Development Planning

• Planning in Ontario

  Planning in Ontario takes place within a multi-level policy hierarchy in which higher-level plans and policies help inform and guide decisions made at lower levels. Planning decisions made at the local level are meant to reflect and respond to each community’s unique situation and context. The multi-level framework means these decisions need to conform with plans and policies that have been put in place at higher levels of government, whether provincial or regional.

  The City of Barrie is a “single-tier” municipality. This means City decisions are not legally required to conform with plans and policies set by a regional-level government, though they must still conform with those set at the provincial level. In contrast, our neighbouring municipalities are considered “lower-tier” municipalities within the “upper-tier” County of Simcoe, and thus have to ensure their decisions match County-level policy.

  Planning Act 

  The Planning Act is the central piece of provincial legislation governing land use planning in Ontario. It provides the legal foundation for most of the tools that city planners and municipal councils use to make planning decisions. Other provincial statutes, including the Municipal Act, the Ontario Heritage Act, and the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, also help guide decisions made at the local level.

  Provincial Policy Statement   

  The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), issued under section 3 of the Planning Act, sets out policies regarding matters of provincial interest, such as managing natural resources, providing efficient infrastructure, and safeguarding public health and safety. The policies in the PPS are meant to guide long-term planning and development while ensuring that these and other matters of provincial interest are considered. Local decisions must be consistent with the PPS.

  Provincial Plans

  The Province also develops provincial plans, such as the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (commonly referred to simply as the “Growth Plan”), the Greenbelt Plan, and the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan. Local-level official plans must conform with these and other provincial plans.

  Working within this policy framework, local governments adopt policies and enact by-laws to address their own specific circumstances and to reflect their unique geography, culture, assets, and goals.

• Official Plan

  The City of Barrie’s Official Plan presents a vision for the future growth of Barrie and a policy framework to guide its organization and physical development. It also provides a foundation for the City’s planning strategies and infrastructure master plans.

  The Official Plan sets out where residential, commercial, institutional, and employment areas are to be located and how they will grow. It provides details about the City’s transportation network, sewer system, and water treatment facilities, as well as parks, recreational facilities, and community services.

  The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved the City of Barrie's Official Plan 2051, with 73 modifications, on April 11, 2023. The Official Plan 2051 replaces the Official Plan that was adopted in 2010. 

  See Official Plan Text & Maps

• Zoning By-law

  Barrie's Comprehensive Zoning By-law (By-law 2009-141) is the primary tool that the City uses to implement the vision set out in its Official Plan. The Zoning By-law establishes specific land-use designations prescribing how properties may be used and sets out standards for the physical form and organization of buildings on those properties. It also addresses such details as lot dimensions and coverage, building height and setbacks, parking requirements, and amenity space.

  Barrie residents may need to refer to the Zoning By-law from time to time, especially if they are considering an improvement or expansion to their home or business. Referring to the Zoning By-law is also recommended for those considering the sale or purchase of a particular property to ensure that the intended use of the property is in fact permitted in that zone.

• Research Studies, Strategies & Policies

  The City often undertakes background studies on specific planning-related topics to ensure that existing policies respond appropriately to current and emerging challenges and opportunities. These studies can also provide important background information for updates to the Official Plan and the Zoning By-law.

  Major planning studies can relate to matters such as affordable housing, environmental protection, downtown revitalization, heritage conservation, and economic development. These studies also involve public consultation and engagement, and residents are encouraged to get involved.

• Community Improvement Plans

  Community Improvement Plans (CIPs) enable the City to assist property owners in making improvements that will benefit the wider community. The City currently has two CIPs in effect—the Built Boundary CIP and the Georgian College Neighbourhood CIP—that offer a number of financial incentives for developers, business owners, and homeowners.

• Committee of Adjustment

  The Zoning By-law sets general rules and standards that cover the entire City of Barrie. Sometimes, however, it is appropriate to permit slight deviations from these standards for a particular piece of land. The Committee of Adjustment’s role is to determine when such deviations are appropriate.

  The Committee of Adjustment is a local decision-making body that operates under the Planning Act. Committee members are appointed by City Council, but the Committee operates at arm’s length from the City administration. The Committee of Adjustment meets once per month. 

  Learn more about the Committee of Adjustment

• BuildingBarrie.ca

  Visit buildingbarrie.ca to find public engagement and information sessions that might interest you. 

• Neighbourhood Meetings

  ​Attend Neighbourhood Meetings about proposed developments in your area.

  Notices are sent to residents living within 240m of the subject property. In addition, upcoming Neighbourhood Meetings are promoted via the community events calendar, e-bulletin to residents within the ward, X (previously Twitter) and Facebook. 

• Public Meetings

  ​Attend formal Public Meetings for development applications in order to have your say or to ask questions.

  Public notices advising of public meetings are sent to residents living within 120m of the subject property, and signage on the property also contains details. In addition, upcoming Public Meetings are posted at barrie.legistar.com (Planning Committee agendas) and promoted via the community events calendar, X (previously Twitter), and Facebook.

• ​Committee of Adjustment

  Provide comments at a Committee of Adjustment meeting about a proposal consent and minor variance changes in your neighbourhood.

Stay Informed

• Proposed Developments

  ​Visit the Development Projects page to view development applications currently in progress throughout Barrie. You can view details on each proposed development, as well as any plans or documents that have been made available to the public.

• Agendas & Meetings

  Review agendas for the Infrastructure, Investment and Development Services Committee, for General Committee, and for City Council, and attend their meetings.

• Public Notices​​

  Sign up for the public notices RSS feed to have new notices about complete applications, approvals and more sent directly to your inbox.