Planning and Building

Official plan

An official plan sets out a municipality's general policies for future land use, and states the land use planning goals that guide development.

Zoning

Zoning by-laws establish and regulate land use by implementing the general policies from the Official Plan.

Minor variance

If a development proposal does not conform exactly to a Zoning By-law, but meets the general intent and purpose and complies with the Official Plan, an application may be made for a minor variance.

Consent (Severance)

All division of land in Ontario is subject to subdivision control, either through a plan of subdivision or consent approval to ensure that the new lots are consistent with the planning policies set out in the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws.

Site plan

Site plan control by-laws require certain types of buildings or developments to obtain “site plan approval” prior to construction.

Development charges

The Township of Warwick does not have development charges.

Reports and publications

• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Citizens Guide to the Planning Act
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Land Use Planning and the Building Code