Step 3: Prepare Your Application
1. Gather property information. Start by identifying your property details, including zoning and relevant planning information. This will be required for your submission. Find your zoning and property information online.
2. Speak with Planning Services. Connect with Planning Services staff to discuss your proposal. They will help determine the appropriate application type. Pre-consultation is strongly recommended for a thorough and accurate review. Request a pre-consultation online.
3. Submit your application on time. Applications must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the desired hearing date.
Upcoming Hearing Dates
Hearings take place in Council Chambers at City Hall at 2:00 p.m.
The schedule below is tentative and may change due to statutory holidays, bookings by higher priority parties or member availability.
2026 Hearing Schedule
Dates are provided to help applicants plan submissions. Only complete applications that meet all requirements and have received payment will be scheduled for a hearing.
| Hearing Date |
Minimum Submission Deadline (six weeks prior to hearing as of July) |
| August 27 |
July 19 |
| September 24 |
August 13 |
| October 29 |
September 17 |
| November 26 |
October 15 |
| December 17 (tentative) |
November 5 |
Minimum Submission Requirements
To be accepted for review, your submission must include:
- A complete application form
- A clear and accurate site plan that meets all listed requirements (legible, to scale, and dimensioned in metric units)
- Proof of ownership
- If the owner and/or applicant is a corporation, a Corporate Profile/Report is required to identify who has signing authority. Visit the Ontario Business Registry for more information.
More complex proposals may require additional information to support your proposal such as Archaeological Assessments, Hydrogeological Studies, Environmental Impact Assessments, Parking or Traffic Impact Studies. These can be identified through Pre-consultation.
Submission Review and Application Completion
Acceptance of a submission does not mean the application is complete or that a hearing date has been assigned.
All submissions are reviewed by Planning Services staff to confirm that the application materials, including the site plan, accurately reflect the proposal. Feedback will be provided outlining any required revisions. Applicants may revise and re-submit materials as needed.
Only applications that are deemed complete will be scheduled for a hearing. The deadline for submitting a complete application is three weeks prior to the hearing date. Applications that remain incomplete after this deadline will not be scheduled.
Payment and Finalization
Payment will be requested once your submission review is complete. An application will only be considered complete after payment has been received. Review application fees.
Decision Timelines (Planning Act)
Once an application is deemed complete, the Planning Act sets timelines for when a decision must be made:
- Minor Variance applications
- Decision within 30 days of a complete application
- Consent to Sever applications
- Decision within 90 days of a complete application
If a decision is not made within these timelines, the applicant may appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal for non-decision.
Before appealing a non-decision
In many cases, appealing a non-decision may take longer than proceeding through the municipal review process to the next available hearing date. Planning Services staff continue to work with applicants to address outstanding issues and bring applications forward for a decision as quickly as possible.
Why Completeness Matters
Meeting submission requirements and deadlines allows staff to properly review applications, notify the public, and provide the Committee with the information required to make informed decisions. Incomplete or inaccurate applications may result in delays, deferrals, or unfavourable decisions.
Submit other planning applications
Use the sections below to identify the correct application type and download forms, requirements, and instructions.
Not sure which application you need? Contact Planning Services or request a pre-consultation before applying.
