If you plan to alter the use of your property that is not within your property's existing zoning requirements, standards and permitted uses with the City of St. Catharines, you must apply for a Zoning By-law amendment or minor variance.
Book a pre-consultation
Before applying for a Zoning By-law Amendment or minor variance, contact us for a pre-consultation. Ensure you have a detailed concept plan prepared. We will help determine:
- Your property's permitted uses, standards and zoning designation
- Whether you need to apply for a Zoning By-law amendment or minor variance
- Any studies, plans and/or reports needed alongside your application
Why you may need a Zoning By-law amendment
A Zoning By-law amendment may be required if you plan to:
- Completely change the use of your property
- Perform changes to your property and building's minimum parking, minimum setbacks, maximum height, and/or maximum building coverage
- Perform a build or usage that is not currently permitted in your existing zoning area (such as adding a basement apartment to a home in a neighbourhood zoned for single dwellings only, or adding a retail store to a commercial property that permits only office use)
Apply for a Zoning By-law amendment
After your pre-consultation with staff, you can apply for a Zoning By-law amendment by completing our Zoning By-law Amendment Application Form. Submit your completed form to our Planning Services department.
The application will be reviewed by our staff, then submitted to Council with recommendations. We will let you know of any necessary revisions. It can take approximately four months to receive final approval on the amendment, with timing dependent on application details, Council meeting schedules, complexity of issues and if an appeal must be submitted to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
Why you may need a minor variance
If you are only making minor changes to your property that results in minimal variations to the current Zoning By-law requirements, you must apply for a minor variance. This is determined through your pre-consultation.
Rates and fees
View our rates and fees for costs associated with pre-consultation meetings, Zoning By-law amendments and minor variances. Your pre-consultation fee is discounted from the full amendment fee.