Planning Applications

A Site Plan Approval application is a required process for most residential or commercial developments, including major building renovations or additions. The purpose of the application is to review and coordinate features of the site such as impact on surrounding lands, parking, placement of buildings, stormwater management, grading and drainage, etc.

Site Plan approval ensures Haldimand County’s design requirements are met.

• Site Plan Approval application (PDF)
• Site Plan Waiver Approval application (PDF)

An Official Plan Amendment is required in situations where the proposed use, though generally consistent with the Provincial policy, is not permitted in the Haldimand County's Official Plan.

Learn more about the process of applying for an Official Plan Amendment.

• Official Plan Amendment application (PDF)

A Plan of Subdivision application is a proposal to subdivide land into two or more parcels. A Plan of Subdivision application includes how the property has been subdivided, information and conditions on how to develop a parcel of land, and details on roads and related infrastructure.

You can use lots of blocks created by a Plan of Subdivision for various purposes, such as residential or commercial use, based on the designation of the land within the Official Plan and Zoning By-law.

• Plan of Subdivision application (PDF)

An application for a Plan of Condominium is required before you create and then sell individual condominium units. This applies to all types of condominiums including standard condominiums, vacant land condominiums, common-elements condominiums or the conversion of an existing use from rental to condominium.

• Plan of Condominium application (PDF)

In most situations, a Zoning By-law Amendment is required when the intended use, though generally in line with the Official Plan policy, is not specifically permitted under the current zoning. This can be used to change the zoning of the land or add special provisions to the zoning designation for a property.

If your proposed change is minor and only differs slightly from the provisions, you may be able to apply for a Minor Variance instead. Please speak with Planning Staff to discuss this alternative.

• Zoning By-law Amendment application (PDF)

A Temporary Use By-law application is a type of Zoning By-law Amendment. It is meant to enact temporary use of land for a purpose otherwise prohibited by the Zoning By-law. The County may enact Temporary Use By-laws for:

• A separate housing unit, such as a garden suite.
• Unfamiliar or uncommon uses on a trial basis.
• And/or where it is known that the use will be established for a brief, defined period.

To apply for a Temporary Use By-law, you must submit a Zoning By-law Amendment and applicable fees. Visit our Zoning page to learn more.

If a Temporary Use By-law has been granted, you may apply for an extension. Please contact the Planning Team to see if this is applicable. 

• Extension to Temporary Use application (PDF)

Part Lot Control regulates the sale or transfer of part of a lot or block within a registered plan of subdivision.

A Part Lot Control Exemption application is required where multiple lots are to be created out of a registered plan of subdivision for sale, and lot creation via severances is considered unnecessary. It is usually used for semi-detached or townhouse developments to accurately set the boundary lines between the units. 

• Part Lot Control Extension application (PDF)

We offer a Front End Financing initiative. This initiative was implemented to assist developers of employment-generating projects in financing the upfront costs of constructing municipal infrastructure necessary to facilitate development in areas not currently serviced.

To learn more about this initiative and see if your development qualifies, please contact our Planning Department.