Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment is appointed by Peterborough City Council to hear applications under the Planning Act for Consent, Permission, and Minor Variance from certain municipal by-laws and regulations.

For the Committee to approve a minor variance application it must:

• Be minor;
• Be desirable for the appropriate development or use;
• Maintain the general intent and purpose of the Zoning By-law; and
• Maintain the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan.

City Council appoints the five members of the Committee in accordance with the Planning Act.

The Committee meets monthly, as outlined in the schedule. Prior to each meeting, a notice of request is sent out to neighbouring property owners and commenting bodies. A Planner prepares a staff report and recommendations for the Committee. The report outlines municipal policies and input received in response to a Notice of Hearing.

Making a request

Use our Online Portal for an Application of Minor Variance and Consent or Severance to make a request to the Committee. Applications must include a concept plan based upon Ontario Land Survey information, an authorization form (if applicable), and an application fee. 

The concept plan should include the following:

• The boundaries and dimensions of the subject land;
• The location, size and type of all existing and proposed buildings and structures on the subject lands, indicating the distance of the buildings and structures from the front, rear, and side lot lines;
• The approximate location of all natural and artificial features on the subject land and on land that is adjacent to the subject land that, in the opinion of the applicant, may affect the application (such as buildings, railways, roads, watercourses, drainage ditches, river or stream banks, wetlands, wooded areas, wells and septic tanks);
• The current uses of land that is adjacent to the subject land;
• The location, width and name of any roads within or abutting the subject land, and whether it is an unopened road allowance, a public travelled road, a private road, or a right-of-way;
• If access to the subject land is by water only, the location of parking and docking facilities to be used; and
• The location and nature of any easement affecting the subject land. 

Where required by the Committee of Adjustment, such plan shall be signed by an Ontario Land Surveyor.

You should contact the Planner to discuss your proposal before sending us your application. Once you are ready to submit your application, complete the appropriate application electronically. If you are not the owner of the property or are a corporate owner, you will be required to submit the appropriate authorization form.  Once the application is received, the Secretary-Treasurer will contact you with instructions on submitting payment.

Committee of Adjustment Hearing Schedule

Hearing location: Meetings are currently being held in a hybrid format. Applicants and delegates may attend electronically, or in-person at City Hall. Please contact the Secretary-Treasurer for information about participating in a hearing.

Hearing time: 6 p.m.

Location, time, and dates are subject to change. Please contact the Secretary-Treasurer at cofa@peterborough.ca to confirm hearing dates and submission deadlines.

Note: Meeting the submission deadline does not guarantee that an application will be scheduled for the corresponding hearing date. Staff reserve the right to reschedule any application.