Applications
Please see updated process below for the submission of
development applications effective March 18, 2020.
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Pre-submission Consultation meetings are still required and will be held by video or teleconference. Please contact PlanningApplications@regionofwaterloo.ca to make arrangements.
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Development applications continue to be accepted in digital format. Applications received by Area Municipalities will be circulated to the Region by email. Applications submitted directly to the Region can be submitted to PlanningApplications@regionofwaterloo.ca
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Plan of Subdivision Application Form can be found here https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/resources/Applications/PLAN_OF_SUBDIVISION_APPLICATION_FORM.pdf
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Plan of Condominium Application Form can be found here https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/resources/Applications/PLAN_OF_CONDOMINIUM_APPLICATION_FORM.pdf
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Make a Payment. Payments can be made online or by cheque. To make arrangements for online payment please contact PlanningApplications@regionofwaterloo.ca. The Region asks that cheques be sent by mail or courier outlining the file number (if known), property address, application type and applicant name. Please mail cheques to:
The Region of Waterloo
Attn: Amanda Kutler
150 Frederick Street, 8th Floor
Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3 - Fee Schedule. View a copy of our Fee Schedule.
- Contacting Staff. All staff can be reached for any inquiries by email, using our Planning Contact List
- Questions? Please forward any questions to PlanningApplications@regionofwaterloo.ca
Waterloo Region is one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities. Striving to create an inclusive, thriving and sustainable community, the Region of Waterloo reviews development applications submitted under the Planning Act and is responsible for ensuring that Provincial planning regulations and Regional interests are protected through the implementation of the Regional Official Plan.
Our role:
- Meeting Provincial Plan requirements - All planning decisions must be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and conform to the Growth Plan, Greenbelt Plan, and Source Water Protection Plan
- Meeting Regional Official Plan requirements - All planning decisions must be consistent with the Regional Official Plan, including policies regarding growth management, meeting and maintaining minimum densities, protecting employment lands to maintain a prosperous and competitive economy, protecting our natural heritage and the Greenlands Network along with agricultural and rural areas, transit-oriented development, servicing our population, housing diversity, affordable housing. Implementation guidelines of the Regional Official Plan are available here for your review:
- Implementation Guideline for the Review of Development Applications on or Adjacent to Known and Potentially Contaminated Sites
- Implementation Guideline for Road Allowance Dedications Adjacent to Known and Potentially Contaminated Sites
- Greenlands Network Implementation Guideline
- Approval authority for all Area Municipal Official Plans and Official Plan Amendment Applications (including the City of Kitchener), draft plans of subdivision, and draft plans of condominium (excluding the City of Kitchener)
- Commenting agency on all Area Municipal zone change applications, site plans, consents and minor variance applications
- Engineering approvals for any work within the Region's right-of-way or impacting Regional infrastructure related to development (e.g. infrastructure, access, utilities)
Planning, Development and Legislative Services, through the Corridor Planning team, and Transportation and Environmental Services (Corridor Management and Design and Construction), are involved with engineering approvals. Corridor Planning reviews road access, lot grading plans and stormwater management reports, and their connection to the storm sewer in the right-of-way, Transportation Impact Studies and Transportation (road, rail) Noise Impact Studies. The majority of infrastructure review and utilities approvals are the responsibility of the Region's Transportation and Environmental Services department.
Regional Development Charges
Development Charges are required for all new developments in Waterloo Region.
Community Planning contacts
Region of Waterloo staff are responsible for providing approvals and/or comments on planning applications and development related activities to ensure that development complies with Regional policies and standards. For full contact details, please see our Planning Contact List.
Regional Development Application Processes and Submission Requirements
Regional Official Plan Amendment Process |
The Regional Official Plan is a statutory document that sets out land use policy to guide future growth and development. If an owner proposes to develop a property differently than what is prescribed by the Regional Official Plan, they must apply to the Region for a Regional Official Plan Amendment. Regional Council is the approval authority for Regional Official Plan Amendments. When you request an amendment to the Regional Official Plan:
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Area Municipal Official Plan Amendment Application |
An Official Plan is a statutory document that sets out land use policy to guide future growth and development. If an owner proposes to develop a property differently than what is prescribed by the Area Municipal Official Plan, they must apply for an Official Plan Amendment. The Region of Waterloo approves and provides comments on Official Plan Amendment applications. Visit your City or Township's website for more information about applying for an Area Municipal Official Plan Amendment: Please see Region of Waterloo Development Application Fees for more information about regional fees. |
Zoning By-law Amendment Application |
A Zoning By-law is a local planning document that outlines a set of regulations government land uses that help to implement policies of an Official Plan within a municipality. A Zoning By-law Amendment for individual properties is needed when a development proposal does not comply with the provisions of the approved Zoning By-law. The Region is a commenting agency for area municipalities with respect to Zoning By-law Amendment applications and reviews these applications to ensure the proposal is in keeping with Regional interests. Visit your City or Township's website for more information about applying for a Zoning By-law Amendment: Please see Region of Waterloo Development Application Fees for more information about regional fees. |
Plans of Subdivision and Condominium Applications |
Plan of Subdivision applications are typically needed when three or more parcels of land are proposed to be created/subdivided that will be sold individually, or new roads are being created, existing roads are being extended, and/or new services are being installed. Plan of Condominium applications are used as a form of ownership that can be applied to new or existing development. The Region of Waterloo is the approval authority (with the exception of the City of Kitchener) on applications for Plans of Subdivision and Condominium, which are circulated by the area municipality. Please contact us for accessible versions of the above application forms if needed. Please see Region of Waterloo Development Application Fees for more information about regional fees. |
Consent/Severance and Minor Variance Information |
The Region will provide comments on an application where properties are adjacent to Regional roads or infrastructure, or may have Regional interests. Further, the area municipality must be in receipt of a letter/email from the Region providing clearance of all Regional conditions, prior to final approval. Please see Region of Waterloo Development Application Fees for more information about regional fees. |
Site Plan Review |
The Region approves Regional engineering matters in Site Plan applications for projects that impact:
The Region reviews these Site Plan applications for a number of issues, including but not limited to:
Site Plan Applications must be circulated by the area municipality in which the subject development in situated. Once the submission requirements are satisfactory to the Region and prior to final approval, the applicant must ensure all requirements have been satisfied.
Looking for a site plan application in a Waterloo Region municipality? Refer to these application links:
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Status of Plans |
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