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Apply for a preliminary zoning review

A preliminary zoning review is an analysis of plans (site plan, floor plan and elevations) to determine if they comply with the City’s Zoning By-law.

This process is only available for proposals that don’t require a building permit, zoning certificate of occupancy or planning approval.  For all other proposals, zoning comments will be provided through the appropriate approval process.

When the review is complete, you’ll be able to view a project status report that will show instances of non-compliance with the by-law and/or requests for more information. As this is not intended to be the process through which comments are resolved, you can only make one resubmission before the file is closed.

If an additional review is still required after that, you will need to submit a new preliminary zoning review application.

A preliminary zoning application review is for information purposes only. It is not a building permit application and does not enable you to begin construction. It does not constitute a formal approval of any sort.

Before you begin any construction you should determine if you need a building permit.

How to apply

  1. Submit your application online through the ePlans portal using the “Zoning Application” request type.
  2. In the “proposed business operation” field, enter “Preliminary Zoning Review Only – [Scope of Work]”.

For more information please check ePlans help and support.

Required drawings and documents

You’ll need to upload the following drawings and documents as part of your request.

Site plan

All measurements must be in metric. The site plan must include the following:

  • Address
  • Property lines (dimensioned)
  • Outline of existing building(s) and other structures, all labelled
  • Outline of proposed work shown hatched and labelled
  • Overall dimensions of existing and proposed structures
  • Setbacks from property lines to proposed addition
  • Site statistics

Floor plans

  • Interior and exterior dimensions
  • Existing and proposed work labelled or otherwise identified
  • All rooms labelled indicating the use

Elevations

  • Dimension of eave overhang
  • Location of openings (windows and doors)
  • Height dimensions

Letter of use

  • Outlining the project scope and proposed use in detail

Fees

The application will cost $500. You can pay this fee within ePlans.

A $20 fee will be collected when you submit your request online. The balance will be collected once your request passes prescreening.

Contact us

If you need more information, please call 311 (905-615-4311 outside City limits).