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Planning and Development

The Planning Division is responsible for the administration, review and processing of development applications submitted under the Planning Act, and prepares various Agreements and By-laws.We administer the City’s Official Plan and Secondary Plans, manage growth, and lead other policy initiatives.

Submit Planning Application

Please be advised the submission process for Planning and Building applications has changed to accommodate physical distancing practices and staffing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following drop-off options are available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm:

  • Lindsay Municipal Service Centre, 180 Kent Street West, Lindsay, located outside of the building’s rear entrance opposite the rear parking lot.
  • City Hall, 26 Francis Street, Lindsay, located outside of the building's Colborne Street entrance.

If the item is larger (eg. drawings) and will not fit in the black dropbox:

  • Come to the Colborne Street entrance of City Hall and ring the black doorbell beside the door.
  • The receptionist will answer the door and accept the items being dropped off. Please respect the receptionist's physical distance by placing the item on the ground and giving at least 6 feet of space.
  • The receptionist will then direct the items to the appropriate person(s).

View Electronic Public Hearings
The general public and the media can view the Planning Advisory Committee webcast through the City of Kawartha Lakes livestream.

Participate in Electronic Public Hearings

The City of Kawartha Lakes City Hall is temporarily closed to the public to help stop the spread of COVID-19. While the public is not able to attend Planning Advisory Committee meetings in-person, there are several ways in which the general public can provide submissions to the Members of the Planning Advisory Committee.

Submit comments in writing: Submit comments in writing to the City of Kawartha Lakes, Clerk’s Office, 26 Francis Street, P.O. Box 9000, Lindsay, Ontario, K9V 5R8, prior to this meeting or by email to agendaitems@kawarthalakes.ca. Comments received by 4:00 p.m. the day before the meeting will be provided to Members of the Planning Advisory Committee prior to the meeting.

Register to speak at the Planning Advisory Committee Meeting via electronic participation:  Should you wish to speak at the Planning Advisory Committee meeting, please email Clerk’s Office at clerks@kawarthalakes.ca. Please include:

  • your name (first and last);
  • email address in order to send you an invite to participate in the meeting via Zoom which allows for participation by computer, mobile device or telephone;
  • which item on the agenda you wish to address; and,
  • any visual materials such as pictures or a PowerPoint presentation.

Notwithstanding the deadlines noted above, members of the public are requested to register as soon as possible in order to facilitate an orderly registration process and meeting.

Members of the public are encouraged to email written comments to agendaitems@kawarthalakes.ca prior to the meeting even if they choose to register to speak at the meeting via electronic participation in order for the Planning Advisory Committee Members to have their comments in the event they are not successful in joining the electronic meeting.

 Electronic Participation for Persons Wishing to Make Representations

Upon receipt of your request to speak at the meeting, you will be provided the Zoom meeting details and password prior to the meeting, including a link to educational resources for those who may be new to using Zoom.

Please note that neither a computer, nor a video sharing device, is required to participate in the meeting via Zoom. You may also opt to call in from a cell or landline. A call-in number will be provided in the email invite for this purpose.

Persons who intend to participate during the meeting may wish to register/sign up in Zoom if they have not already done so. The following information is provided for your consideration and guidance during remote participation in the meeting:

  • As screen-sharing will not be enabled for participants during this meeting, those persons who wish to provide a visual presentation (PowerPoint or other) must email it to clerks@kawarthalakes.ca. The Clerk who is moderating the meeting will share your presentation from his/her screen as you speak. Therefore, in order to allow sufficient time for set-up and testing in advance of the meeting start time, those who wish to provide visual presentations are required to register to speak and provide those materials to the Clerk’s Office prior to 4:00 p.m. the day before the meeting.
  • When you join the meeting, either by phone or online, you will be admitted in as an attendee. You will not be greeted upon joining the call. You will be able to hear the meeting and see the active speaker (if you have video capability), but your microphone will be muted until it is your turn to speak.
  • You may also follow along on livestream until you are called upon to speak (a separate device is best if you are calling on a cell), but you must mute that feed when you are called on to speak in order to prevent feedback. Please note there may be a 5 to 30 second delay between the live meeting and what you see on livestream.
  • If you join the Zoom meeting through your phone, please do not put the phone on hold at any time, as this will result in broadcasting “hold music” online once your microphone function is unmuted.
  • To optimize call quality when using a laptop, a headset with microphone is best if available to you; otherwise, whether using your laptop microphone or cell phone, please speak directly into the receiver and do not use speaker phone.
  • If you are having technical difficulties with respect to gaining access to Zoom during the meeting, you may contact the Clerk’s Office via email at clerks@kawarthalakes.ca or call at 705-324-9411 ext. 1322 or ext. 1266. Please be advised that the City has limited resources available and is not able to diagnose or address technical issues with your hardware or internet connection.
  • Please be reminded that the meeting will be live streamed and archived to the livestream. If you enable your camera, you will appear to meeting participants and on the livestream.
  • Please do not share the Zoom meeting details with anyone or post through social media. These details are restricted to Members of Planning Advisory Committee, specifically designated staff, applicants or their representatives and persons that have made a request to speak. All others will be able to watch and listen to the meeting on the City of Kawartha Lakes livestream.
  • Public delegations will be provided five (5) minutes in which to make their comments once called upon to speak by the Committee Chair. Questioning of / debate with the members or staff is not permitted. If you have questions, you may state them during your five minutes. Your comments must be directly related to the content of the report(s) to which you are speaking. The Committee Members may choose to ask you follow-up questions following your remarks, comment, or ask staff to respond to what you have said.
  • You are encouraged to send written comments for the Planning Advisory Committee’s consideration in addition to your oral presentation to agendaitems@kawarthalakes.ca.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I submit a planning inquiry?

Send an email to the Planning Division and a Planner will be in touch with you within two business days.

We require a valid address, Assessment Roll Number or a Property Identification Number (PIN) of the property you are inquiring about.

What is the Zoning of my property?

A Zoning By-law establishes and regulates the use of land, its scale and intensity.

To check the zoning of a property in the City of Kawartha Lakes, use the City’s Planning and Property Viewer and review the applicable Zoning By-law text.

Unassumed Subdivisions FAQs

Please read the Unassumed Subdivisions FAQs

Resources

Development Applications

The Planning Division is responsible for processing development applications under the Planning Act. We encourage early consultation as a first step through the following streams:

  • Preconsultation
  • Pre-Screening
  • Consent Potential Inquiry

Application forms and guides are available on the Development Applications page.

Development Engineering

Annual Infrastructure Guidelines Update

Annual Updates to the Development Engineering Website and Infrastructure Guidelines

December 2018 to January 2021:

Universal
• Dates - changed to reflect 2021

• Dates - changed to reflect 2020

• Dates - changed to reflect 2019

Water

• Correction to pressure for Watermain Commissioning SOP - typo

• New City By-Law 2018-036 - Regulate Water and Wastewater Services

• New Ministry title - Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP)

• Removed references to "Appendix" - now "Supporting Documentation"

• Added Watermain Commissioning Work Plan

Sanitary
• 5.7 Pipe Deflection - updated to reflect OPSS

Storm and Stormwater

• Inclusion of federal testing evaluation for any proposed oil and grit separator
• IDF - updated to reflect current as per Kawartha Conservation (KRCA)

Drafting Standards
• Update to confirm Record drawings as per PEO (stamped as recorded information)

Roads

• Reference to segregation requirements included

 

Engineering Drafting Standards

Read the Engineering Drafting Standards

Sanitary Infrastructure Guidelines

The City of Kawartha Lakes Infrastructure Guidelines are intended as a guide to provide a clear engineering basis for new development design, to establish a consistent guideline of minimum standards, and to improve the processing speed of site plan and plan of subdivision applications for approval within the City. The development review process involves multiple review agencies all having their own guidelines, policies and criteria. Where a discrepancy exists between the guidelines presented in these documents and other agency guidelines, the proponent shall identify the discrepancy to the City for review. Changes and revisions to the Guidelines may occur and it is the responsibility of the Developer's Consulting Engineer and or the Developer to obtain a copy of the latest version available on the City website at the time of engineering design.

Read the 2021 Sanitary Infrastructure Guidelines

Storm and Stormwater Infrastructure Guidelines

The City of Kawartha Lakes Infrastructure Guidelines are intended as a guide to provide a clear engineering basis for new development design, to establish a consistent guideline of minimum standards, and to improve the processing speed of site plan and plan of subdivision applications for approval within the City. The development review process involves multiple review agencies all having their own guidelines, policies and criteria. Where a discrepancy exists between the guidelines presented in these documents and other agency guidelines, the proponent shall identify the discrepancy to the City for review. Changes and revisions to the Guidelines may occur and it is the responsibility of the Developer's Consulting Engineer and or the Developer to obtain a copy of the latest version available on the City website at the time of engineering design.

Read the 2021 Storm and Stormwater Infrastructure Guidelines

Storm and Stormwater Supporting Documentation

  • Conservation Authority and Other Regulated Boundaries Map

  • CN Value Conversion Table

Road Infrastructure Guidelines

The City of Kawartha Lakes Infrastructure Guidelines are intended as a guide to provide a clear engineering basis for new development design, to establish a consistent guideline of minimum standards, and to improve the processing speed of site plan and plan of subdivision applications for approval within the City. The development review process involves multiple review agencies all having their own guidelines, policies and criteria. Where a discrepancy exists between the guidelines presented in these documents and other agency guidelines, the proponent shall identify the discrepancy to the City for review. Changes and revisions to the Guidelines may occur and it is the responsibility of the Developer's Consulting Engineer and or the Developer to obtain a copy of the latest version available on the City website at the time of engineering design.

Read the 2021 Road Infrastructure Guidelines

Road Cross Section Standard Drawings

Water Infrastructure Guidelines

The City of Kawartha Lakes Infrastructure Guidelines are intended as a guide to provide a clear engineering basis for new development design, to establish a consistent guideline of minimum standards, and to improve the processing speed of site plan and plan of subdivision applications for approval within the City. The development review process involves multiple review agencies all having their own guidelines, policies and criteria. Where a discrepancy exists between the guidelines presented in these documents and other agency guidelines, the proponent shall identify the discrepancy to the City for review. Changes and revisions to the Guidelines may occur and it is the responsibility of the Developer's Consulting Engineer and or the Developer to obtain a copy of the latest version available on the City website at the time of engineering design.

Read the 2021 Water Infrastructure Guidelines

Watermain Standard Drawings

Water Infrastructure Supporting Documentation

If you require any of these documents in an alternate format, please call 705 324-9411 extension 1146.

First Engineering Design Submission Requirements
Read the First Engineering Design Submission Requirements for Subdivisions

Construction Management Plan Requirements
Read the Construction Management Plan Requirements

Pre-Servicing of Subdivision Lands
Read Council's Policy CP2018-009 for Pre-Servicing of Subdivision Lands

Developer Responsibilities for a Successful Inspection
Read the Developer Responsibilities for a Successful Inspection

Lot Grading

Please visit our Building Permits page for more information on Lot Grading

Site Alteration
Please visit the Site Alteration page for more information.

Templates

• As Built Service Card

• Letter of Undertaking

• Pre-Servicing Agreement Template

• 2021 Subdivision Agreement Template

• Subdivision Cost Estimate Template

• Subdivision Security Reduction Request Cost Estimate Template

• Site Plan Cost Estimate Template

• Statutory Declaration Template

• Sanitary Sewer Design Sheet

• Storm Sewer Design Sheet

• Developer Letter to Residents Alteration of Grade and Driveways

• Developer Letter to Residents Placement of Top Course Asphalt

Maps

Official Plans and Secondary Plans

City of Kawartha Lakes Official Plan 

The Official Plan is created with public input and guides the use of land in Kawartha Lakes. The City of Kawartha Lakes Official Plan:

  • tells us where new housing, industry, offices and shops will go
  • identifies land that needs protection from development
  • helps us plan for services like roads, watermains, sewers, parks and schools that will be needed in the future
  • describes when and in what order parts of your community will grow

As of February 6, 2012, sections of the City of Kawartha Lakes Official Plan are under appeal with the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. A complete listing of appealed Sections and Schedules is noted in Appendix K of the Official Plan.

Lindsay Official Plan

Fenelon Falls Official Plan

Oak Ridges Moraine Official Plan

Secondary Plans

Secondary Plans are more detailed land use plans prepared for five settlement areas: Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay, Omemee, and Woodville.

Please be advised that the Secondary Plans listed below have been appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal and are currently not in effect.

Lindsay
  • Lindsay Secondary Plan
  • Lindsay Land Use Schedule
  • Lindsay Environmental Constraint Mapping
  • Lindsay Transportation Mapping

Bobcaygeon
  • Bobcaygeon Secondary Plan
  • Bobcaygeon Land Use Schedule
  • Bobcaygeon Environmental Constraint Mapping
  • Bobcaygeon Transportation Mapping

Omemee

  • Omemee Secondary Plan

  • Omemee Land Use Schedule

  • Omemee Environmental Constraint Mapping

  • Omemee Transportation Mapping

Fenelon Falls

Woodville

General Amendments and Schedule Documents

  • General Amendments

  • Official Plan Schedule A-2 Updates

  • Official Plan Schedule A-3 Updates

  • Official Plan Schedule A-4 Updates

  • Official Plan Schedule A-5 Updates

  • Official Plan Schedule B-2 Updates

  • Official Plan Schedule B-3 Updates

  • Official Plan Schedule B-4 Updates

  • Official Plan Schedule B-5 Updates

Planning Fees

The Planning Division processes all land use applications under the Planning Act and related inquiries.

The tables below reflect frequently sought applications and inquiries; for complete details and all applicable fees not included below please refer to the City’s Consolidated Fees By-Law 2020-137:

Development Inquiry Applications
Application Type2021 Fee

Preconsultation

  

$300

Pre-Screening (prior to Minor Variance)

  

$225

Consent Potential Inquiry

  

$225

Zoning Compliance Letter

  

$114

Zoning Compliance Letter (Rush)

  

$250

Written Response to Property Inquiry

  

$114
Planning Act Applications
Application Type*
2021 Fee

Consent for lot creation, lot retention, boundary adjustments

Base Fee plus Advertising Fee

$1,143 + $229

Plus Fee for each additional lot or boundary adjustment

$229

Consent for easement, charge, lease, right-of-way, correction of title, validation of title

Base Fee plus Advertising Fee

$982 + $229

Minor Variance

Base Fee plus Advertising Fee

$1,143 + $229

Zoning By-law Amendment

(excludes additional applicable fees per unit / by area)

Minor plus Advertising Fee

$2,286 + $458

Major plus Advertising Fee

$3,430 + $458

If required as a condition of Consent

$1,143 + $458

If required to remove ‘Holding’ provision

$572 + $229

Official Plan Amendment

Minor plus Advertising Fee

$3,991 + $458

Major plus Advertising Fee (excludes applications for aggregate operations)

$5,706 + $458

*Other applicable fees may include: advertising, stamping fee, registration, legal, preparation of agreements; applications for renewable energy and telecommunications, final approvals, combined applications; review, permit and licence fees for various items including sewage systems, pools, additional residential units, patios; conservation authority fees; and other administrative fees.

Provincial Plans and Legislation

The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Ministry of Housing is responsible for provincial land use planning and policy development in Ontario. The Planning Act establishes the rules and processes for land use planning and describes how land uses may be controlled, changed, and how these decisions are made.

Other relevant legislation includes:

Zoning By-Laws

Zoning By-laws govern the detailed use of land, the placement and size of building and structures, and other matters such as parking, loading, and landscaping. The City has 19 zoning by-laws that cover the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Bexley
 Bobcaygeon
 Carden
 Dalton
 Eldon
 Emily
 Fenelon Falls
 Fenelon Township
 Laxton, Digby, and Longford
 Lindsay
 Manvers
 Mariposa
 Omemee
 Ops
 Oak Ridges Moraine
 Somerville
 Sturgeon Point
 Verulam
 Woodville

Current Planning Initiatives

Current Development Applications

Notice of public meetings regarding development applications will be posted on the notices section of our website.

You can view a schedule of upcoming Council and Planning Committee meetings and associated documents on our Council and Committee Calendar.

Additional Residential Units

The Province has made amendments to the Planning Act through Bill 108/Regulation 299 to allow Additional Residential Units (ARUs) on eligible properties, replacing the legislation authorizing Second Units. The amendment has the effect of allowing up to 2 ARUs for every primary residential unit, where one ARU may be attached to the primary residential unit, and one ARU may be in a detached, accessory building to the primary residential unit. Eligible primary dwelling units include a single detached, semi-detached or townhouse.

At the December 15, 2020 Council meeting, Council adopted the following By-laws to establish new policies and regulations for ARUs in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Aggregate Policy Review (OPA 11)
Aggregates Policy Review will update the City’s Official Plan mineral aggregate policies through an Official Plan Amendment process (‘OPA 11’).

Cannabis Cultivation and Processing Regulations

The City of Kawartha Lakes is proposing amendments across 18 of the City’s Zoning By-laws that would introduce Cannabis Production and Processing into Agricultural and Industrial Zones. Subject to meeting specific conditions, operators licensed by Health Canada will be permitted to grow and process cannabis in the City.

The proposed amendments include new definitions and setbacks from sensitive land uses.

Proposed definitions are Air Filtration Control, Cannabis and Cannabis Production and Processing, and Sensitive Land Uses.

The aforementioned setbacks would be applied to Cannabis Production and Processing facilities to mitigate potential nuisances for neighbouring property owners and sensitive land uses such as residences, recreational areas, and day cares. Facilities would be required to locate a prescribed distance away from the property lines of the site on which they are situated. Setback distances are informed by the City of Kawartha Lakes Official Plan and Provincial Guidelines.

Following the March 10, 2021, Planning Advisory Committee meeting, the March 25, 2021, City Council meeting, and Agency consultation, Staff are proposing to revise the setback implementation. A building line or crop line-to-building line approach of Sensitive Land Use is proposed. A Regular Meeting of the Planning Advisory Committee will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 9am regarding the proposed amendments.

The Cannabis Regulations Planning Report will be made publicly available as part of the Planning Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.

For information on cannabis use in the City of Kawartha Lakes, please visit the City's Cannabis webpage.

Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review
 New Zoning By-law Project will consolidate the regulations of the City’s 19 Zoning By-laws.

Growth Management Strategy

The City of Kawartha Lakes is expected to grow to 117,000 people and 39,000 jobs by 2051. To plan for this growth, the City’s Planning Division is initiating a new Growth Management Strategy (GMS). This is the second GMS exercise the City is administering; the City’s first GMS was completed in 2010 and updated in 2011.

In accordance with provincial requirements, the City's new GMS will plan for population growth, housing and employment needs, and coordinate with infrastructure investments to the year 2051. The new GMS will establish a foundation for the forthcoming update of the City’s Official Plan, which is also referred to as the municipal comprehensive review (MCR).

The City has recently awarded the GMS project contract to a consulting team led by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. in partnership with Dillon Consulting Limited. Council has approved the Terms of Reference for the Growth Management Strategy Task Force to be established as a resource to help guide this project. The contributions of the Task Force are critical to the development of a Growth Management Strategy that is representative of the diverse interests of the community. Members will provide advice on public consultation, and attend meetings and Open House events. There are currently eight (8) vacancies on the Growth Management Strategy Task Force. Members of the public interested in serving on the Task Force are asked to submit a “Citizen Appointment Application Form” available online at www.kawarthalakes.ca/boardsandcommittees, along with supporting material, by email to clerks@kawarthalakes.ca. Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 2, 2021. Stay tuned to this page for more information, including ways that you can get involved in the project, in the summer of 2021.

Source Water Protection OPA and ZBA

In accordance with the requirements in the Clean Water Act, 2006, and the Source Protection Plans for the Trent and the South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe regions, Council adopted By-laws at the November 17th Council meeting to establish policies and provisions to protect existing and future sources of municipal residential drinking water at Wellhead Protection Areas and Intake Protection Zones. Protecting water at its source is the first line of defense in a multi-barrier approach that protects drinking water from contamination and overuse, human health and the environment.

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