Email this pagePlanning and Application Resource Centre

Welcome to the Provincial Planning and Application Resource Centre. Your source for information and tools on land use planning in Ontario.

This resource centre is brought to you by the One Window Provincial Planning Service - a collaboration of 8 partner ministries.

These pages are designed to make it easier for you to:

Find resources and guidance materials that may help you prepare your land use planning application, including required background studies.

Access planning application forms where the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) is the planning approval authority.

Obtain information on the provincial land use planning system including provincial interests in Ontario

Browse Land Use Planning Resources

• Resources include: general land use planning information, related legislation, provincial plans, tools, guides, technical manuals and more.
• Topics include: agriculture, brownfields, municipal planning, natural heritage, transportation, water, and much more!

Applying for a Planning Approval

Who makes a decision on my planning application?

The planning approval authority will make a decision on your application.

• Planning approval authorities vary depending on the location and the type of planning application. In regions and most counties, approvals may be needed at both the regional/county and local municipal level.
• Contact your municipality to determine who is the planning approval authority for your particular planning application. You may find it helpful to access the list of municipal websites compiled by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
• For information on planning approval authorities please access this chart which provides an overview of where planning approval authority rests with respect to the approval of official plans and amendments, subdivisions, condominiums, consents, power of sales and validations.

How do I get started?

• It is very important to consult with the planning approval authority at the beginning of the planning process before submitting an application, and in a growing number of municipalities it is a requirement.
• Pre-consultation will ensure you are aware of what information and supporting materials may be required, and what provincial and local interests may need to be addressed as part of your application. Providing complete information when you submit an application will ensure timely consideration of the application.
• Where your municipality is the planning approval authority, contact them to discuss your application and arrange for pre-consultation. You may find it helpful to access the list of municipal websites compiled by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
• Where the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is the planning approval authority contact your nearest MMAH Regional Municipal Services Office to discuss your application and arrange for pre-consultation.
• In some parts of northern Ontario, there are lands in unincorporated areas (not within any municipal boundary). Contact your nearest MMAH regional Municipal Services Office to determine who the planning approval authority is for your application.

Overview of Planning Application Approvals and links to forms where MMAH is the Approval Authority

About Ontario's Land Use Planning System

Includes information on:

• What is the planning application process?
• What is the Planning Act?
• How are provincial interests protected and what is the Provincial Policy Statement?
• Related Legislation
• Provincial Plans
• About Appeals of Planning Decisions

Important for you to Know

1. You will find resources in PDF format, HTML or both
2. Clicking on some resources will take you to other ministry, government agency or external websites where the information is posted
3. The resources are intended to provide you with general information only and are not an interpretation of the Planning Act or any other act. Please read the disclaimer

Frequently Asked Questions