Community Planning

The Community Planning branch provides recommendations to Regional Planning Committee and Council on applications to amend the Regional Official Plan and amendments to area municipality Official Plans, and provides comments to the area municipalities on subdivision and condominium applications. Many of the procedures carried out by the Community Planning branch are outlined in the Ontario Planning Act.

Depending on the type of application, the approval timeframe varies. For details on the approval processes follow the appropriate links:

• Regional Official Plan Amendments (initiated by private sector parties)

• Local Official Plan Amendments

• Subdivision Approval Process – Draft Plan Approval Stage

• Subdivision Approval Process – Final Plan Approval Stage

An application to approve a plan of subdivision is made to the local municipality. The application is forwarded to the Regional Community Planning branch by staff from the local municipality. The steps involved in obtaining approval are indicated in the subdivision draft plan approval process flow chart.

Forms to apply for an amendment to the Regional Official Plan are available from the York Region Planning and Development Services Department or on-line (forms).

Other forms are available through your local municipal planning department (follow the links to your local municipality web-site from the left margin).

York Region Planning and Development Services Department does not issue building permits. Building permits are administered by the local municipality. For more information, follow the links to your local municipality web-site from the left margin.

The various approval processes can take from one month to several months to complete. Timing depends on the complexity of issues, how diligent an applicant is in providing the necessary background materials, and whether there are any objections to the application.

Regional fees for processing development applications vary depending on the type of application. In addition to processing fees, Regional development charges are levied against successful applications to help pay for the provision of services.  A Planning Fees 2008-2010 By-law came into effect on February 1, 2008.

The Planning Committee is composed of elected representatives from Regional Council. It makes recommendations to Council on development applications after reviewing staff recommendations. Planning Committee will often listen to deputations from interested parties when it meets.