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Planning and Building

The Municipality of Brighton Planning and Development Services Department is located in the Industrial Park at 67 Sharp Road.

This department consists of 3 sections:

• Planning
  
• Building
  
• By-law Enforcement

Planning & Building Services

By-law Enforcement Services

Planning and Building Forms and Applications

Planning Application Forms and Fees

CHARGES AND FEES

Development Charges By-Law 044-2009

Permit Fees

In accordance with Building By Law 015 – 2001

ALL PLANS MUST BE PREPARED BY A CERTIFIED B.C.I.N. DESIGNER
Note: A homeowner may prepare construction drawings if the building is to be owned by them.
Addition information available at www.obc.mah.gov.on.ca
A Security Deposit of $1,000 applies to all new dwelling units. Deposit is refunded upon completion of the house. (Owner to request refund in writing quoting building permit #) All fees due may be paid with one cheque payable to the Municipality of Brighton.

Planning Process

WHAT DO WE DO

The Planning Department has two main areas of responsibility: Development / Approvals and Policy Planning, working together with the ‘Council’ to guide the development of the Municipality.

The Development and Approvals area is the review/approval for new development proposals and applications in the Municipality. We provide quality land use planning advice, engineering review and support to council relative to the growth and development of the community. The primary activities of the Development Approvals area involve the administration, co-ordination, and processing of land use planning and development proposals pursuant to the Ontario Planning Act.

The Policy Planning is responsible for establishing and maintaining the Official Plan and developing policies to support the goals of the Plan in the future. In addition to developing and reviewing the current official plan, the section carries out research, seeks out public input, and leads major research projects that affect land use planning and development in the long term. We are working today to produce a single official plan for the Municipality that will respect the existing policies in each previous official plan and allow for a more coordinated approach for the entire township.

The Planning Department is committed to providing quality customer service that results in timely responses to development proposals and with providing quality policy planning research and implementation.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is a Zoning By-law?
A: A Zoning By-Law is a document approved by Municipal Council which defines the permitted uses and development standards for specific areas or "zones". The Zoning By-Law is a precise document which must be in conformity with the municipality's Official Plan, the more general policy document of the municipality.

Zoning By-Laws provide municipalities with a way to co-ordinate land uses and protect areas by preventing incompatible uses and establish appropriate standards for development. A typical zone contains a list of uses that are permitted in the zone and regulations related to lot size, lot development standards, setbacks from lot lines, building height and building size. The zoning by-law also contains general provisions which relate to all areas. Typically these regulations contain standards for accessory buildings, building close to hazards such as railway tracks or flood plains and the provision of parking.

Q: What is a Minor Variance?
A: A Minor Variance is the safety valve in the zoning process. It is used to recognize unique circumstances. It is a process for the varying the provisions within a specific zone, but not to change the zone itself. For instance where a residential zone requires a certain minimum lot size, a variance can be used to legalize a minor change to the size. The variance cannot be used to change a residential zone to a commercial zone or to allow a use that is not currently allowed in the zone - that would require a full rezoning.
For more information visit the Citizens Guide Series at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Web site.

Q: What Zoning By-law is used by the Municipality of Brighton?
A: There is one zoning by-law in place in the Municipality of Brighton. This By-law (No. 140-2002) is referred to as the Comprehensive Zoning By-law. By-law No. 140-2002 was passed by Council on December 16, 2002. There have been a number of amendments (rezonings) since the original approval.

Q: How do I know which Zone my property is in?
A: To determine the zone which applies to a piece of land, the zone maps are consulted. The maps illustrate the Municipality and the location of the various zones. To determine the requirements of a particular zone, the text of the By-Law is consulted. The Planning and Development Services Department off the Municipality is responsible for verifying the zone which applies to a particular property. The Planning Department is located at 67 Sharp Road, Brighton

Q: What is an Official Plan?
A: The Official Plan is a comprehensive framework containing objectives and policies established by Town Council primarily to provide for the physical development of the municipality. As such, it is the pivotal blueprint for all municipal planning activity. The development and maintenance of these plans as well as working on the new plan for the amalgamated Municipality of Brighton, is the responsibility of the Planning section.

The Official Plan is adopted by Municipal Council and approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Generally, the Official Plan consists of both text, which describes the policies of the Municipality on how the land within the community should be used, and a series of map schedules, which delineate the location of the various land use designations or any special policy areas. The Official Plan is prepared with consultation and input from the community and helps to ensure that future planning and development will meet the Municipality's specific needs. The Official Plan deals mainly with issues such as:

For more information visit the Citizens' Guide Series at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Web site.

Q: What Official Plan is used By the Municipality of Brighton
A: There are currently two Official Plans in effect from the two former municipalities:

These two Official Plans are in place in the Municipality as a result of the amalgamation of the Town and the Township of Brighton at the beginnings of 2001. These Official Plans will remain in force until a new plan for the entire Municipality is adopted and approved to replace them.

Q: How do I know which Official Plan policies apply to my property?
A: To determine the policies of the Official Plan which apply to a piece of land, both the text and map schedules of the applicable Official Plan document should be consulted. The map schedules illustrate the Town and Township and the location and limits of the various land use designations. To determine the policies, objectives and development standards of a particular land use designation, the text of the Official Plan is consulted. For site specific Official Plan Amendments and general policy issues, visit the Planning Department at 67 Sharp Road, Brighton

Although it is recognized that the Plans' policies are essentially sound, Council, Planning Committee, staff and the public have had some concerns following amalgamation regarding the ability of the current Official Plans to meet the City's future land use planning needs. There are concerns that the Plans are aging in terms of the physical, social and demographic changes that have occurred over time within the Municipality.

A single, revised Official Plan is needed to update the Municipality planning strategy, to harmonize the existing policies and to incorporate Provincial policy directions such as the Provincial Policy Statement and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

Q: What steps are involved in the Brighton Official Plan review?
A: The initial steps of the Official Plan program will require gathering background information from agencies such as various Provincial Ministries, the local Health Unit and Lower Trent Conservation. The existing Official Plans will be reviewed and new policies will be developed as appropriate. It is anticipated that the entire process will take approximately 18 months. During this period there will be consultation with the public, stakeholders and external agencies. It is anticipated that there will be a number of public open houses in addition to the public meetings required under the Planning Act.

It is anticipated that a draft of the updated Official Plan will be available for review during the summer of 2007. This will be followed by agency review and public consultation and presented to Council for the more formal adoption process as set out in the Planning Act.

Following approval of the Official Plan, a program will begin its implementation through updating and harmonizing the regulatory provisions of the zoning by-laws.

Q: What work has yet to be completed?
A: The Municipality’s Planning Department has started working towards creating an updated Official Plan for the Municipality of Brighton, which will integrate the two plans currently in existence.

Further studies need to be completed which will address Transportation (Overpass, underpass, bypass), availability of industrial / commercially zoned land and the development / use of the waterfront.

Transportation Study – The Municipality has to address the health and safety issues that delays at the railway crossings pose. Whilst an overpass has been considered for three locations a more integrated study is required which looks at current and future traffic flow through the town.

Waterfront Strategy - The Municipality has little readily available waterfront and it is an important asset to the Town and its residents and contributes greatly to quality of life. The Waterfront Strategy is a first step to "take stock" of Brighton’s waterfront. It will provide a framework for waterfront plan(s). The waterfront strategy will build on and provide more detail on the waterfront vision and fundamental principles established through public consultation.

Municipality Owned Industrial Land Development Strategy - Will result in an overall vision and strategy for the long-term development of City owned industrial properties; review the servicing plans (water, sewer, electric, etc.) for existing industrial lots and any required expansion; and make recommendations for the Municipalities policies and the regulations affecting industrial lands. The Municipalities objective is to ensure the availability and accessibility of suitable lands for business and industrial development. This will enable the municipality to attract new businesses to Brighton and promote the expansion of existing local businesses, resulting in new jobs and an increased tax base.

Building Permits

A building permit is your formal permission to begin construction or demolition. It means that the Municipality of Brighton has reviewed the plans for any new structure, addition or renovation. Plans must comply with the Ontario Building Code, local zoning by-laws, and other applicable laws and regulations.

Building permits regulate the type of construction allowed in the community and help to ensure building standards are met. The building permit process protects each homeowner's interests, as well as those of the community and helps to ensure that any structural change is safe, legal and sound.

When obtaining a permit, you can also take advantage of the professional expertise of Building Division staff. They can often offer suggestions to help solve construction problems, often before they occur.

However, it is the building owner who is ultimately responsible for complying with all building requirements and your designer or contractor may get permits on your behalf.

WHEN DO I NEED TO GET A BUILDING PERMIT?

You must obtain a building permit before you do any of the following:

You do not need a building permit to:

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT GET A PERMIT?

It is unlawful to start construction without the necessary permits. If you start construction without the necessary permits, you may be ordered to stop work, ordered to remove work already done, or prosecuted. You then will be required to obtain a Building Permit and the fee for such will be DOUBLED. Contact the Building Official if you are not sure whether you need a permit for your project.

WHAT DOES THE BUILDING INSPECTOR DO?

A building inspector reviews projects during key stages of construction to ensure work complies with the Ontario Building Code and the plans originally submitted for review. The inspector may visit a site several times depending on the project. They must be able to see the work that requires inspection. An inspector requires a minimum of 48 hours notice to book an inspection.

WHEN I PURCHASE A HOME, SHOULD I CONSULT A BUILDING INSPECTOR?

The Municipality does not conduct pre-purchase inspections. (For information on purchasing the services of a pre-purchase building inspection service, please refer to the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory.)

However, if you have questions or concerns about your new home, or to determine if a finished basement or apartment is legal and meets the Ontario Building Code and Brighton Property Standards requirements, you can contact the Municipality's Building Department.

WHERE DO I APPLY FOR A PERMIT?

Please contact the Building Department to make an appointment to apply for a building permit. Office Hours Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Telephone: 613-475-1162. Building permits will be issued within 2 weeks of receipt of application, so please ensure you submit your application well in advance of your proposed start of construction.