Planning

Land use planning is the process of managing growth in order to meet the community’s needs and to address challenges associated with development. The goal of the planning process is to build complete and healthy communities through the efficient use of land. Planning and development affect many aspects of our community such as housing, transportation, infrastructure, municipal services, parks and recreation, cultural and natural heritage, and economic growth.

The Government of Ontario sets out the ground rules and directions for land use planning through the Planning Act and the Provincial Planning Statement. The County of Frontenac provides planning services to the Township of North Frontenac.

The Township's Official Plan and Zoning By-law outline specific conditions and requirements for development. Property owners may apply for an amendment to the Township's Official Plan or Zoning By-law to be considered by North Frontenac Council.

Planning Inquiries

Please complete the Planning Intake Form with as much detail as possible to help staff understand the nature of your request and provide guidance accordingly.  A response to your inquiry will be provided within 3 to 5 business days. Please note the intake form is not a planning application.

Planning Intake Form

Types of Planning Applications

Application for Minor Variance

A Minor Variance is an application to request a small change or permission from the specific requirements of the Township's Zoning By-law. The variance can relate to the land; building or structure; of the use of the building or structure. The Committee of Adjustment makes the decisions on all Minor Variance applications. 

Examples of a Minor Variance include:

• New buildings or additions to existing buildings where the proposal does not comply with one or more requirements of the zoning by-law
• New accessory buildings such as garages and sheds where the proposal does not comply with one or more requirements of the zoning by-law
• Enlargement, extension or change of use to any legal non-conforming building

Note: If a Minor Variance is required for a proposed development, the application must be approved and finalized before any required building permit(s) can be issued.

Application for Consent

A consent refers to the formal permission given by a municipality in relation to changes to a property. An application for Consent is required for severances (creation of new lots); lot additions; easements/rights-of-way; and to register or discharge mortgages.

An application for consent may be considered and approved by Township staff under Delegated Approval ; or by the Committee of Adjustment. 

Application for Official Plan Amendment/Zoning By-law Amendment

An Official Plan Amendment (OPA) is the process through which the Township approves changes to policies and/or designations within the Official Plan. If a property owner wants to develop a property in a way that is not permitted in the Official Plan, an OPA is required.

A Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBLA) is the process through which the Township approves changes to how lands are used for specific purposes. If a property owner wants to develop a property in a way that is not permitted in the Zoning By-law, a ZBLA is required.

North Frontenac Council is the approval authority for Official Plan Amendment applications and Zoning By-law Amendment applications.

Need more information?

Please submit your request through the Planning Intake Form above; or contact the Township's Planning Department

Telephone: (613) 479-2231 ext. 231

Email: deputyclerk@northfrontenac.ca 

Planning Application Fees and Payment Options

The fees for planning processes and applications can be found in the Township's Fees and Charges By-law.

The following payment options are available:

• Debit, Cheque or Cash in person at the Municipal Office at 6648 Road 506, Plevna
• Cheque made payable to the Township of North Frontenac via mail or drop box at the Municipal Office - please clearly identify the location of the project/owner with the payment
• Etransfer to the Treasury Department - please contact planning staff for further details