Development and Land Use Planning

The County of Lanark has the authority to approve consents (severances), plans of subdivision and condominium, condominium exemptions, part-lot control by-laws, local Official Plan Amendments and local Official Plan 5-Year Reviews.

Consent applications report to the Land Division Committee. Subdivision, condominium and official plan amendment application report to the economic development committee of Lanark County council.

The Planning Act

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:

• 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
• provide for planning processes that are fair by making them open, accessible, timely and efficient

The Citizen's Guide to The Planning Act provided by the Government of Ontario offers more information.

Consents (severances)

A land severance is the authorized separation of a piece of land to form a new lot or a new parcel of land. This is commonly known as a consent. It is required, if you want to sell, mortgage, charge or enter into any agreement (at least 21 years) for a portion of your land. View the forms & fees page (link to the forms & fees page) for further information on the consent process within Lanark County.

You can apply for a consent for:

• A new lot
• Lot addition
• Easement
• Charge or lease
• Correction of title

Understanding the consent application process (your step-by-step guide for consent-granting authorities) provided by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing offers more information.

Subdivisions and Condominiums

If you want to divide a piece of land into two or more lots in order to sell them, you need to complete a subdivision application form. (link to application or form page)

If you want to develop a new condominium or convert a building into a condominium property, you need to complete a condominium application form. (link to application or form page)

View the forms & fees page (link to the forms & fees page) for further information on the subdivision and condominium application process within Lanark County.

Part-lot control

According to the Planning Act, part lot control allows a property owner to sell a whole lot or block within a registered plan of subdivision. View the forms & fees page (link to the forms & fees page) for further information on part lot control application process within Lanark County.

Sustainable Communities Official Plan (SCOP)

Lanark County adopted its first Official Plan (SCOP) which combined an official plan under the Planning Act, with an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP). The SCOP provides for the implementation of land use policies through traditional tools, such as zoning and lot creation with a focus on the integration of sustainable practices regardless of political boundaries. The ICSP part of the plan identifies goals and objectives designed to enhance community sustainability.

To view the Official Plan on our online mapping system, select the "Official Plan A - Land Use" or "Official Plan B - Source Water Protection" from the layers box. (legend) 

Official Plan Schedule "A"  PDF version (125KB) (Revised January, 2017) 

Official Plan Schedule "B" PDF version (8 MB) (Revised January, 2017)

Amendments

OPA#1– Remove “Licensed Aggregate Extraction Operation” designation and replace with “Rural “ designation – Pt. Lot 26 Conc. 2 geographic Township of Pakenham, now in the Municipality of Mississippi Mills.

​OPA#2 – Remove “Licensed Aggregate Extraction Operation” designation and replace with “Rural” designation – Pt. Lot 9 Conc. 1 Township of Montague.

OPA#3 - Add policies relating to “Source Water Protection” and add Schedule ‘B' Source Water Protection areas.

OPA#4 - Redistribute the Municipal boundary of the Town of Perth to reflect its current municipal jurisdiction, and to redistribute the settlement area within the municipal boundary to reflect the 'Minutes of Settlement' agreed to by the Town, County and Province in respect to the Town's appeal of the SCOP to the Ontario Municipal Board.