What are YOU looking for?
If you are looking for information on planning on Crown Lands, visit the Ministry of Natural Resources website for more information.
If you are looking for information for planning on private lands, continue through the list below:
MMAH Land Use Planning Publications
General provincial information about municipal land use planning in Ontario. Are you looking for a plain-language version of the legislation? Read the Citizens' Guides to Land-use Planning and information on the provincial One Window Provincial Planning Service and Municipal Plan Review approaches to municipal land use planning in Ontario. Learn more about municipal tools for planning and development.
Municipal Tools for Planning and Development
Learn more about municipal tools for planning and development, including planning for railway safety and reviewing plans of subdivision for accessibility.
Brownfields
Looking for information on how municipalities can assist in redeveloping brownfields? Case studies, information and other related sites.
Cleaner Air Strategies
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has produced two companion handbooks on air quality and climate change. These handbooks provide information for local government officials, decision makers and other individuals on strategies and best practices to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and other air pollutants.
Wind Power
Wind power is a renewable energy source with the potential to be a commercially viable source of energy in Ontario. Municipalities across the province are exploring the economic development opportunities of wind energy. One way of preparing for wind energy is by building community support and developing clear land use policies. Within this framework, wind energy can represent an opportunity for economic, social and environmental benefits in many of Ontario's communities.
Nutrient Management
The Nutrient Management Act received Royal Assent on June 27, 2002. The Act deals with the management of materials containing nutrients. This includes provisions for the development of strong new standards for all land-applied materials containing nutrients, a proposal to ban the land application of untreated septage over a five-year period, and proposed strong new requirements such as: the review and approval of nutrient management plans, certification of land applicators and a new registry system for all land applications.
The Act provides a comprehensive nutrient management framework for Ontario's agricultural industry, municipalities and other generators of materials containing nutrients, including clear environmental protection guidelines. It builds on the existing system by giving current best management practices the force of law, and creating comprehensive, enforceable, province-wide standards to regulate the management of all land-applied materials containing nutrients.
Places to Grow
Together, we're managing infrastructure and growth in Ontario for personal and economic well-being. In all communities, we're looking at how we can create a safe and clean environment and protect basic human needs. We are providing a new approach to promoting growth in ways that create a strong economy, strong communities and a healthy environment.
Hydro Corridors Secondary Land Use Project
The Reliable Energy and Consumer Protection Act, 2000 received royal assent on June 27, 2002. It allowed the transfer of ownership of approximately 50,000 acres of electric power transmission corridor lands from Hydro One to the province of Ontario. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing leads a provincial planning exercise to identify and link potential inter-regional long-term, linear public secondary uses on these corridors.
Watershed-Based Source Protection Planning
As part of its strategy to protect Ontario’s drinking water from source to tap, the government released draft legislation on the development and approval of watershed-based source protection plans.
These links will bring you to the planning related information that is currently available online from these partner ministries. There are other resources that are not available online at this time and this list should not be taken as an exhaustive list of all planning resources related to Municipal Plan Review.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Ministry of Natural Resources
Understanding Natural Hazards
Ministry of Environment
Find valuable information regarding MOE programs (including water related programs) legislation, regulations and initiatives on the Ministry of the Environment website.
The Ministry of Environment divides its publications into four separate catalogues:
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs – Land Use Planning Links, including:
Ministry of Culture – Land Use Planning Links
Ministry of Transportation – Land Use Planning Links
Conservation Authorities in the Northeast:
Health Units in the Northeast:
Planning Act
One of the primary legislative tools in municipal land-use planning is the Planning Act. Follow this link to read the text of the Planning Act. Regulations under the Planning Act related to the following areas are found in the links below:
Provincial Policy Statement (PPS)
The Provincial Policy Statement is the complimentary policy document to the Planning Act. It provides policy direction to decision makers on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development. The Planning Act requires that the Provincial Policy Statement be reviewed periodically to make sure its policies are still effective. The new Provincial Policy Statement (2005) takes effect March 1, 2005.
The Strong Communities (Planning Amendment) Act, 2004 (Bill 26)
The Act received Royal Assent on November 30, 2004. It puts the public first, by opening up the planning process by allowing more time for public scrutiny, boosting environmental protection and better protecting the public interest.
Ontario Building Code
Receive information on how to obtain copies of the Ontario Building Code here.
Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR)
The EBR makes it possible for the public to participate in government decision-making on matters that could affect the environment.
e-laws
You can search all current Consolidated Law, Source Law and Annual Consolidations.
Canadian Institute of Planners
Working on behalf of planners and the planning profession, CIP serves as the national voice of Canada’s planning community.
Economic Development Council of Ontario (EDCO)
EDCO is a independent, non-profit, incorporated association of persons engaged in economic development.
Ontario Association of Committees of Adjustment & Consent Authorities (OACA)
The Ontario Association of Committees of Adjustment and Consent Authorities (OACA), Primer on Planning Course is offered by correspondence through the AMCTO office. The course provides an overview of the land use planning process in Ontario.
Ontario Professional Planners Institute
As the recognized voice of Ontario's planning profession, OPPI interfaces with many government bodies, not-for-profit associations, stakeholders and the public.
Regional Planning Commissioners of Ontario
The Regional Planning Commissioners of Ontario (RPCO) is a group of senior officials from upper- and single tier municipal governments across Ontario. They meet bi-monthly to discuss planning issues of mutual interest, and advocate positions on behalf of the member municipalities to provincial and federal governments.