Residential Zones

R1 – Single detached Residential Zone

R2 – Single detached and Two Unit Residential Zone

R3 – Medium Density Residential Zone (3 to 8 units)

R4 – High Density Residential Zone (8+ units)

SR- Shoreline Residential

RR – Rural Residential

MHR – Mobile Home Residential

Commercial Zones

C1 – General Commercial – Traditional downtown areas

C2 – Highway Commercial

C3 – Tourist Commercial – Properties providing primarily tourist accommodations and camps

Industrial Zones

M1 – Light Industrial – Industrial uses primarily within a building that do not create significant compatibility issues

M2 – Heavy Industrial – Industrial uses more intensive in nature which may include portions of the operation outdoors

M3 – Extractive Industrial – Licensed pit and/or quarry operations

M4 – Waste Disposal Industrial – Public and private waste management uses

Agricultural and Rural Zones

A1 – Prime agricultural area

A2 – Prime agricultural area with restriction on residential uses

RU – Rural area with varied agricultural potential

Other Zones

CL – Crown Land

CF – Community Facilities

OS – Open Space

PSW – Provincially Significant Wetland

Overlay Zone

HZ – Hazard Waste Management

WM – Influence Area

A minor variance may be obtained in the event that an applicant requires a small variation from the provisions of the Zoning By-Law. After consulting with Planning Services, complete the Application for Minor Variance Form and include the following with your application:

• Two (2) copies of the Application for Minor Variance Form
•  One (1) copy of the Property Identification Sheet for the subject property
• One (1) sketch or drawing as outlined in the application form
• Municipal application fee of $700

The Property Identification Sheet can be obtained at the Land Registry Office in North Bay or by the Municipal Office (additional fee).

In certain circumstances it may be necessary to change the zoning designation of a property in order to proceed wth a particular development.  In such instances, a Zoning by-law amendment may be sought.

Step 1
Consult with Planning Services.

Step 2
Complete the Application for Official Plan Amendment/Zoning Amendment form. Include the following with your application:

•  A cheque, made payable to the Municipality of West Nipissing, to cover the application fee. Please note there are different fees for each type of application (Application to Amend the Official Plan and Application to Amend the Zoning By-law)
• Your written authorization (with dated, original signature), identifying by name the individual who will act as your agent or solicitor for filing and handling your Application(s), if you are using an agent or solicitor.
• Additional information which may be helpful in assessing an application, and/or any information and materials identified at the pre-application consultation meeting

Applicants are strongly recommended to submit photographs or other relevant documentation that will assist in evaluating the application. To avoid delays, please ensure all drawings are neat and legible, and that all dimensions are accurate.

A separate justification report may also be included to address any of the questions within the application.

Step 3
Submit the complete application package.

Step 4
The application is assessed for completeness and is either accepted or returned to the applicant, requesting further information (back to Step 3).

If the application is complete, the file is opened and timelines for processing are established. Once the application is accepted, all of the information that was submitted is open to review by the general public, including name, address, phone number, etc. This is a public process.

Step 5
A Municipal Review is conducted: A “Notice of Application” and a “Notice of Public Meeting” is circulated to the required agencies, departments, and nearby property owners. This may be published in the North Bay Nugget and/or The Tribune explaining the nature of the requested amendment(s), specifying the date, time, and location of the meeting and inviting comments. Comments and opinions submitted on this matter become part of the public record and may be viewed by the general public and published in the Report to Planning Committee and Council Agenda.

Step 6
Based on analysis of the application and the comments provided by the public, agencies and departments, the Planning Department prepares a report to the Planning Committee, summarizing their findings.

Step 7
A Public Meeting is held before the Planning Advisory Committee, as advertised. The owner/applicant/agent may make representation regarding their application. Any member of the public may appear before the Committee to comment on the application.

If a person or public body does not make oral or written submissions at the public meeting, or make written submissions to the Municipality before the proposed amendment(s) are adopted, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of the Council of the Municipality to the Ontario Municipal Board, nor will they be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal.

Step 8
Council deliberates the amendment at a Municipal Council Meeting.

Step 9
Following the Council meeting (within 15 days), a resolution is drafted, describing the decision and intention of Council regarding the application:

• Council will provide notice of an approval or refusal to the amendment to the owner/applicant/agent, and anyone who made written request to the Clerk during the process.
• Where an application is referred back to staff, the owner/applicant/agent should contact the planner on file to discuss the options and opportunities going forward, and for clarification of the referral.

Step 10
Following the decision of Council, and subject to the conditions specified in the Planning Act, an appeal may be made to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) by filing a notice of appeal with the Municipal Clerk.

New Planning user fees are now in effect as of March 23, 2023.

Begin your consent process by consulting with Planning Services to determine:

• the need for a consent and the type of consent involved (i.e., creation of a new lot, easement, lease, addition to a lot, right-of-way, mortgage, etc.);
• if a minor variance application or a rezoning application is required to amend a Zoning By-law;
• if there are any servicing requirements or limitations, or land dedications involved;
• if the proposal is beyond the scope of the consent process and is, for example, a subdivision situation.

After consulting with Planning Services, the application process takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks from beginning to certification.

Step 1
Complete the Application for Consent Process Form.

Step 2
Submit the application form to Planning Services along with all required plans and specifications as outlined in the form.

Step 3
The application form will be circulated by the Committee of Adjustment at least 14 days prior to their next committee meeting. The Committee will circulate the application to every person assessed to be within 60 metres of the subject property, and to prescribed agencies and Municipal Departments. Any other person or public body wanting to be notified of the Committee’s decision on the application must make a written request.

Step 4
A decision will be made on the application by the Committee of Adjustment.

Step 5
Within 15 days of the Committee’s decision, a copy of the decision will be mailed to the applicant, to anyone who submitted a written request, and to all prescribed agencies and Municipal Departments.

Step 6
An appeal may be made within 20 days of the Committee’s decision. If no appeal is made within this period, the decision is final and binding.

Step 7
Proceed to fulfill the conditions of consent. Prepare and submit the appropriate documents (e.g., a deed or mortgage) to the Committee of Adjustment for certification.

Good to know

• There are different fees for each type of consent application
• Other related applications may be processed concurrently during this process
• Applicants may be required to submit a separate justification report to address any of the questions within the application.
• When a consent is granted with conditions, the conditions must be fulfilled within one year of the “giving of notice of a decision” or the consent is deemed to be “refused.” Where a conditional consent has to be certified as to the fulfillment of the conditions, the consent “lapses” after two years from the date of the certificate.

After consulting with Planning Services, complete the Application for Subdivision Form and include the following with your application:

• Three (3) hard copy prints of the draft plan signed by the owner and surveyor
• Three (3) copies of the Application for Subdivision Form signed by the owner
• Three (3) copies of the background information report on the proposal (Please note that all plans must be in metric units)
• One (1) legible paper print or mylar of draft plan reduced to letter (8.5” x 11”) or legal (8.5” x 14”) size
• Municipal application fee of $1750 plus $100 per lot/block
• Supporting studies and information that may be required (e.g. a preliminary storm water management report, noise or traffic report, etc.)

Review your application with Planning Services before submitting to avoid possible errors or omissions.

After consulting with Planning Services, complete the Application for Condominium Form and include the following with your application:

• Five (5) copies of the Draft Plan of Condominium
• Two (2) copies of the Survey Plan

Good to know

• Several additional studies and plans may be required at the time of submission or prior to final approval, as outlined in Section 2 (page 3-4) of the application form. Consulting with Planning Services will ensure you include the necessary documents with your application submission to avoid processing delays.
• All information and materials required in support of your application will be made available to the public, as indicated by Section 1.0.1 of The Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, C.P.13.