The Township of Lanark Highlands Building Department issues building permits, reviews construction and development plans, and performs onsite project inspections.

The Building Department's mandate is to promote and assist development in compliance with the regulations established by the Ontario Building Code , Lanark Highlands Zoning By-Law and all other applicable law.

If you plan to begin a construction project, we recommend you contact our office in your early planning stages so we can help identify the steps for your consideration and this will avoid potential costly delays and disappointments.

If you are unsure whether you require a building permit, contact the Building Department. It is the property owner's responsibility to obtain a building permit prior to any construction launch or alterations.

If you are planning to build near a waterway, or if your project will in any way disrupt, reroute, alter, fill or impact a nearby waterway, you must contact your local conservation authority to determine if you need additional permits or permissions.

Here are some definitions from the Ontario Building Code Act. Check also the Guide to Building for more information on what does and doesn't require a permit.

"Building" means any of:

• a structure occupying an area greater than ten square metres consisting of a wall, roof and floor or any of them or a structural system serving the function thereof including all plumbing, works, fixtures and service systems appurtenant thereto
• a structure occupying an area of ten square metres or less that contains plumbing, including the plumbing appurtenant thereto
• plumbing not located in a structure
• a sewage system
• structures designated in the building code

Looking for more information on Additional Residential Units? By-Law No. 2023-1841 A By-Law to Amend Zoning By-Law No. 2003-451 to Allow Additional Residential Units (ARUs).pdf

Interested in Tiny Home Information? Tiny Home Information.pdf

All building within the Township of Lanark Highlands is governed by the Ontario Building Code and local By-laws. Any new construction over 15 square meeting, if it will be attached to an existing building or is a major renovation will require a Building Permit. In order to obtain a permit the application form must be filled out and submitted with a complete set of drawings, specification, permit fees and approvals from any other relevant agencies. The Building Department will review all items and issue a permit accordingly.

"Construct" (or "construction") means to do anything in the erection, installation, extension or material alteration or repair of a building and includes the installation of a building unit fabricated or moved from elsewhere.

"Demolish" (or "demolition") means to do anything in the removal of a building or any material part thereof.

All building within the Township of Lanark Highlands is governed by the Ontario Building Code and local By-laws. Any new construction over 15 square meeting, if it will be attached to an existing building or is a major renovation will require a Building Permit. In order to obtain a permit the application form must be filled out and submitted with a complete set of drawings, specification, permit fees and approvals from any other relevant agencies. The Building Department will review all items and issue a permit accordingly.

In order to avoid delays when making an application it is recommended that you pre-consult with the Building Department as well as the Planning Department as early as you can in the design stage of your project. In particular, the zoning and location of a specific property may affect the required design limitations.

After a permit has been issued, the applicant and/or property owner are responsible to notify the building department of readiness for the mandatory inspection stages. It is recommended that 2 business days notice are given prior to the inspection to ensure it is conducted when your building schedule needs it. Booking an inspection either by phone or in person is the preferred method and can be done at 75 George St. Lanark or at 613-259-2398 during regular office hours 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Looking for more information on Additional Residential Units? By-Law No. 2023-1841 A By-Law to Amend Zoning By-Law No. 2003-451 to Allow Additional Residential Units (ARUs).pdf

Interested in Tiny Home Information? Tiny Home Information.pdf

The Planning Department establishes policies, regulations and standards guiding land use and development in Lanark Highlands and ensures compliance with provincial building regulations.

The Planning Department deals with all matters that fall under the Planning Act including plans of subdivisions, consents, official plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments, minor variances, and site plan control.

For more information on:

• The Planning Act
• The Official Plan
• Zoning By-Law
• Minor Variances
• Applications and Fees
• Zoning Compliance Report
• Site Plan Control
• Consents and Subdivisions

Clyde River Waterfront ParkDirections:

The Clyde River Park is located at the end of Hillier Street in Lanark Village. The park includes park benches/picnic area, swings, a small play structure and sandy beach area. Canoes and kayaks can easily be launched from this area. A larger Boat Launch Area is located at the corner of Clarence Street and Canning Street in Lanark Village, which is more ideal for larger, motorized boats.

Centennial ParkDirections:

Centennial Park Boat Launch and Beach is located on Lavant Mill Road, 6km North West of County Road 12 in McDonalds Corners, West of the Village of Lanark. There is a small park and boat launch by the bridge.

Dalhousie Lake BeachDirections:

Dalhousie Lake Public Beach is located on Lavant Mill Road, 1km past Centennial Park. The long stretch of sandy beach is a great place for the family to spend a hot summer day.

Lavant Community Centre Park

Robertson Lake Beach in Lanark Highlands is located on 4101 South Lavant Road (County Road 16) East of Lavant Station. There is also a Hall available for rental, boat launch, public washrooms, change room, and baseball diamond.

Public Health Weekly Beach Results

The Community Affairs Department is responsible for the development and provision of recreational programs and services. In collaboration with community groups and residents, through the planning and delivery of an array of recreational initiatives, the department strives to foster active and healthy lifestyles, encourage youth engagement, develop community leadership and strengthen community pride and identity.

The Department consists of a:

• Manager of Facilities / Community Affairs
• Parks & Recreation Lead Hand

See our community calendar for upcoming events in Lanark Highlands.

Looking to rent one of our amazing facilities? Click Here.

Municipal Applications

Zoning By-law Amendment Application

Minor Variance Application

Official Plan Amendment Application

Site Plan Application

County of Lanark Planning Applications

Consent Application       

Subdivision Application  

Fees

MVCA 2024 - Fee Schedule

By-Law No.2022-1799 To Prescribe a Tariff of Fees for Planning

The owner of a property or any person authorized in writing by the owner who is unable to comply with the provisions of the Zoning By-Law may apply to the Committee of Adjustment by means of an “Application for Minor Variance” for relief from the Zoning By-Law.  Minor Variances may be granted provided that, in the opinion of the Committee, the request is minor in nature, is desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land, building or structure and if, in the opinion of the Committee, the general intent and purpose of the Zoning By-Law and the Official Plan are maintained. A minor variance does not change a zoning by-law.  It simply excuses you from a specific requirement of the by-law and allows you to obtain a building permit.

The Committee of Adjustment is composed of 7 members, who are appointed by the Council of the Township of Lanark Highlands. The authority of the Committee of Adjustment is set out in the Planning Act.

Applications

Information regarding the proposed Minor Variances will be available for public inspection at the Township of Lanark Highlands Municipal Office BY APPOINTMENT ONLY during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For Questions or Comments on the application, please email Forbes Symon at . For alternate forms of documents, please contact Avery Dowdall at .

Minor Variance Applications

If you wish to apply to the Committee of Adjustment you should obtain and complete the application form. The application form outlines the requirements for submitting an application for minor variance.  The requirements include a site plan or survey which will indicate the location of the property, the setbacks of all buildings or structures on the property and sufficient information to clearly identify the variance required. If you are acting as an agent for the purposes of the application, a letter of authorization is required from the registered owner of the property.

Application

Applications are also available at the Municipal Office.

How Much will it Cost?

The application fee is outlined on the application form, payable at the time an application is submitted.  Fees may be paid by cash, cheque or debit.  If the fee is being paid by cheque, the cheque must be made payable to: “Township of Lanark Highlands”.

What Happens Once the Application is Submitted?

The application is circulated to other Township Departments and various agencies for their comments.  Notice of all Committee of Adjustment applications is also sent, by mail, to all property owners within 60.0 meters (200 ft.) of the subject property.  Following the circulation period, all correspondence will be reviewed and the Township Planner will determine if the proposal meets all requirements and prepare a report for the Committee of Adjustment.  The Committee of Adjustment will then decide to approve, approve with conditions, or not approve the application.

What Happens at the Meeting?

At the hearing, the Township Planner or Planning Assistant will present the Report to the Committee.  Presentations may also be made by any other interested parties in support of or in objection to your application.  The Committee considers all presentations for and against your proposal and renders a verbal decision in the presence of all interested parties at the time of the Public Meeting.  An approval of your application may be subject to such conditions and/or restrictions as the Committee deems appropriate.  If an individual wishes to receive a copy of a Committee decision their request must be in writing.

Please Note that third-party appeals for Minor Variance applications have been eliminated through Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022. As a result, no one other than the applicant, the municipality, certain public bodies, and the Minister are permitted to appeal minor variance decisions.

What Happens After the Meeting?

A written decision from the Committee will be sent to the applicant, agent and all persons who requested a copy of the decision by Certified Mail within ten days from the date of the hearing.  At the end of the twenty-day appeal period, if no appeal has been filed by an eligible person or public body as noted above,the decision will become final and binding.

Appeal Provisions

The decision of the Committee of Adjustment is subject to appeal within twenty days from the date that the decision is signed.  During the appeal period, any person having an interest in the application may file an appeal of the Committee’s decision to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.  The notice of appeal is filed with the Secretary-Treasurer of the Committee of Adjustment.  The notice of appeal must be in writing and outline the reasons for the objection.  A cheque for the required fee, payable to “The Minister of Finance”, must be included with a notice of appeal.  The notice of appeal, the fee and all required documents will be forwarded by The Secretary-Treasurer to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

A zoning by-law controls the use of land in your community. It states exactly:

• how land may be used
• where buildings and other structures can be located
• the types of buildings that are permitted and how they may be used
• the lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights and setbacks from the street.

An official plan sets out the Township’s general policies for future land use. Zoning by-laws put the plan into effect and provide for its day-to-day administration. They contain specific requirements that are legally enforceable. Construction or new development that does not comply with a zoning by-law is not allowed, and the Township will refuse to issue a building permit.

Applications

Information regarding the proposed zoning by-law amendments will be available for public inspection at the Township of Lanark Highlands Municipal Office BY APPOINTMENT ONLY during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. For Questions or Comments on the application, please email Forbes Symon at . For alternate forms of documents, please contact Sarah Hobbs at .

Zoning By-Law Documents

** Section 4 Amended by By-law 2007-785

** Housekeeping By-Law-By-Law No. 2004-548 To Amend 2003-451 

Additional Residential Units (ARU's) By-Law No. 2023-1841 A By-Law to Amend Zoning By-Law No. 2003-451 to Allow Additional Residential Units (ARUs)

Zoning By-Law Amendments

If you want to use or develop your property in a way that is not permitted by the zoning by-law, you may apply for a zoning change, also known as a zoning by-law amendment or a rezoning. 

How are Zoning By-Laws Evaluated?

When council considers a zoning by-law, they evaluate it against criteria such as:

• conformity with the official plan and compatibility with adjacent uses of land
• suitability of the land for the proposed purpose, including the size and shape of the lot(s) being created
• adequacy of vehicular access, water supply, sewage disposal
• the risk of flooding.

When council considers a zoning by-law, its decision shall be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement issued under the Planning Act. The Provincial Policy Statement contains clear, overall policy directions on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development. The “shall be consistent with” rule means that a council is obliged to ensure that the policies of the Provincial Policy Statement are applied as an essential part of the land use planning decision-making process.

Zoning By-Law Amendment Applications

Before you apply for rezoning, you should talk to Township staff for advice and information. You must complete an application form which requires information identified by the Planning Act and the municipality.

The application form outlines the requirements for submitting an application for a Zoning By-Law Amendment. If you are acting as an agent for the purposes of the application, a letter of authorization is required from the registered owner of the property.

Application 

Applications are also available at the Municipal Office.

How Much will it Cost?

The application fee is outlined on the application form, payable at the time an application is submitted. Fees may be paid by cash, cheque or debit. If the fee is being paid by cheque, the cheque must be made payable to: “Township of Lanark Highlands”.

What Happens Once the Application is Submitted?

The application is circulated to other Township Departments and various agencies for their comments, as well as to all property owners within 120 metres of the subject site. A notice will be installed on the property briefly describing the proposal.

All correspondence will be reviewed and the Township Planner will prepare a report with a recommendation to approve or refuse the rezoning application. The report will then be presented at a Public Meeting.

If the recommendation is to approve the rezoning the necessary by-law will be considered at the next Council Meeting, which generally is held immediately following the Public Meeting. Council will then adopt a By-Law approving the necessary rezoning for the specific parcel of land.

What Happens After the Meeting?

If Council approves the proposed amendment and passes a by-law, the by-law will be circulated to give interested parties the chance to appeal. A 20-day appeal period is provided for, once notice of Adoption of the By-Law has been given. If no appeals are received by the end of the appeal period, the amendment is in full force and effect.

Appeal Provisions

The process for dealing with zoning by-law amendments is the same as for a zoning by-law. If local council refuses your zoning application, or if it does not make a decision within 120 days of the receipt of your application containing the prescribed information, you may appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Township of Lanark Highlands - Official Plan Review

0940-OP-22002 LH OPA 8 Notice of Decision ISSUED

0940-OP-22002 LH OPA 8-Decision-ISSUED

Final Approved with OPA 3 June 19, 2024

Schedule A Land Use Transportation 1_2 

Schedule A2 Lanark Village Land Use Transportation

Schedule B Development Constraints

Schedule B2 Development Constraints

Schedule C Natural Heritage Features

What is an Official Plan By-Law?

An official plan describes your upper, lower or single–tier municipal council's policies on how land in your community should be used. It is prepared with input from you and others in your community and helps to ensure that future planning and development will meet the specific needs of your community.

Applications

Information regarding the proposed official plan amendments will be available for public inspection at the Township of Lanark Highlands Municipal Office BY APPOINTMENT ONLY during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. For Questions or Comments on the application, please email Forbes Symon at . For alternate forms of documents, please contact Sarah Hobbs at .

Why do you need an official plan?

The Official Plan:

• lets the public know what the municipality's general land use planning policies are
• makes sure that growth is coordinated and focused on expansion and intensification within strategic growth areas
• helps all members of the community understand how their land may be used now and in the future
• helps decide where roads, watermains, sewers, garbage dumps, parks and other services will be built
• provides a framework for establishing municipal zoning by-laws to set local regulations and standards, like the size of lots and height of buildings
• provides a way to evaluate and settle conflicting land uses while meeting local, regional and provincial interests
• shows council's commitment to the future growth of the community.

Official Plan Amendments

An official plan amendment is a formal document that changes a municipality's official plan. Changes may be needed because of new circumstances in the community or because of requests made by property owners.

Official Plan Amendment Applications

Before you apply for an Official Plan Amendment, you should talk to Township staff for advice and information. You must complete an application form which requires information identified by the Planning Act and the municipality.

The application form outlines the requirements for submitting an application for an Official Plan Amendment. If you are acting as an agent for the purposes of the application, a letter of authorization is required from the registered owner of the property.

Application

Applications are also available at the Municipal Office.

How Much will it Cost?

The application fee is outlined on the application form, payable at the time an application is submitted. Fees may be paid by cash, cheque or debit. If the fee is being paid by cheque, the cheque must be made payable to: “Township of Lanark Highlands”.

What Happens Once the Application is Submitted?

The application is circulated to other Township Departments and various agencies for their comments, as well as to all property owners within 120 metres of the subject site. A notice will be installed on the property briefly describing the proposal.

All correspondence will be reviewed and the Township Planner will prepare a report with a recommendation to approve or refuse the Official Plan Amendment application. The report will then be presented at a Public Meeting.

If the recommendation is to approve the Official Plan Amendment the necessary by-law will be considered at the next Council Meeting, which generally is held immediately following the Public Meeting. Council will then adopt a By-Law approving the necessary Official Plan Amendment for the specific parcel of land.

What Happens After the Meeting?

If Council approves the proposed amendment and passes a by-law, the by-law will be circulated to give interested parties the chance to appeal. A 20-day appeal period is provided for, once notice of Adoption of the By-Law has been given. If no appeals are received by the end of the appeal period, the amendment is in full force and effect.

Appeal Provisions

The process for dealing with official plan amendments is the same as for an official plan by-law. If local council refuses your official plan amendment application, or if it does not make a decision within 120 days of the receipt of your application containing the prescribed information, you may appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal.