Planning and Development Services

busy downtown square

If you're looking to develop or make a change to your property, the City of Peterborough provides services related to the required application processes and regulations on aspects such as:

We take a multi-disciplinary approach involving planners, engineers, building inspectors, urban designers, landscape architects and other stakeholders, depending on the application.

Plan-Build Peterborough Customer Service Desk

Plan-Build Peterborough customer service desk is a coordinated customer contact point for planning and building services inquiries, simplifying the process for building permits and development applications. On Planning Wednesdays, a planning staff member will be at the kiosk to discuss land-use planning processes and requirements.

The customer service kiosk is located in the north wing of City Hall, in the Building Services Division.

Public Meetings

The General Committee of Council is holding public meetings for applications under Sections 17 and 34 of the Planning Act.  

Monday, June 5, 2023

Applications for Zoning By-law Amendments

File Number: Z2201
Affected Lands: 53-59 Leahy's Lane

File Number: Z2304
Affected Lands: 376 Rubidge Street

Applications for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments

File Number: O2201 and Z2202
Affected Lands: 550 Braidwood Avenue

See the Notice of Public Meeting for additional details. 

 

Any person may observe public meetings by livestreaming the General Committee meeting.

Any person may make written or verbal representation either in support of or in opposition to an application as follows:

a) Register as a delegate to speak at the Public Meeting. Delegations must register by 11 a.m. on the day of the meeting by completing the Request for Delegation or by phone, 705-742-7777 ext. 1820 (please quote the file number). Unregistered delegations are not permitted.

b) Written submissions must be received by 11:00 a.m. the day of the meeting either by mail, by dropping off to the City drop box located outside the main entrance to City Hall, 500 George Street North, or by e-mail (please quote the file number).

For more information about how to watch or participate in a public meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Department at 705-742-7777 ext. 1820. 

Be advised that under the Planning Act, all information and material submitted regarding planning applications is public information and, as such, will be made available to the public. The minutes of public meetings and public hearings are also part of the public record. Anyone who attends a public meeting and enters their name on the attendance list or speaks publicly at the meeting understands that their name, address (if provided), comments, and any document that they distribute will be collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public.

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment reviews consent, minor variance and permission requests under the Planning Act.

Official Plan

The Official Plan is the City's key planning document that guides the long-term growth and development of the City. It describes the goals, objectives and policies which guide our land use decisions.

Pre-consultation

A pre-consultation meeting with City Staff is required prior to the submission of a development application for:

  • Official Plan Amendment
  • Zoning By-Law Amendment
  • Site-Plan
  • Plan of Subdivision
  • Plan of Condominium.

Zoning

Peterborough's Zoning By-law establishes and regulates the use of land by implementing the policies of our Official Plan. If you're looking for information on the types of uses allowed on a specific property, building height regulations, development density, or parking, you'll want to look at the Zoning By-law. Visit our zoning page to learn how to find the zoning information for a property and to find links to the amendment application form.

Subdivisions

There are four ways that you can divide a large property into smaller properties or divide the ownership of a property or building into multiple ownerships: plan of subdivision; plan of condominium; part lot control exemption; and severance consent. Visit our subdivisions page to learn about this process and to find links to the application forms.

Engineering design standards

The Engineering Design Standards for the City of Peterborough are specifications and requirements that are used for the design of works within the City on municipally-owned road allowances, municipally-owned property, and municipally-owned infrastructure on easements as well as projects subject to municipal approval or contributing to the municipal system. The information provides guidance beyond legislative and standard design practices for use in the City.

For any inquiries about the City's Engineering Design Standards, please contact Water Resources and Municipal Engineer Joe Burke.

Development Approvals Review Findings Report

In April 2021, the City retained Performance Concepts Consulting and Dillon Consulting (the “Consultant”), to undertake a comprehensive review of the Development Approval Process, co-ordinated by the Planning Division, to identify and examine opportunities for improvements. The objective is to develop more efficient and consistent processes and improve service delivery, both internally and externally.

The Development Approval Process review was funded by the Provincial Government through the Audit and Accountability Fund Grant Program.  The intent of the Audit and Accountability Fund Grant Program is to support Ontario municipalities that are committed to identifying and implementing service delivery efficiencies.  The program requires an impartial and objective third-party review to identify efficiencies. The third party Development Approvals Process Report can be downloaded and viewed below along with appendix.

Development Approvals Process Review Report 

Technical Appendix A: City of Branford - Delegation Report