Welcome to the Planning Department
The Planning Department is responsible for the development and implementation of land use policies and provisions including the Township’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law, in accordance with Provincial legislation and the District of Muskoka Official Plan. We work with you to align your development goals with the Township’s in a timely manner through our Pre-Application Consultation process and, where required, planning applications such as minor variances, consents, and zoning by-law amendments, to name a few.
We are a diverse team of highly qualified individuals with Registered Professional Planner (RPP), Accredited Secretary-Treasurer (ACST) and Certified Planning Technician (CPT) designations who have many years of education and experience. We are members of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), Canadian Association of Certified Planning Technicians (CACPT), and Ontario Association of Committee of Adjustment & Consent Authorities (OACA) who engage in continuous professional learning to expand our knowledge on evolving planning legislation such as the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) and the Planning Act, as well as best planning practices.
Official Plan
The Township of Georgian Bay's Official Plan is a long-range blueprint that guides future land use and manages growth within our municipality. The plan works to balance Georgian Bay's unique character with the needs of our community and natural heritage.
| Schedules |
| Schedule A - Settlement Patterns
Schedule B - Port Severn Land Use Designation Schedule C - MacTier Land Use Designation Schedule D - Honey Harbour Area Schedule E - Go Home Bay Coastal Waterfront Community Schedule F - Six Mile Lake Inland Waterfront Community Schedule F-1 - Six Mile Lake Inland Waterfront Community: Natural Constraints Schedule G - Cognashene Coastal Waterfront: Special Policy Areas Schedule G-1 - Cognashene Coastal Waterfront: Environmental Features Schedule H - Wah Wah Taysee Coastal Waterfront Community Schedule I - Palisade Bay/East Bone Island Coastal Waterfront Community Schedule J - Transportation Schedule J-1 - Transportation Port Severn/Honey Harbour |
| Appendices |
| Appendix 1 - Species At Risk Screen Checklist
Appendix 2 - Terms of Reference for Water Quality Impact Assessment Appendix 3 - Projected Population, Households and Employment Appendix 4 - Provincially Significant Wetlands Appendix 4 - Part 2 Appendix 4 - Part 3 Appendix 5 - Muskoka Heritage Areas Appendix 6 - Other Wetlands Appendix 7 - Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest Appendix 8 - Fish Habitat Appendix 9 - Colonial Bird Nesting Habitat (Map 1) Appendix 9 - Colonial Bird Nesting Habitat (Map 2) Appendix 9 - Colonial Bird Nesting Habitat (Map 3) Appendix 9 - Colonial Bird Nesting Habitat (Map 4) Appendix 9 - Colonial Bird Nesting Habitat (Map 5) Appendix 9 - Colonial Bird Nesting Habitat (Map 6) Appendix 9 - Colonial Bird Nesting Habitat (Map 7) Appendix 9 - Colonial Bird Nesting Habitat (Map 8) Appendix 9 - Colonial Bird Nesting Habitat (Map 9) Appendix 9 - Colonial Bird Nesting Habitat (Map 10) Appendix 10 - Mineral Aggregate Resources |
| Master Plan & Design Guidelines |
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Each distinct community has a Master Plan with Design Guidelines. Viewed together, these plans act as strategic blueprints for community growth and help us assess development applications and proposals. |
The plan is a “living document” and updates ensure that the plan continues to meet local needs, the District's Official Plan and Ontario's Planning Act. We review our plan every five years.
Zoning
Our Zoning By-law regulates the use of land and contains provisions related to the size, height and location of buildings and structures. You can find the zoning of your property using the Interactive Zoning Map or Schedule A of the Zoning By-law below. Refer to the Zoning: A Guide for the Public for step-by-step instructions on how to determine the zone of your property and locate the applicable zoning information in the By-law.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Planning Department at planning@gbtownship.ca.
| Zoning By-Law Schedules |
| Zoning By-Law Appendices |
Zoning Certificates
- The application fee is non-refundable.
- If you recently received approval under the Planning Act (i.e., Minor Variance), the Zoning Certificate application fee may be waived.
- One Zoning Certificate is required per building/structure. Consult with the Building Department to determine how many certificates your development requires.
- Zoning Certificates have a six-month expiry date.
Submission & Exemptions:
- If you are proposing to construct a detached dwelling and install a new septic system, you can do so with one Zoning Certificate Application form.
- You are exempt from a Zoning Certificate if you are proposing a temporary tent for an event, interior renovations where the use of the building is not changing or are replacing an approved septic system and not enlarging it.
- On Georgian Bay, drawings for new, additions and alterations thereto, dwellings and sleeping cabins must show the minimum opening elevation. Minimum opening elevation means the minimum elevation below which no doors, windows or other openings shall be permitted. The required minimum opening elevation is 178.3 metres C.G.D. On Islands and the shoreline subject to wave run-up as a result of the fetch of Georgian Bay, this minimum opening elevation shall be no less than 178.9 metres C.G.D. These areas are identified on Appendix A of the Zoning By-law.
- Refer to the Zoning Certificate Application form for a list of required information.
- If you are uncertain that your development complies with the Zoning By-law, you are encouraged to submit your plans for preliminary review by way of our Pre-Application Consultation process.
Zoning Certificate Received:
- Once your Zoning Certificate application has been approved, the Certificate will need to be submitted with the approved plans to the Building Department as part of your building permit application.
- If you revise your development plans from those approved, another Zoning Certificate (and revision fee) will be required.
- A Zoning Certificate is not a Building Permit. Receiving a Zoning Certificate does not guarantee that you will receive approval from the Building Department.
Zoning Certificate Application Form
Planning Application Forms
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Pre-Application Consultation |
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Prior to applying for a building permit or submitting a Planning Act application (i.e., minor variance), you are encouraged to take part in the Township’s Pre-Application Consultation process. |
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Consent (Land Severance) |
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Consent is one of the methods in Ontario to divide land. The Consent process shall generally be used where four or fewer lots are being created. This process may also be used to grant other interests in land such as: boundary adjustments and easements. For more information, refer to the Consent Information Guide. |
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Deeming By-law |
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A Deeming By-law deems areas of land to no longer be part of a registered plan of subdivision. This type of by-law allows certain lots, or parts of lots, on a plan of subdivision to merge. View our Deeming By-law Application for details and fees. |
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Minor Variance |
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The Minor Variance Application process is a means to seek relief through the Committee of Adjustment when a building or structure cannot conform exactly to the requirements of the Zoning By-law. This process may also be used to rectify an existing non-compliant situation. For more information, refer to the Minor Variance Information Guide. |
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Official Plan Amendment |
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If your development plans do not conform with the Township's Official Plan, you will need to apply for an Official Plan Amendment. |
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Site Plan Agreement |
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You are encouraged to take part in our Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) process prior to submitting a Site Plan Approval Application. Site plan control is a tool under section 41 of the Planning Act which enables a municipality to exercise site-specific controls over development. Refer to section I.5 of the Township's Official Plan for details. |
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Zoning By-law Amendment (Rezoning) |
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A Zoning By-law Amendment (or a Rezoning) is a public planning process utilized by those who want to use or develop their property in a way that is not permitted by the Zoning By-law and may not qualify for a Minor Variance. For more information, refer to the Zoning By-law Amendment Information Guide. |
Site Visits
As part of the Planning Application process, Planning staff conduct site visits to better understand the context and characteristics of the subject lands. These visits are a critical step in preparing accurate and informed planning reports.
Site visits allow Planning staff to:
- Gain on-the-ground context for the proposed development
- Assess the potential impact on surrounding properties and the environment
- Validate submitted information and ensure all buildings and structures are accurately shown on plans
- Make informed decisions based on real-world observations
- Capture photographic evidence for inclusion in staff reports
If the subject property is accessible only by water, the applicant is responsible for arranging safe boat transportation for two (2) Planning staff. The boat must comply with Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide, including:
- Personal lifesaving appliances (e.g., lifejackets for all passengers)
- Visual signals (e.g., flares, flashlight)
- Safety equipment (e.g., bailers, bilge pump, anchor)
- Navigation equipment (e.g., lights, compass, radar reflector)
- Firefighting equipment (e.g., fire extinguisher, buckets, axe)
Failure to provide safe and compliant transportation may result in delays to the application review process.
For safety reasons, staff may not conduct site visits for water-access properties from November through April, inclusive, due to weather and ice conditions. Site visits are essential for thoroughly reviewing planning applications. Without them, staff may be unable to prepare a recommendation report, and Council or the Committee of Adjustment may be unable to make an informed decision. Applicants are encouraged to submit recent photographs of the property to support their application. However, staff may recommend deferring the application or suggest postponing submission until site visits can safely resume.
Fees
| Application Fees |
| Applicable fees are identified on the corresponding application form(s) and in Appendix "J" of the Township's Fees and Charges By-law 2025-010. |
| How To Make Payment |
Payment can be made one of the following ways:
There is a 2.5% service charge when making payment with a credit card.
To make an e-transfer:
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| Deposits |
| A minimum deposit of $2,000 is required for most Planning Act applications. This deposit is refunded to the applicant once the application is closed—that is, when all fees have been paid and no invoices remain outstanding. |
| Refunds |
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If you choose to withdraw your application, a refund may be issued depending on the stage of the application process, as outlined below:
Note: Any application which has been withdrawn, or inactive (no material progress as determined by staff) for more than 12 months, shall be considered abandoned. A full application fee at the current rate shall be required to re-activate a withdrawn or abandoned application as a new application. |
Information Guides
Need a Consultant?
To assist you with your search of professional consultants in the area that you may wish to retain to complete a study, development plans, etc., as may be required, the Township has prepared a Consultant Resource List.
Blasting Permits
If rock blasting is required to facilitate your development on a waterfront property, you may require a blasting permit. Refer to the Township’s Blasting By-law for additional information.
Entrance Permits
If your property is located on a Township Road and does not currently have an entrance, or if you want to add another entrance, you must apply for an entrance permit.
Planning Notices
See upcoming Public Meetings, draft Official Plan amendments, and other planning notices in our Document Centre. You can also read documents and presentations specific to Oak Bay Development, Six Mile Lake and Macey Bay.
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