24/7 for submitting planning application forms and proposals. The Portal accepts credit card payments. Learn more about the Development Review Process.
The Town of Collingwood (TOC) has a Servicing Capacity Allocation Policy commonly referred to as SCAP to manage how servicing capacity for water is allocated in a sustainable, transparent, and responsible manner. Minor and low-risk applications will be exempted from the SCAP process. Please visit Engage Collingwood for more information.
Land Use Planning
The Planning Division provides services regarding the Official Plan and Zoning By-law documents for the Town of Collingwood, exercising control over the subdivision of land, and indirectly by providing municipal services and pursuing municipal policies that support and reinforce the land use planning objectives of the Municipality and the County of Simcoe. The Planning Division accepts, on behalf of Council, proposed changes to land use and coordinates the review and approval process. Visit the Provincial Government website regarding Land Use Planning for resources to plan for municipal growth and development including information about Ontario’s Greenbelt and the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Learn about the vision, laws, policies, and processes for land use in Ontario.
Staff Delegated Approval for Site Plan Control and Condominium Exemptions
Service Capacity Allocation Policy
Mapping Information
Land Use Planning Interactive Map
This map provides the Official Plan, Zoning By-Law, Development Activity, and Heritage Properties information.
Development Community e-Newsletter
Interested in how Collingwood is growing? Subscribe to the Development Community e-newsletter, intended for those who work in the development industry - builders, developers, businesses, etc. Anyone interested in receiving updates regarding development in Collingwood is welcome to subscribe.
Meetings and Attending the Office
It is strongly encouraged that if an in-person meeting with staff is requested, a meeting is scheduled with the pertinent staff member prior to attending the office. Virtual meetings will be scheduled using either Microsoft Teams or ZOOM. Please email planning@collingwood.ca to request a meeting, including the topic and agenda for your meeting.
Comments
The comments above are made to the best of the Town's 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 email to planning@collingwood.ca
Planning Act Notification
Individuals who make written submissions with respect to a Planning Act application should be aware that their submission (comments) and any personal information in their correspondence will become part of the public record (file) 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 the community over the next 20 years.
The Plan is the guide for managing where, when, and how the Town should grow. Visit Engage Collingwood for details.
Planning Act Notification
Individuals who make written submissions with respect to a Planning Act application must be aware that their submission (comments) and any personal information in their correspondence will become part of the public record (file) which is available to the Public, and made available to the Applicant, Committee and Council.
Acknowledgments of the Planning Act, Public Information, and Deposits on Account
The Owner, Applicant, and / or Agent acknowledges and agrees that: All costs incurred by the Municipality processing applications 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 and 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 or applicant. Further, All planning application proposal support materials must conform to the W3C’s WCAG 2.0 Level AA. This includes all submission materials for technical review including documents, plans, and multimedia content, for all statutory public meetings of Council and open houses. These materials may be posted to our Town of Collingwood Proposed Major Developments landing page and may be circulated for third-party reviews.
Notification of the Planning Act and Freedom of Information
Planning Application including Site Plan Control and Plan and Radio Communication
Planning Application Form including Land Sales, Easements, and Encroachments
Planning Application Form including Deeming By-Law, Part-Lot Control, and Parking Exemptions Deeming By-law
Committee of Adjustment including Minor Variances and Consents
Heritage Tax Refund Program (including Schedule A)
Questions about these procedures should be directed to Planning Services by email planning@collingwood.ca or by phone 705-445-1030.
Application Fees
The 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 Department landing page for the current Fees & Charges.
Development Application Review Process
The Municipal Act authorizes 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 the municipal boundaries and The Official Plan designates all lands within the Town of Collingwood as a Site Plan Control area.
Your development may or may not be subject to Development Charges for sanitary sewers and water servicing, which 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 that allows you to submit your building permit electronically. The Building Department administers the Street Naming Policy and Civic Addressing By-law 2014-028. For questions, please contact the Building Department by email at building@collingwood.ca
The Planning Act (the Act) is provincial legislation that sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario and how it affects the Town of Collingwood (TOC). The Act describes how land uses may be controlled, and who may control them. The Ontario Government has a useful guide that outlines the role of municipalities within the province. It outlines the process of planning application proposals (planning applications) and how planning applications must be processed. This video outlines the structure and levels of Government in Canada.
The TOC is a lower-tier municipality and therefore has prescribed legal powers and responsibilities. This website outlines the organization of Municipalities in Ontario.
Citizen's Guide to land use planning
"Upon Appeal, The OLT adjudicates or mediates matters related to land use planning, environmental and natural features and heritage protection, land valuation, land compensation, municipal finance, and related matters."
When an appeal has been 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 that both must follow.
Any questions can be asked to the OLT Coordinator assigned to the case.
The Appeals Process with the OLT
Ontario Land Tribunal Case Status
Ontario Land Tribunal E-Decisions
(Land use planning, The Planning Department, planning processes in Ontario, Planning Act, OLT, Ontario Land Tribunal)
The service OnLand Properties Records Portal provides legal documents associated with properties that have been registered on the Title of a piece of land including a Surveyor's Real Property Report (Survey).
OnLand is an online information source from the Ontario Land Registration and Writs system. This site provides access to official, property-related information and documents.
Interactive County of Simcoe Map
The County of Simcoe has a tool that enables users to look up an address, use measurement tools, and locate property lines. 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, surveyor, or the Onland Registry Office in Barrie.
This brochure is provided to you compliments of:
Credit: Robert Aaron, Lawyer President of the Ontario Real Estate Lawyers Association (© Copyright: Association of Ontario Land Surveyors, 2002)
Planning Services administers the Zoning Certificate process and most building permits require a Zoning Certificate as part of a full submission. Visit this page for more information.
- The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)
- County of Simcoe
- Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority
- Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
- Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
- Growth Plan for Golden Horseshoe
- Provincial Land Use Policy Information
- Ontario Land Use Tribunal (OLT)
- A Citizen's Guide to Land Use Planning
Please use your printer dialogue settings to choose ledger-sized paper. The Town no longer produces development activity maps. The most current information is here.
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
The definition of Short-Term Accommodation pertains to anything rented for less than 30 days. Short-Term occupation is allowed in an Owner-Occupied Bed and Breakfast and the provisions of the Zoning By-law 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 online application referred to as Airbnb is not affiliated with the rules and or regulations of the Town of Collingwood. It is a stand-alone web-based platform.
The Town has been reviewing the rules and definitions for Short-Term Accommodations. Please visit Engage Collingwood for updates and current information regarding the Short-Term Accommodation By-law.
Amending Zoning By-law No. 2018-017 implements policy changes in the Official Plan (OPA#33) allowing greater opportunities for secondary suites, including accessory apartments and second units. Examples include coach houses, garden suites, and an apartment within a home.
Review the By-law for the provisions.
Review the Building Services Accessory Apartment Building Permit & Approvals Guide.
Comments:
The comments above are made to the best of the Town's 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. Please contact Planning Services at planning@collingwood.ca or 705-445-1030 extension 3714.
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.
A Place to Grow
Click the button below to review the Province of Ontario 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.
Click the button below to review the Province of Ontario's land use planning legislative policies.
The Province of Ontario and Land Use Planning Legislative Policies
Collingwood's Zoning By-law is updated as the need arises. Collingwood's Zoning By-law provides information about set backs from property lines, lot coverage, uses of a property, and more.
A Zoning By-law controls the use of land in your community. It states exactly:
- How land may be used
- Where buildings and other structures can be located
- The types of buildings that are permitted and how they may be used
- The lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights and densities (the number of people, jobs, and building floor area per hectare), and setbacks from the street.
An Official Plan outlines a Municipality’s general policy for future land use. Zoning By-laws put the plan into effect and provide the day-to-day administration. They contain specific requirements that are legally enforceable. Construction or new development that doesn’t comply with a Zoning By-law is not permitted, and the municipality will not issue a building permit.
Many municipalities have a comprehensive Zoning By-law that divides the municipality into different land use zones, with detailed maps. The Zoning By-law specifies the permitted uses (e.g., commercial or residential) and the required standards (e.g., building size and location) in each zone.