Planning

A Minor Variance is an application to provide specific relief from provisions of the City of Stratford Zoning By-law. The City of Stratford Committee of Adjustment considers Minor Variance applications for approval.

A Minor Variance allows the property owner to obtain a building permit even if their development proposal does not comply with the zoning by-law. Under Section 45(1) of the Planning Act, a Minor Variance must meet the four tests:

1) Is the application minor in nature?

2) Is the application desirable for the appropriate development of the lands in question?

3) Does the application conform to the general intent of the Zoning By-law?

4) Does the application conform to the general intent of the Township's Official Plan? 

It is important to note that to consider any application, a Minor Variance must meet all four tests.

To apply for a Minor Variance, please complete the form below: 

Minor Variance Application Form 

A Consent is required if you want to sell (sever) or mortgage a portion of your land or enter into an agreement/lease for a period of 21 years or more. The City of Stratford Committee of Adjustment considers Consent applications for approval. Both the severed and retained lots must conform to the Official Plan and the Zoning By-law. If the proposal does not comply with the Zoning By-law, a Minor Variance may be required and applied for at the same time as the Consent Application.

To apply for a Consent, please complete the form below: 

Consent Application Form 

A Site Plan is a drawing, or set of drawings, showing the layout of the property including but not limited to proposed buildings, driveways, parking areas, pedestrian sidewalks, landscaping, fences, exterior lighting, grading, drains and municipal services. Through the Site Plan Approval process, this ensures that a proposal is designed according to City standards, is compatible with surrounding uses, and minimizes any negative impacts. 

A Site Plan Control By-law applies which designates the entire City of Stratford as a Site Plan Control Area. All commercial, institutional, industrial and residential developments (more than 10 units) and commercial parking lots are generally subject to Site Plan Approval. Additions or building use changes that substantially change the usability of a building are also subject to site plan approval. Site Plan Approval is required before the issuance of a building permit. 

Before applying for a Site Plan Approval, it is highly recommended to complete the Formal Consultation process. The Formal Consultation allows Planning staff to identify any issues with the application, provide initial feedback on the development, and identify studies that will be required for a complete Site Plan Approval Application.

To apply for a Site Plan Approval or amendment to an existing Site Plan Approval, please complete the form below:

Site Plan Application Form

If a proposal does not meet the requirements of the Zoning By-law, an application for an amendment may be required for a proposal to move forward. 

A notice is circulated for all complete Zoning By-law Amendment applications to provide neighbouring property owners and citizens an opportunity to share their input on development proposals that may affect them. A statutory public meeting is held before any decisions are made on a Zoning By-law Amendment Application. This meeting provides a forum where members of the public can share their input on an application or ask clarifying questions about a proposal.

Before applying for a Zoning By-law Amendment, it is highly recommended to complete the Formal Consultation process. The Formal Consultation allows Planning staff to identify any issues with the application, provide initial feedback on the development, and identify studies that will be required for a complete Zoning By-law Amendment Application.

To apply for a Zoning by-law Amendment, please complete the form below:

Zoning By-law Amendment Application Form

If a proposal does not meet the requirements of the Official Plan, an application for an amendment may be required for a proposal to move forward. 

A notice is circulated for all complete Official Plan Amendment applications to provide neighbouring property owners and citizens an opportunity to share their input on development proposals that may affect them. A statutory public meeting is held before any decisions are made on an Official Plan Amendment Application. This meeting provides a forum where members of the public can share their input on an application or ask clarifying questions about a proposal.

Before applying for an Official Plan Amendment, it is highly recommended to complete the Formal Consultation process. The Formal Consultation allows Planning staff to identify any issues with the application, provide initial feedback on the development, and identify studies that will be required for a complete Official Plan Amendment Application.

To apply for an Official Plan Amendment, please complete the form below:

Official Plan Amendment Application Form

A Draft Plan of Subdivision is generally required when an applicant wants to create five or more lots. A registered Plan of Subdivision creates new, separate parcels of land that can be legally sold individually. It shows how a property is proposed to be subdivided, including but not limited to servicing, parkland dedication, protection of natural heritage features, and other site-specific information.

Subdivision approval ensures that:

• the land is suitable for its proposed new use;
• the proposal conforms with the City’s Official Plan and Provincial legislation such as the Planning Act and the Provincial Planning Statement; and
• communities are protected from developments that are inappropriate or may put undue strain on community facilities, services or finances.

Before applying for a Draft Plan of Subdivision, it is highly recommended to complete the Formal Consultation process. The Formal Consultation allows Planning staff to identify any issues with the application, provide initial feedback on the development, and identify studies that will be required for a complete Draft Plan of Subdivision Application.

To apply for a Draft Plan of Subdivision:

Draft Plan of Subdivision Application Form

A Plan of Condominium is a form of ownership or type of land status that can be found in residential, commercial, industrial developments or a combination of such developments. Commonly, each unit/lot is individually owned with shared facilities known as common elements, including hallways, elevators, parking areas, private roads and amenity areas etc. There are several common types of Condominiums, including Standard Condominiums, Vacant Land Condominiums, Common Element Condominiums, and the Conversion from a Rental to a Condominium.

Before applying for a Draft Plan of Condominium, it is highly recommended to complete the Formal Consultation process. The Formal Consultation allows Planning staff to identify any issues with the application, provide initial feedback on the development, and identify studies that will be required for a complete Draft Plan of Condominium Application.

To apply for a Draft Plan of Condominium:

Draft Plan Condominium Application Form

The Planning Act authorizes municipalities to pass by-laws, through Council, to exempt land from Part Lot Control, allowing a landowner to further subdivide a lot or block that had previously been created by way of a Registered Plan of Subdivision. Exemption from the Part Lot Control provisions of the Planning Act allows lots to be further subdivided without requiring a new submission of a Consent (severance) or Draft Plan Of Subdivision application. 

To apply for Part Lot Control:

Part Lot Control Application Form

Stratford’s Official Plan is the City’s visionary policy document that contains goals, objectives and guiding principles for land use. The Official Plan acts as a road map for how the community should develop including housing, employment areas, community facilities, transportation networks, and much more.

An Official Plan is necessary to inform land use planning decisions and to ensure compatibility between land uses (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial) while balancing the protection of our cultural heritage resources and the natural environment. An Official Plan also ensures that the City is better prepared to accommodate a growing community through the provision of parks, schools, recreation spaces, and infrastructure.

The City is currently in the process of reviewing its Official Plan. For more information, including studies, reports, key dates, and to subscribe for project updates, please visit the project page on Engage Stratford.

City of Stratford Official Plan

Schedule A- Land Use Plan

Schedule B- Natural Heritage and Natural Hazards

Schedule C- SPP Significant Threat Areas

Schedule D- Road Network

Schedule E- Heritage Areas and Corridors

Appendix I- Heritage Conservation District

The Comprehensive Zoning By-Law is the City’s primary tool to regulate how land may be used; where buildings and other structures can be located; the types of buildings that are permitted and how they may be used, and the lot sizes and dimensions; parking requirements, building heights and densities; and setbacks from the street. The Zoning By-Law divides all land in the City into various zone categories (i.e., residential, commercial, industrial, institutional), and identifies standards around the placement of buildings and structures throughout the City.

Zoning By-Laws are necessary to reflect the policies set out by the City’s Official Plan and to ensure orderly development. It provides a legal and precise way of managing land use and future development while also helping to protect the community from conflicting land uses. 

You can use the Interactive Map to check the zoning for a property - in addition to Official Plan Land Uses, and Heritage Properties, among others. To view specific zoning information, click on "Layers" on the bottom left hand side and check off the "Comprehensive Zoning By-law" Layer. You can search for specific properties using the search bar on the top right hand side of the window.

City of Stratford Comprehensive Zoning By-law 10-2022 

A copy of the FADM can be requested by email, or by calling 519-271-0250 ext. 5345.

The following documents are available upon request:

• Heritage Conservation District Standards
• Urban Design and Landscape Guidelines 

 Useful Links

•  The Planning Act
•  Provincial Planning Statement
•  Citizen's Guide to Land Use Planning

To request a zoning and building information report, please complete the Request for a Zoning and Building Information Report Form.

Requests can be submitted by email to planning@stratford.ca, mailed or delivered in person to City Hall Annex (82 Erie Street, 3rd Floor, Stratford). 

A survey is a dimension plan of a property, including lot lines and may include fixed features (i.e., buildings, structures, fences, retaining walls, etc.).

To commence a survey search for your property, a request can be made by completing a Request for Copies Form. Requests can be submitted by email to planning@stratford.ca, mailed or delivered in person to City Hall Annex (82 Erie Street, 3rd Floor, Stratford). 

If a survey is located, it shall only be released to the registered property owner (confirmed by photo identification). If the request is being submitted by someone other than the property owner, a signed Authorized Agent Form is required. There is an estimated five business day turnaround for requests.

If no survey is located in our files, you may consider the following options:

• A survey may be available through the Ontario Land Registry Office. 
• If you know the survey firm which conducted a survey for your property, you may contact the firm to request a copy of the survey.
• You may hire an Ontario Land Surveyor to perform surveying services.

To commence a new or change of address request can be made by completing Change of Address Form available here: 

Request for New or Change of Address Form

Authorized Agent Form

Requests can be submitted by email to building@stratford.ca, mailed or delivered in person to City Hall Annex (82 Erie Street, 3rd Floor, Stratford). 

• Growth Studies
• Library Services
• Parks and Recreation Services
• Police and Fire Protection Services
• Public Works (Facilities & Fleet)
• Services Relating to a Highway
• Waste Diversion Services
• Water and Wastewater Services

• Stormwater Management *

*Note that there are additional Stormwater Management Charges for residential and commercial projects in the Riverbend Areas. Please review Bylaw 41-2022.

Please see the 2022 Development Charges Background Study for more information.

Charges are applicable to all lands, buildings, or structures that are developed for residential and non-residential use.  You may be required to pay development charges if you are:

• Constructing a new building
• Making an addition or alteration that increases the number of residential units or non-residential floor area. Additional dwelling units in a basement, or as an addition to a home, or as a detached structure, may qualify for a development charge exemption under the Development Charges Act.
• Redeveloping or altering a property that results in a change of use to all or part of the building. Developments are eligible for credits against development charges owing where buildings or structures have been demolished to permit the redevelopment of the property. The eligibility for demolition credits is restricted to demolitions that occur within five years of the redevelopment of the property.

For a complete list of exemptions, please refer to Bylaw 41-2022. Exemptions include:

• Enlarging an existing residence
• The creation of less than two additional dwelling units in an existing single detached residence
• The creation of one additional dwelling unit in a semi-detached dwelling, row dwelling, or other residential dwelling
• Development of existing commercial buildings provided the square-footage is not increased
• The creation of a residence within an existing building located in the Heritage Conservation District
• The conversion of industrial buildings into residential use within the Factory District (Special Policy Area No. 7)
• An industrial development
• An accessory building
• Any use permitted under Section 39 of the Planning Act

Purpose-built rental housing developments and developments that have been approved for a Community Improvement Plan Incentive may qualify for a deferral and conditional exemption of City Development Charges. If you are planning to develop these types of uses, please contact the city for further information.

Development charges are collected by the City of Stratford at the issuance of a building permit.

Where a development charge or any part of it remains unpaid after it is payable, the amount unpaid will be added to the tax roll and will be collected in the same manner as taxes.

Residential Development Charges are calculated per dwelling. Commercial/Institutional Development Charges are charged per square foot (ft²).

Development Charges are payable in money or by the provision of services, or by a combination of both.  Where services are provided in full or in partial satisfaction of a development charge, the City will credit the owner with an amount equal to the reasonable cost, as agreed to by the City and the owner.

Under circumstances outlined in the By-law, a credit for existing development may apply for development or redevelopment.

Development Charges are adjusted annually on 1 January and are subject to change without notice.

Treasurer's Statement

The City Treasurer is required to produce an annual statement showing detailed information about each reserve fund established to account for development charge revenues. The statement documents the continuity of each reserve fund, including the description of each service, opening and closing balances, details of any credit transactions, details of any borrowing from the reserve fund that may have occurred, the amount spent on growth related projects, the portion of each project that is funded from the reserve fund and the portion funded from other sources of financing.

2025 Schedule of Development Charges

Development Charges are adjusted annually on January 1 and are subject to change without notice.

Development Charges (April 6 to December 31,2025):

Residential (per unit charge):

Commercial (per square foot charge):

   Commercial/Institutional Buildings: $2.93

Additional Development Charges for Riverbend Stormwater Areas:

Residential (per unit charge):

Commercial (per square foot charge):

   Commercial/Institutional Buildings: $1.26

The amount of each development charge per residential equivalent is allocated by City services as follows:

• Public Works: 5.11%
• Fire Protection: 2.42%
• Policing: 3.49%
• Parks and Recreation: 23.72%
• Library: 4.41%
• Growth Studies: 1.93%
• Waste Diversion: 4.60%
• Services Relating to a Highway: 24.51%
• Water Services: 2.47%
• Wastewater Services: 27.35%