Official Plan and Zoning

The Official Plan is our City's key land use document. It describes what kind of community we want to become in the future. It sets goals, objectives, and policies which guide our land use planning decisions. Everything the City does related to land use needs to conform to the Plan.

The Zoning By-law manages the present and future land use in the City. It is a tool used to implement the Official Plan's vision for the City on a day-to-day basis. The Zoning By-law divides the City into land use zones. Each zone has a list of permitted land uses and a set of regulations. There are regulations that apply to specific uses permitted in each zone. There are also general regulations that apply to all properties in any zone.

The Official Plan

The Official Plan sets out the goals and objectives for the City of Belleville as a whole. The purpose is to inform the public of the City's general land use planning goals, objectives and policies in both the short and long term. It ensures that growth of the City meets the long term needs of the community.

The City of Belleville recently completed an Official Plan review as required by the Planning Act. On April 11, 2023, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved, with modifications, the new City of Belleville Official Plan, as adopted by City of Belleville By-law 2021-180.

To review the new Official Plan and please see the links below:
*New* Official Plan - PDF

The land use policies contained in the Plan implement the Vision and must be read in conjunction with he following schedules:

Schedule A - Land Use Plan (Rural Area)
Schedule B - Land Use Plan (Urban Serviced Area)
Schedule C - Road System Plan
Schedule D - Cycling and Trails Plan
Schedule E - Detailed Planning Areas
Schedule E2 - City Centre Intensification Plan
Schedule F - Natural Hazard Features
Schedule G - Constraint Areas
Appendix A - Additional Intensification Areas
Appendix B - Wildland Fire Hazard Areas
Appendix C - Natural Heritage Feature
Receive a copy of the above Schedules and Appendices

2021 - Official Plan Review

Project Phases of Official Plan Update

Phase One: Review and Analysis of Land Requirements

The ‘Final Report, Municipal Comprehensive Review of Urban Serviced Area, Official Plan Update' was updated according to relevant comments received at the Public Information Centre (PIC) and Public Presentation held June 3, 2019. This update to the report has not changed the conclusions for urban land needs as determined by the consultants. The analysis undertaken by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. has determined that the City has sufficient residential, commercial, community facility, and employment lands for the next 20 years within its urban boundary.

There is no requirement to change the urban boundary of the City with the exception of the proposed land swap of the majority of lands located in the Cannifton East Industrial Area for the expropriated lands adjacent to the North East Industrial Park.

For a copy of the ‘Final Report, Municipal Comprehensive Review of Urban Serviced Area, Official Plan Update' please contact planning@belleville.ca .

Phase Two: Policy Recommendations

Comments, feedback, and proposals that have been provided to the City in writing during the review of the Municipal Comprehensive Review phase but related to the policy development stage will be considered at this future phase. Individuals that have submitted comments will also have the opportunity to provide further feedback once the updated Official Plan is prepared and a future Statutory Public Meeting is held.

Phase Three: Policy Development

The first step toward the development of updated policies is the preparation of a Technical Brief to support the Official Plan Update titled ‘Emerging Policy Issues' which outlines Emerging Policy Issues along with recommendations for updating the Official Plan.

The Planning Advisory Committee considered an information report from Staff on the Technical Brief September 3, 2019 (Report No. PP-2019-59).

The Terms of Reference for the Official Plan Update was expanded as a result of Council's priorities identified through the City Housing Summit including modernizing housing policies, intensification policies and mixed use policies in order to increase the supply of lands available for medium and high density residential development which will ultimately increase the supply of rental units in the City of Belleville. Other issues are also required to be addressed as required by the Provincial Policy Statement to ensure the Updated Official Plan is approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

For a copy of the ‘Emerging Policy Issues Technical Brief' please contact planning@belleville.ca .

Phase Four: Implementation through an Official Plan Amendment

The City will receive a few stages of the draft Official Plan allowing comments to be provided to the consultants before a final version will be provided to Council for adoption. Once adopted by Council, approval from the Ministry of Municipal affairs will be required.

The Loyalist Secondary Plan

The Loyalist Secondary Plan forms part of the Official Plan. Developments in the Secondary Plan area are guided by the policies and provisions of the Secondary Plan and the Official Plan. In the event of a conflict, the policies of the Loyalist Secondary Plan prevail.

We are currently undertaking a Loyalist Secondary Plan Update.

Zoning By-laws

City Council enacted the new Belleville Zoning By-law 2024-100on March 11, 2024. This By-law regulates the use of land and the height, bulk, location, size, floor area, spacing, character and use of buildings within the City of Belleville, pursuant to Section 34 of the Planning Act.

Applying for an Official Plan Amendment and/or Zoning By-law Amendment

Pre-consultation with City Staff is required prior to the submission of any development planning applications. The purpose of the pre-consultation is to identify the information and supporting documentation that will be required prior to processing a 'complete application'. Please complete the pre-consultation form found below and email it along with any supporting documentation to the CityView Application Portal in order to book a meeting. Applicable fees for a pre-consultation meeting may apply.

Pre-consultation for Development Applications Form

If a proposed use or structure on a property does not meet the requirements of our Zoning By-law or is not consistent with the Official Plan, you will need to apply for an Official Plan and/or Zoning By-law Amendment. The completed form can be submitted along with any supporting documentation to the CityView Application Portal.

Apply for an Official Plan Amendment and/or Zoning By-law Amendment

Applying for the Removal of a Holding Symbol

If the zoning on a property is accompanied by a holding symbol (-h) which needs to be removed as all holding provisions have been met, please complete the application below and submit it along with any supporting documents to the CityView Application Portal.

Apply to Remove a Holding Symbol

Guide to the Application Process

This guide outlines the procedures followed by the City of Belleville when processing applications to amend the Official Plan and / or Zoning By-law pursuant to sections 17 and 34 of the Ontario Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13, as amended.

Chart showing the application process for Official Plan and re-zoning applications

Application Process

Step 1 - Pre-consultation

You must complete a pre-consultation with with city staff prior to submitting your application. During the pre-consultation you will present the details of your proposal and staff will provide feedback or provide general direction on the proposal.

Step 2 - Completing your application

When submitting your application you must include the exact nature and details of the amendment you are seeking. Sometimes receiving professional planning and/or legal advice before submitting your application is helpful.

Please ensure that your application is complete with all of the appropriate signatures, required fees and any associated plans or documents as identified in your pre-consultation. Incomplete, incorrect, or inaccurate applications will not be accepted or processed until all the required information is provided. Your completed application can be submitted to the Planning Department.

Step 3 - Processing the application

Notice of Application:

Your application will be reviewed by Planning Staff and if considered complete a notice of ‘Complete Application and Public Meeting’ will be sent to:

you, the applicant;
any prescribed person or public body, as required by the Ontario Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13, as amended, including all property owners within a 120 meter radius of the land identified in your application;
members of the Planning Advisory Committee; and
anyone who has requested notice.

Your application will also be circulated to other City Departments and relevant local agencies for review and comment.

A notice sign must be posted on the lands identified in the application that notifies the public on your application. The City will provide the notice sign, but it is your responsibility to post the sign on the subject lands.

Public Meeting/Consultation:

City staff will prepare an introductory report that will go to the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) for their consideration at a public meeting.

The public meeting provides an opportunity for interested parties to speak in favour or against your proposal. You may have to answer questions at the meeting to support your proposal. Written submissions will also be accepted.

Analysis and Approval Process:

Staff will analyze both public and agency verbal and written comments and you may be asked to respond to the comments (your response will become part of the public record). During the analysis period you may amend your application. If significant changes are made, your application may require a second public meeting.

Planning Staff will prepare a recommendation reports for the Planning Advisory Committees (PAC) consideration. PAC will make a further recommendation to City Council whether or not to approve the application. City Council will then approve or deny the application. If approved the an amending bylaw will be prepared and passed by City Council.

Step 4 - Appeal Period

Once your application is approved or denied by Council, a ‘Notice of Decision’ will be sent out to you and/or your agent and any interested parties. There is a 20 day appeal period during which time anyone who has made a verbal or written submission prior to the passing of the by-law or the applicant may file a notice of appeal, accompanied with the required information and the appeal fee through the City Clerk. If no appeals were filed in the 20 day appeal period and a by-law had been passed, the by-law will take effect immediately.

If an appeal is filed within the 20 day appeal period, the appeal will be forwarded to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) for processing. For more information on the appeal process through the OLT please visit the OLT website at https://olt.gov.on.ca/appeals-process/ .

Fees

The fee schedule for Official Plan and/or Zoning By-law amendments can be found on our Planning Application Fees page.

Zoning and Building Compliance Request

A zoning and building compliance letter provides the current zoning of the applicable subject lands, and indicates whether there are any open building permits or open work orders regarding property standards issues for the subject lands. The fee for the compliance letter is $310.00 and is usually provided within 5 business days. You can request and pay for a zoning and building compliance letter online by completing the zoning and building compliance request form.

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