Apply to review the zoning of your project in advance of a building permit submission.
Note that this is not for a legal Zoning Verification Letter. Please visit our Access to Information page to obtain a legal Zoning Verification Letter.
Planning Division
Welcome to the Planning Division at the Town of Grimsby.
A planning department's primary role in a municipality is to manage land use, guide development, and ensure a community's growth aligns with its vision and goals. It helps guide how a community grows and develops and works with residents, businesses, and local leaders to make decisions about land use, zoning, new developments, and community improvements.
Town planning is driven by input from various community stakeholders. This includes the public, developers, Town Council, and several standing committees. The volume and type of applications are divided amongst staff including development, policy, permits, and compliance.
An application or permit received by the staff is often required to go through various tests to ensure its suitability for the Town. Guided by the Official Plan, the process can include elements of public consultation, site visits, committee meetings and Council approval.
In essence, a planning department acts as a facilitator and regulator, guiding development in a way that balances the needs of residents, businesses, and the environment.
Whether it's shaping neighbourhoods, preserving green spaces, or planning for future transportation needs, the planning department plays a key role in creating safe, vibrant, and well-organized places to live and work.
To send a general inquiry to the Planning Department, please contact: planning@grimsby.ca
Official Plan and Zoning By-law
The Town's Official Plan sets out the Town's general policies for future land use. The Town's Zoning By-law puts the Official Plan into effect and provides for its day-to-day administration.
For more information on how to make a planning application (Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, Site Plan, Draft Plan of Subdivision/Condominium), please visit the Planning Applications page.
A formal Pre-Consultation Meeting is required prior to the submission of an application for an Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, Draft Plan of Subdivision/Condominium, and/or Site Plan. At the discretion of Planning staff, a formal Pre-Consultation Meeting may be required Consent and Minor Variance applications.
Information on making a minor variance or consent application can be obtained by visiting the minor variance and lot creation pages.
Throughout the Town, there are many active applications for Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, Draft Plan of Subdivision and/or Draft Plan of Condominium. For more information about these active applications, please visit the Current Planning Applications page.
The Planning Department also undertakes a variety land use related studies on behalf of the Town. To learn more about current and past planning initiatives, please visit the Planning Studies page.
The Planning and Building Annual Report is a new addition to the Town’s data collection efforts and further strengthens our commitment to public engagement.
Contact Us
Town of Grimsby
160 Livingston Avenue
Grimsby ON, L3M 0J5
Phone: 905-945-9634
Fax: 905-945-5010
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