PLANNING AND LAND USE IN ONTARIO

The Planning Act refers to specific land use to promote sustainable economic development in a healthy natural environment.

It is important that each municipality:

  • protect the ecological systems,
  • conserve features of significant architectural, cultural, historical facilities,
  • develop safe and healthy communities,
  • ensure the accessibility of facilities and services for persons with disabilities,
  • provide and distribute educational, heath, social, cultural and recreation facilities in a strategic manner.

Specific dedication to parks, recreation and culture facilities are set out in the Planning Act and related regulations. As a condition of development or redevelopment of lands for industrial or commercial use two (2) percent of the land is to be conveyed to the municipality for park or other public recreation purposes. For all other developments, such as subdivisions, five (5) percent of the land is to be conveyed for parks and recreation purposes.

However, at the discretion of the regional or local municipality, a Council can demand the cash value in lieu of accepting lands for parks and recreational purposes. These funds and any earnings derived from the investment of the money must be kept in a special account to be spent only for the acquisition of land to be used for park or other public recreation purposes, including the erection or repair of buildings and the acquisition of machinery for park or other public recreational purposes.

The main Acts affecting Planning in Ontario are:

Development Charges Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 27
Relevant regulations under this Act: O. Reg. 82/98 GeneralO. Reg. 192/07 Toronto-York subway extension The Act grants municipalities the authority to enact a development charge by-law. Specifically,...
Expropriations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.26
Regulations under the Act:R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 363 - FormsR.R.O. 1990, Reg. 364 - RULES TO BE APPLIED FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUBSECTION 32 (1) OF THE ACT The Act outlines the rights and obligations of the ...
Greenbelt Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 1
Regulations under this Act: O. Reg. 59/05 Designation of greenbelt areaO. Reg. 348/07 Hearings conducted by a hearing officerO. Reg. 61/05 Prescribed applications, matters, proceedings and policies f...
Municipal Affairs Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.46
Regulations under this Act: R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 816 Tax arrears and tax sale procedures The Act details the authority that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs maintains in the administration of the affa...
Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.2
Regulations under this Act: R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 826 Designation of area of development controlR.R.O. 1990, Reg. 827 Designation of planning areaR.R.O. 1990, Reg. 828 Development within the development ...
Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 31
Regulations under this Act: O. Reg. 1/02 Designation of the Oak Ridges Moraine areaO. Reg. 369/06 Hearings conducted by a hearing officerO. Reg. 141/02 Municipalities that are required to prepare and...
Ontario Municipal Board Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.28
Regulations under this Act: R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 888 Fees The Act governs and details the powers and general jurisdiction of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). Through the Act, the Board is conferr...
Ontario Planning and Development Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 23, Sched. A
The Ontario Planning and Development Act (OPDA) details the objectives of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the steps required during the approval process of a development plan. Simila...
Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13
Regulations under the Act: O. Reg. 384/94 – Apartments in Houses O. Reg. 353/02 – Approval Authority – Plans of Subdivision O. Reg. 221/07 – Community Improvement Plans – Prescribed Upper-Tier Muni...
Road Access Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.34
The purpose of the Act is to prevent the arbitrary closing of private or “access” roads and to resolve potential disputes that occur when the property of one party is landlocked and the only vehicle a...
Shoreline Property Assistance Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.10
Regulations under this Act: R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 1017 General The Act authorizes municipalities to borrow money from the Province to make loans to the owners of shoreline properties for the constructio...
Strong Communities (Planning Amendment) Act
On November 30, 2004, the Strong Communities (Planning Amendment) Act, 2004 received Royal Assent.  This Act amends the Planning Act.  The purpose of the Act, is to address municipal concern...
Territorial Division Act S.O. 2002, CHAPTER 17
Regulations under this Act: O. Reg. 180/03 ivision of Ontario into Geographic Areas The Act provides for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to divide the Province into geographic areas an...



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The documents, information and links published on the LIN website have been collected and prepared as a general guide for the users’ convenience and refer to portions of legislation considered relevant to parks, recreation and culture but should not be used as a substitute for the legislation itself or for legal advice. Despite the care taken in preparing and maintaining the LIN website, documents, information and links, LIN and Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO), and their employees, contractors, managers, directors and other officers can in no way be held responsible for damages caused directly or indirectly by use of the LIN website, documents, information or links. Persons accessing this information assume full responsibility for the use of the information and understand and agree that LIN and PRO are not responsible or liable for any claim, loss or damage arising from the use of this information.