Minor Variance
The Municipality of Brockton Comprehensive Zoning By-Law is a legal document, which is used to control the use and development of properties and buildings.
A Minor Variance is a minor change to a performance or policy standard under the Zoning By-law. A Minor Variance does not often change the underlying zone of the property or the applicable permitted uses. Rather, a Minor Variance is a certificate of permission, because it allows a property owner to obtain a building permit even though their property does not comply precisely with the Municipal Zoning By-law.
Under Section 45(1) of the Planning Act there are four tests a Minor Variance must meet:
- Is the application minor?
- Is the application desirable for the appropriate development of the lands in question?
- Does the application conform to the general intent of the Zoning By-law?
- Does the application conform to the general intent of the Official Plan?
An application must meet all four (4) tests to be considered for a Minor Variance.
When is a minor variance required?
A Minor Variance is required to ensure minor property changes are in compliance with the Municipal Zoning By-law. A Minor Variance might be required when:
- provisions of the zoning by-law can’t be met by new construction
- an addition is proposed for a legal non-complying building
- creating new undersized lots through Consent
- legalizing the property prior to sale
What is the process for a minor variance?
A Minor Variance application process described here takes approximately thirty (30) days. The timeframe will vary for complicated applications.
Where can I find more information?
To find out more information about the Minor Variance application process, please visit the County of Bruce Land Use Planning Site. Here you can find the following:
- Form One – Application 2020, which is the Minor Variance Application Form
- Form Four - Information to Applicants - Minor Variance or Alteration to Legal Non-Conforming Use 2020, which is the County’s guide for Minor Variance Applications
- Site Plan (Sketch) Requirements 2020, which provides guidance on what details need to be included on the sketch or plan submitted as part of the application
- Application Fees - Effective March 5, 2020, which details the Minor Variance Application Fee
The application form and guide can be found on the County’s Land Use Planning page under Application Forms, at the following link: Land Use Planning | Bruce County Welcomes You
Contact the Brockton Building and Planning Manager below to begin the Minor Variance Process:
Dieter Weltz
Building and Planning Manager
Municipality of Brockton, Box 68, 100 Scott Street, Walkerton, ON NOG 2VO
Phone: 519-881-2223 Ext.127
Toll Free: 1-877-885-8084
Fax: 519-881-2991
Contact Us
Municipality of Brockton
100 Scott Street, P.O. Box 68,
Walkerton, Ontario N0G 2V0, Canada
Phone: 519-881-2223,
Toll Free: 1-877-885-8084,
Fax: 519-881-2991
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