Planning and Development

Before applying for a Zoning By-law Amendment Application, applicant’s must apply for a Pre-Consultation Meeting. Learn more about Pre-Consultation Meetings.

What is the Zoning By-law?

The Township of Puslinch zoning by-law governs the way land in the Township is used in the following ways:

• 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 size and dimensions, lot coverage, building height, and setbacks; and
• shoreline buffer areas, landscaping areas, planting strips, parking requirements.

What is a Zoning By-law Amendment?

If a proposed use is not permitted in the zone for a property, or if the standards of that zone can’t be met by a proposed development, an application for a zoning by-law amendment may be needed to change or amend the existing zoning. A zoning by-law amendment is a by-law passed by the Township and is a public process.

It is recommended that applicants retain a planning consultant prior to submitting a zoning by-law amendment application in order to meet the requirements of a complete application.

What is the Zoning By-law Amendment Process?

Coming Soon! View the process outline for standard zoning by-law amendment applications.

Application Fee

Application fees are listed in the User Fees and Charges By-law on the By-laws page.

(subject to third party cost recovery)

Application and Supporting Information

• Application for zoning by-law amendment
• Township of Puslinch Comprehensive Zoning By-law
• Zoning by-law guidelines sheet
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Citizen’s Guide to Land Use Planning

Before applying for a Minor Variance application it is recommended that applicant’s contact staff about our Pre-Consultation Meeting process to determine if a meeting is necessary.

What is a Minor Variance?

If your proposed change doesn’t conform exactly to the zoning by-law, but follows its general intent, you can apply for a minor variance. For example, you might want to locate something on your property, but you are unable to meet the minimum setback requirements because of the shape of your lot.

Minor Variance applications are considered by the Committee of Adjustment (also known in the Township of Puslinch as the Planning and Development Advisory Committee).

The Four Minor Variance Tests

When considering a minor variance application, the Committee will apply four tests, as outlined in the Planning Act, to determine if the minor variance should be approved:

1. Is the application minor in nature?
2. Is it desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land, building or structure?
3. Is it in keeping with the general intent and purpose of the Zoning By-law?
4. Is it in keeping with the general intent and purpose of the Office Plan?

Types of Minor Variance Applications

There are two types of minor variance applications: Type 1 and Type 2. Click each type for a list of what is included.

What is the Minor Variance Application Process?

Coming Soon! View the process outline for standard minor variance applications.

Application Fee

Application fees are listed in the User Fees and Charges By-law on the By-laws page.

Application and Supporting Information

• Application for a Minor Variance
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Citizen’s Guide to Land Use Planning

Before applying for a Site Plan Control Application, applicant’s must apply for a Pre-Consultation Meeting. Learn more about Pre-Consultation Meetings.

What is Site Plan Control?

A site plan approval application is required for commercial, industrial, and institutional development proposals to:

• construct a new building or structure;
• construct an addition to an existing building or structure; and/or,
• undertake major siteworks.

Site plan control is regulated by the Township’s Site Plan Control By-law.

Site Plan Control Application and Agreement

Site Plan Control Application and Agreements may include:

• Site works associated with the change of use of an existing building;
• parking lot modifications, outdoor patios, landscape work and the placement of accessory building and structures;
• minor revisions or building additions to existing commercial, industrial or residential developments;
• requirement of technical studies (e.g. storm water management, geotechnical, hydrological, environmental impact assessment, etc.); and/or,
• a new development or major additions/alterations to an existing development or site design.

Community Improvement Plan

In March 2016, the Township adopted a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Aberfoyle and Morriston corridor (referred to in the plan as “Our Corridor”), as well as the Brock Road mixed-use industrial area. The CIP supports the revitalization, beautification, renewal, and economic activity in the the Township’s urban corridor. The CIP is intended to serve as a long-term framework that will be implemented over the next fifteen years. Specifically, during this time it is anticipated that the CIP will:

• Stimulate investment in privately owned land and building by providing financial assistance to property owners and tenants; and,
• Focus municipal resources on programs, studies, and other initiatives that will contribute to the overall improvement of Our Corridor.

Property owners may be eligible to apply for grant funding for development projects with this corridor. Click here to learn more about the CIP and grant funding opportunities.

What is the Site Plan Control Application Process?

Coming Soon! View the process outline for site plan control applications.

Application Fee

Application fees are listed in the User Fees and Charges By-law on the By-laws page.

(subject to third party cost recovery)

Application and Supporting Information

• Application for Site Plan Control
• Site Plan Control By-law
• Our Corridor Community Improvement Plan
• Puslinch Design Guidelines
• Puslinch Municipal Development Standards

The Township uses an online portal call Cloudpermit for building permit applications. For information relating to building and demolition permits visit our Building and Renovation page.

What is Site Alteration?

The Township’s Site Alteration By-law regulates the movement of fill within the Township. The by-law controls site alteration activities, such as the changing of grade on your or your neighbour’s property, and the removal or dumping of large amounts of soil, rock, or other materials that would alter drainage conditions.

Effective August 13, 2015, the Township has placed a moratorium to restrict site alteration projects to no more than 1000m³.

All imported fill and soils regraded or distributed on any lands shall not have any chemical qualities or compounds that are greater than the native material on the site.

There should be no degradation of existing soil quality and groundwater quality as a result of the site alteration.

Some properties may be subject to additional regulatory permits (including but not limited to conservation authority, Ministry of Transportation, Source Water Protection and, or Ministry of Environment approvals).

What is the Site Alteration Permit Application Process?

Coming Soon! View the process outline for site alteration permit applications.

Application Fee

Application fees are listed in the User Fees and Charges By-law on the By-laws page.

(subject to third party cost recovery including but not limited to Township Engineering peer review fees)

Application and Supporting Information

• Site Alteration By-law 2022-01 (Consolidation)
• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ (OMAFRA) Citizen’s Guide to the Normal Farm Practices Protection Board
• Ontario Environmental Protection Act
• Site Alteration Permit Application

What is an Entrance Permit?

An Entrance Permit is required to install or change an entrance onto private property off of a public road. The purpose of an Entrance Permit is to ensure safe access to and from the property, and to maintain existing drainage.

If the property is on a County-owned roadway a County Entrance Permit and approval is required.

If the property is on a Townline roadway, contact the Township Office to confirm which municipality is required to grant approval for the entrance permit.

Safe Access for Active Consent Applications

If safe access is required as a condition of an active consent application, a Safe Access Clearance is required.

Application Fee

Application fees are listed in the User Fees and Charges By-law on the By-laws page.

Application and Supporting Information

• Application for Entrance Permit
• Entrance Permit By-law

The Township of Puslinch requires every Site Plan Control Applicant and Zoning By-law Amendment Applicant to submit a Pre-Consultation Application in accordance with the Mandatory Pre-Consultation By-law 2022-054.

Applicants submitting a Minor Variance Application are encouraged to contact staff to determine if a Pre-Consultation Application is recommended.

Pre-Consultations will help identify:

• what types of planning applications may be necessary, such as minor variance, zoning by-law amendments, official plan amendment, site plan control, or subdivision/condominium applications;
• any required plans, studies or information required to submit a complete application; and,
• feedback from interested agencies or public bodies (such as the Ministry of Transportation, local conservation authority, Township and County staff).

The Pre-Consultation Application is intended to streamline processes by assisting applicants in determining submission requirements early in the process thereby reducing the number of incomplete and premature applications.

What is the Pre-Consultation Process?

Pre-Consultations are held in two stages:

Pre-consultation Stage 1

An in person meeting with the applicant and Township staff, regulatory agencies and Township Consultants to determine a list of require documents for the proposal.

Pre-consultation Stage 2

Should the applicant choose to proceed with their proposal, the applicant shall submit the required list of documents for an initial circulation to Township staff, regulatory agencies and Township Consultants for review and preparation of formal written comments, which will be provided to the applicant.

Pre-consultation Schedule

Pre-consultation meetings will be held on the 3^rd Thursday of each month. For submissions deadlines view the Pre-Consultation Schedule. Submissions received after the deadline will be moved to the following month.

Application Fee

Application fees are listed in the User Fees and Charges By-law on the By-laws page.

Application and Supporting Information

• Pre-Consultation Meeting Application