Planning Services
The Municipality of Centre Hastings is currently receiving a high volume of planning inquiries. Please take the time to read through the information below before contacting the office for support. If you have planning or zoning questions after reviewing the information please complete the following form and staff will respond in order of the requests.
What is Planning?
The Planning Act (the Act) is provincial legislation that sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario. It describes how land uses may be controlled, and who may control them. The purpose of the Act is to:
- provide for planning processes that are fair by making them open, accessible, timely and efficient
- promote sustainable economic development in a healthy natural environment within a provincial policy framework
- provide for a land use planning system led by provincial policy
- integrate matters of provincial interest into provincial and municipal planning decisions by requiring that all decisions be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and conform/not conflict with provincial plans
- encourage co-operation and coordination among various interests
- recognize the decision-making authority and accountability of municipal councils in planning
Zoning Amendments
To change the zoning on a parcel of land there needs to be a Zoning Amendment Bylaw passed by Council to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw. To learn more about this process visit the Citizen’s Guide to Land Use Planning.
Step 1: Check your zoning
- Please use the Hastings County GIS Mapping
Step 2: Review the details of your zone
- Please refer to the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw
Step 3: Submit a Rezone Amendment Application
- Download and fill out the Application Form and send it to planning@centrehastings.com
Other zoning questions should be directed to the Hastings County Planning Department:
- Emily Galloway, Planner – 613-966-1311 ext. 4003
Minor Variance
A minor variance is a small variation from the requirements of the zoning bylaw. A minor variance approval is a certificate of permission, because it allows the property owner to obtain a building permit even though their property does not comply precisely with the zoning bylaw.
Step 1: Check your zoning
- Please use the Hastings County GIS Mapping
Step 2: Review the details of your zone
- Please refer to the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw
Step 3: Identify the section of the Zoning Bylaw you require relief from and fill out the application form
- Download and fill out the Application Form and send it to planning@cenrehastings.com
Other zoning questions should be directed to the Hastings County Planning Department:
- Emily Galloway, Planner – 613-966-1311 ext. 4003
Consent (Severance) Process
The Consent Process is governed by the policies and regulations of the Planning Act. It may take three (3) to four (4) months from the time of submission of the Application for Consent until the time a Notice of Decision is received. Should there be appeals received, the process may be delayed. Times may vary greatly depending on the number and complexity of issues arising as part of the application review process and/or staff work volumes.
For more information, you can review the Consent Application Guide.
Step 1: Consultation with Hastings County Planning Department:
- Emily Galloway, Planner – 613-966-1311 ext. 4003
Centre Hastings Zoning Information
Are you looking for specific zoning information? Please click above.
Who do I contact for help?
The Municipality of Centre Hastings is supported by Hastings County planning staff and all inquiries that are not simple rezoning or minor variance applications should begin with a pre-consultation with Hastings County. All inquires to the municipality must be made through the Request for Service Form above.
Here is the Hastings County Planning pre-consultation form.
What is the hierarchy of planning legislation?
The Planning Act (Provincial)
The Planning Act(the Act) is provincial legislation that sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario. It describes how land uses may be controlled, and who may control them.
The Provincial Policy Statement (Provincial)
The Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 (PPS) applies provincewide and contains policy direction related to:
- growth and development
- the use and management of resources
- the protection of the environment
- public health and safety
Municipalities are the primary implementers of PPS policies through:
- official plans
- zoning bylaws
- decisions on other planning matters
The Official Plan (Upper Tier)
The Official Plan provides goals, objectives, policies, and procedures to guide the physical development of Hastings County while having regard for relevant social, economic, and environmental matters.
The Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (Lower Tier)
This Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw is intended to prohibit the use of land and the erection or use of buildings or structures for or except for such purposes as set down in this bylaw; to prohibit the erection or use of buildings on land which is subject to flooding, or on land by reason of its rocky, marshy or unstable character the cost of construction of satisfactory waterworks, sewage, or drainage facilities are prohibitive; to regulate the height, bulk, location, size, floor area, spacing, character, and use of buildings or structures; to regulate the minimum frontage and depth of a parcel of land and the portion of the area thereof that any building or structure may occupy; to require loading and parking facilities for buildings or structures erected or used for certain purposes; to prohibit the making or establishment of pits and quarries within defined areas and to regulate the making or establishment of pits and quarries within defined areas of the municipality.
