Planning and Zoning

Land Use Planning

Land-use planning is an essential step in managing our land and resources. It helps the community shape how it will grow and develop. It also accomodates important social, economic and environmental concerns that often conflict with eachother. Without planning it would be impossible to balance the interests of individual property owners with the wider objectives of the whole community.

Good planning leads to orderly growth and the efficient provision of services. It helps decide where our community's residential, agricultural and business developments should be located. It also involves planning where parks, schools and other essential services should be provided. It directly effects us all and helps organize our community in a logical manner.

Two of the tools used to plan land-use are the Official Plan, and the Zoning By-law.

Official Plan

An Official Plan is a document through which policies for the planning and development of the municipality are described. It is prepared using input from the community and helps ensure that future planning and development meets their needs. An official plan deals with issues such as:

* Where new housing, industry, offices and shops will be located;

* What services like roads, watermains, sewers, parks and schools are needed; and

* When, and in what order, parts of the community will grow

The Official Plan for the Township of Perth South is the same as the County of Perth's Official Plan.

Zoning By-law

The Zoning By-law of the municipality implements the policies of the Official Plan. It controls the use of land by dividing the municipality into different land-use zones. The Zoning By-law specifies exactly:
* 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; and
* The lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights and setbacks from the street.

Click here for the Perth South Consolidated Zoning By-law as of July 1, 2024

Amendments to Official Plan/Zoning By-law

Proposals for amendments to the Official Plan must conform with the Provincial Policy Statement.

Furthermore, proposals for amendments to the Zoning By-law must conform with the Official Plan. Where such proposals do not conform to the Official Plan, applicants can also apply to amend the Official Plan.

Council decisions on Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment applications are based on reasonableness, land use compatibility, servicing, and need.

For further information, you can view the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs website for a series of Citizens' Guides to Land-use Planning

Site Plan Control

Site Plan Control Guidelines

Site Plan Application

Application Forms

For information on the Plan of Subdivision or Condominium process please go to the Perth County Planning and Development site.
Application for Consent to Sever
Application for Minor Variance or Permission
Application for Zoning Bylaw Amendment or Local Official Plan Amendment
Application for Exemption from Part Lot Control
Please see our fee schedules (Building and Planning Fees Schedule; Perth South Fees Schedule) for applicable fees.

Municipal Class Environmental Assessments

The Environmental Assessment (EA) process is a planning tool used to identify the possible adverse effects of proposed infrastructure projects on the environment. The Ontario Environmental Assessment Act requires Ontario municipalities to complete an EA when undertaking capital works projects.

By eliminating or reducing the effects on the environment, the municipality can avoid expensive, and sometimes, controversial, remedial action once the project has been completed. Over the long term, environmental assessment provides decision makers with the kind of information they need to approve projects that are suitable with a healthy, sustainable environment for both present and future generations.

For general information on the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment please see the document Municipal Class Environmental Assessment 101

Current Municipal Class Environmental Assessments in Progress

Settlement Area of Sebringville - Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Water and Wastewater Studies