Planning and Land Use

Common applications and the fee schedule are available at the links below. (PDF)

If you would like to arrange a consultation with our Planning Coordinator, please fill out the Planning Application Pre-Consultation Request to start the process.

• Application Fees
• Consent Applications
• Minor Variance Applications
• Official Plan Amendment Applications
• Zoning By-law Amendment Applications

A Plan of Subdivision provides for a parcel of land to be legally divided to establish new public streets and to divide land into multiples lots or blocks.

Any proposal for the creation of four severed lots and one retained, and any proposal that requires the extension of municipal services, regardless of the number of new lots created, shall take place by Plan of Subdivision.

The Municipality of Sioux Lookout has the authority to review and approve plans of subdivision as delegated by the Province of Ontario under the Planning Act.

Condominiums are a form of property ownership in which title to a unit, such as individual apartment in a high-rise building, is held by an individual together with a share of the rest of the property, which is common to all owners. A Condominium plan is like a plan of subdivision in that it is a way of dividing property.

The Municipality of Sioux Lookout has the authority to review and approve plans of condominium as delegated by the Province of Ontario under the Planning Act.

The Plan of Subdivision and Condominium process looks like this:

• Pre-consultation meeting
• Applicant prepares application
• Circulation of application
• Notice of Public Meeting
• Council meeting
• Notice of Decision and Conditions
• Decision circulated
• Appeal period
• Final decision

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• Application for Subdivision Approval
• Citizen's Guide to Subdivision

• Citizens Guide to Land Use provides a comprehensive overview of the structure of land use planning and polices at the Provincial and Municipal levels. 
• The Planning Act is a provincial legislation that sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario. It describes how land uses may be controlled, and who may control them.
• Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 is a consolidated statement of the provincial government's policies on land use planning. It gives provincial policy direction on key land use planning issues affecting communities such as:
  • Making land available for development
  • Creating opportunities for economic development and job creation
  • Protecting the environment and important resources
  • Protecting people, property and community resources by directing development away from natural or human-made hazards.

Site plan control is a planning tool that a municipality uses to evaluate certain site elements, such as walkways, parking areas, landscaping or exterior design on a parcel of land where development is proposed. This control over detailed site-specific matters ensures that a development proposal is well designed, fits in with the surrounding uses and minimizes any negative impacts.

All lands within the Municipality of Sioux Lookout have been designated as Site Plan Control Area.

All development within the Municipality of Sioux Lookout is subject to a site plan control except a residential development containing less than ten (10) dwelling units.

Contact the Development Services Department for more information on Site Plan Control applications.

The Official Plan Designation and Zoning of your property determines permitted uses on your property. If your proposed development is not permitted on your property, you may need to pursue an Official Plan Amendment and/or a Zoning By-Law Amendment.

You can determine the Official Plan Designation and Zoning of your property by reading the maps included in the Official Plan and Zoning By-Law. 

You can also send an enquiry to the Planning Coordinator via email: [email protected] or phone: 807-737-2700 ext. 8003. 

You can pick up paper copies of an application form from the Development Services Department located inside the Municipal Office at 25 Fifth Ave; OR you can request for electronic copies of the form via email: [email protected]

The Council of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout is the approval authority for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-Law Amendment.

The Municipality of Sioux Lookout’s Committee of Adjustment is the approval authority for Consent and Minor Variance Applications.

The Council of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout regularly hold a meeting on the third Wednesday of every month. Public meetings to consider planning applications are held prior to the commencement of council meetings. You can find upcoming Council meetings on the Council Agendas page.

The Municipality of Sioux Lookout’s Committee of Adjustment do not have a fixed meeting schedule, and only meet when there is an active planning application to consider. The committee members select the date to hold a meeting to consider a planning application.

All proposed lots must have direct frontage or access to a publicly maintained road or an existing private road. 

All proposed lots must meet the minimum lot area and lot frontage requirements for the zoning of the property. A planning application may be required where a proposed lot does not meet the minimum lot area and frontage requirements.

All proposed lots must have a potential to connect to municipal water and sewage, if available. Where municipal water and sewage does not exist, the applicant must submit confirmation from the Northwestern Health Unit that a septic system and a private well/other water source can be situated on the proposed lot.

Please refer to the Secondary Dwelling Unit page.

Yes, someone else besides the property owner can submit a planning application, provided they have written consent from the property owner; and/or the owner signs off on the application.