Draft Plan of Subdivision or Condominium
The subdivision process is used to divide land, generally where a new municipal road is proposed, or the proposal would create more than five separate development parcels. Condominium proposals are reviewed and processed in the same manner as subdivisions under Section 51 of the Planning Act.
The subdivision process addresses both design and technical aspects of development (for example stormwater, servicing, traffic, landscaping) all in conformity with the provisions of the Zoning By-Law, Development Manual and Development Guidelines. To view these documents please find them under additional resources on our Planning and Development Webpage.
A draft plan of subdivision must show:
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property line boundaries and dimensions of each lot;
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location of streets;
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location of school and /or park sites
Note: If your proposal involves subdividing land on a smaller scale (i.e. creation of one or two lots), you may be able to seek approval for land severance/consent. Please refer to the Land Severance guideline webpage for details.
Application Requirements for Draft Plan of Subdivision
To ensure the success of your application the City requires a number of supporting documents and fees which are outlined below.
 Pre-Consultation |
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| Submission Requirements |
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You will need to complete the Plan of Subdivision Application Form and submit it along with any supporting documentation to the CityView Application Portal. If your property is appropriately zoned, you may submit an application to seek subdivision approval. For a full list of requirements, refer to the pre-consultation checklist provided by staff after the pre-consultation meeting. Please note that you may also be required to provide additional studies and/or reports listed below:
This information is identified during the pre-consultation meeting. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. For assistance in completing the application form and/or preparing a draft plan of subdivision, please contact the Approvals Section, Engineering and Development Services Department at City Hall, 169 Front Street, Belleville, 613-968-6481. |
| Application Fees |
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A complete breakdown of our fee schedule can be found on Planning Fees page. Payments can be made by cheque. |
Draft Plan of Subdivision Application Process
The following steps below provides additional information to help guide you through the application process.
| Step 1: Complete Application Review |
| Staff review the application and draft plan to ensure all required information is provided (including required number of plans, application forms and fees). Conformity to Official Plan & Zoning By-Law is also confirmed prior to circulation. |
| Step 2: Application Circulation |
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| Step 3: Recommendation Report |
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A staff report will be tabled before the Planning Advisory Committee and the City Council Planning Committee A recommendation report is prepared by the Approvals Section that will be heard at the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC), which will include the conditions of draft approval. The recommendation from PAC is subsequently forwarded to City Council meeting for approval. |
| Step 4: Council Decision + 20 Day Appeal |
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After Council's approval, a "Notice of Decision" is mailed out initiating a 20-day appeal period, within which prescribed parties can appeal the Draft Plan of Subdivision approval to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). Once this period expires, if no appeals have been received, a final "affidavit of no appeals" is issued and the Plan of Subdivision is deemed to be draft approved.
If the application is refused, the Owner may appeal Council's decision to the OLT within 20 days of the date of the "Notice of Decision".
Draft Approval Some conditions of draft approval may include: parkland dedication requirements, road widening, rezoning of the area to reflect the new uses in the subdivision, street naming, and other City requirements. As well, Draft Approval includes a timeframe within which the Conditions must be met. If the conditions are not met within the timeframe, the Draft Approval will lapse. The City has the authority to grant an extension of Draft Approval with City Council's approval. The Developer will be required to enter into a Subdivision Agreement with the City to ensure certain services are provided after the plan has been registered. |
| Step 5: Subdivision Agreement and Registration of Plan |
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After Draft Plan of Subdivision approval has been granted, and once the Developer has satisfied each of the conditions of draft approval, the Developer is entitled to obtain final approval. The Approvals Staff prepare a subdivision agreement, reflecting the conditions of a draft approval, and other City requirements. The Manager of Approvals will submit a report to City Council to obtain its approval to grant final approval and the Plan of Subdivision can be registered. The Developer submits final engineering plans, the final survey plan, and pays all applicable fees and posts securities as set out in the subdivision agreement. Once signed by the Manager of Approvals, the plans will be registered at the Land Registry Office. |
Subdivision Process Flowchart
View the Plan of Subdivision flowchart for an overview of the application process.
| Homeowner's Guide - Lot Grading and Drainage Information |
Establishing a Grading PlanLot grading and drainage plans are part of the approval process for residential lots. All new development requires a grading plan approved by the Municipality. An effective Lot grading and drainage plan can be outlined by the following:
Lot Grading ProcessWhen creating new residential lots by plan of subdivision or by land severance, preparation of an overall grading plan for the entire land is required by the developer’s Professional Engineer. The Municipality reviews and approves the overall grading plan to ensure that the land when subdivided incorporates proper grading design that takes existing drainage patterns, neighbouring property elevations, and storm water outlets into account. Each new lot must have its own separate plot plan when applying for a building permit, which is based on the overall approved grading plan for the subdivision or severed properties. The particular grading design for each new lot and the general position of the house to be built are both shown in further detail on the individual plot plan. Interim lot grading: is carried out shortly after sod has been laid. The developer will provide a certification to the Municipality stating the lot has been graded in accordance with the approved grading plans. Final lot grading: is carried out by the builder following completion of house construction and must be verified onsite by a professional engineer and certified to the Municipality that the lot has been graded in accordance with the grading plans approved by the Municipality. Once final grading has occurred, the homeowner is now responsible to maintain the approved grading plan. Any changes made by the homeowner to the lot’s grading should not impede with the drainage flow within or around their lands. Drainage problems often occur with the addition of fences, decks, landscaping, swimming pools and the like. Before issuing a building permit, the Municipality reviews and approves this plan. Who is responsible?The Property Owner’s RoleThe property owner is responsible for: maintaining all lot grades approved by the Municipality. Ensuring that any surface water does not cause property damage to surrounding neighbours. Note: Alterations may result in civil liability. The Builder’s RoleThe builder is responsible for the design and construction of individual lot grades and drainage, in conformance to the approved lot grading plan. Builder obligations with respect to the lot grading plan are outlined below:
The Developer’s RoleFor lots within current plans of subdivision, a subdivision lot grading plan showing elevations and the overall drainage pattern is prepared by the developer. This plan is reviewed by the City prior to release of the building permit. Other responsibilities include:
At the time of building permit application an individual plot plan is prepared by a builder’s Engineer or Surveyor for each new lot based on the overall approved grading plan for the subdivision or severed lands. The individual plot plan shows in greater detail specific grading design for each new lot and the outline of the actual house to be constructed. This plan is reviewed by the City prior to release of the building permit. Lot Grading DesignSwalesSwales are shallow grassed drainage channels with gently sloping sides and are used to collect and direct storm water away from the building foundation to a suitable outlet.
Rear Lot Catch Basins A rear lot catch basin is a concrete inlet chamber with a metal grate at the top which is flush with the ground surface. Rear lot catch basins are located at low points along the rear property line to allow storm water to enter through the metal grate and discharge to the City’s sewer system. Slopes around a rear lot catchbasin are typically greater than 1%. Wherever there is a rear lot catch basin, there is an underground pipe connected to it that connects to the City’s sewer on the road. It is the homeowners responsibility when constructing a fence or digging to ensure this pipe is not damaged. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure that a rear lot catchbasin is not blocked in any way that would prevent rain water from entering and discharging to the sewer system. Disposal of any liquid or material is NOT permitted in a rear lot catchbasin, other than surface runoff water. DefinitionsLot Grading Lot grading consists of sloping the land within a lot to direct the flow of surface water away from a building’s foundation. Proper grading ensures water is discharged towards a suitable outlet safely and according to the approved lot grading plan without negatively affecting adjacent properties. Lot Grading Plan Lot grading plans are required for all new developments and show the drainage relationship between adjacent properties included within the plan. They specify design elevations, surface gradients, lot types, swale locations and other drainage information required for grading. Final Certificate of Grading Conformity A final lot grading certificate issued by the City that certifies the lot is graded in accordance with the overall lot grading plan. Prior to the City issuing the certificate, the Owner shall deliver to the City a plan showing as-constructed elevations and grades for all major swales and shall deliver a certificate signed by a Professional Engineer or Ontario Land Surveyor certifying that the grading works have been completed in strict accordance with the approved plans. If satisfied with same, the City shall issue the Final Certificate of Grading Conformity. Rough Grade Is the base and first step towards establishment of approved lot grades with native material (clay). Final Grade Is the second step for approved lot grades (typically topsoil/sod). |