The Zoning By-Law is a comprehensive land use by-law that governs where certain land uses and buildings can be established in the Township. It also regulates setbacks of buildings from property lines, the height of buildings, how much parking they must provide, the minimum size of lots, and various other development matters. The 'zone' in Zoning By-Law comes from the basic principle that the Township is divided into a number of areas or zones (Hamlet, Rural etc.) where, for example, residential, industrial or commercial uses can be established.

The Zoning By-law is required to implement the land use policies set out in the Township’s 2024 Official Plan.  

This review provides an opportunity to modernize and streamline the Township’s zoning requirements, with consideration for new or revised definitions, zones, and standards to support the vision for future development in Lanark Highlands.

Share your thoughts using the "Provide Your Comments" box above.

Register with your name and contact information on this page to stay informed as the project progresses.

Join us at the public open house on September 15, 2026 at the Municipal Office from 2:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Attend the public meeting on September 22, 2026 at the Municipal Office commencing at 6:00 p.m.

Cleaning the Clutter: Move outdated diagrams, amendments, references, and other extra material to an appendix or companion document, and update administrative sections to reflect current best practices.

Definitions: Update dated definitions, add missing key terms, and remove regulatory language as legally required.

General Provisions: The discussion draft introduces a new “hobby farm” approach, allowing livestock based on a sliding scale of 1 livestock unit per hectare.

Recommended Zoning Updates: Recommended changes include revising which group homes are permitted as-of-right in residential areas and which require site-specific zoning approval. Updates are also proposed for additional residential unit (ARU) regulations, the introduction of an Environmental Protection B zone for locally identified and unevaluated wetlands with a standard 30 m water setback, new distinctions between commercial and hobby kennels, and moving recreation vehicle provisions from individual zones to the general provisions.

Base Residential Density: The most significant Land Use Zone change presented in the Discussion Draft relates to the base residential densities of the Rural (RU), Residential (R1) and Hamlet (H) zones.  It is recommended that Council consider the based residential density to be four residential units, which would make new Zoning By-law CMHC compliant.  

Aggregate: Mineral Aggregate Resource Reserves have been updated using current mapping, removing smaller non-viable deposits and reducing the need for Mineral Aggregate Impact Assessments (MAIA), while continuing to protect high-quality deposits outside Hamlets and key waterbody setbacks.

New Zone: The Discussion Draft has also formally recognized a “Floodplain Zone”, consistent with the most recent mapping from the MVCA.

Zoning Schedules: New schedules include updated wetland protection, Limited Service Residential lands, road classifications, and separate Hamlet and Village schedules.