Planning Applications

Thames Centre's Planning and Development Department, supported by Middlesex County's Planning Office, is responsible for assisting Council and members of the public with land use planning. This includes:

Determining how communities should be shaped
Where homes and businesses should be built
Where parks and schools should be located
Where and how other essential services should be provided

Before submitting any kind of planning application, please contact us about your project and needs. We're happy to help guide you through the process and ensure that you have everything you need before you apply.

Minor Variance

Minor Variance Application Form

What is a Minor Variance?

A minor variance is a small variation from the requirements of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law. A minor variance approval is a certificate of permission, because it allows the property owner to obtain a building permit even though their property does not comply precisely with the zoning By-law. You can follow this process if you wish to use your property in a way that does not meet current Zoning regulations.

Minor Variances may be made for small issues, such as changes to:

Building setbacks
Parking requirements
Property structures (i.e., building a new deck or garage)

When is a Minor Variance required?

A minor variance might be required when:

provisions of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law can't be met by new construction
an addition is proposed for a legal non-complying building
creating new undersized lot through Consent
legalizing the property prior to sale

Severance (Consent)

Consent Application

Land severances are the responsibility of the Middlesex County. County Council members are appointed to the Land Division Committee who makes decisions about land severances.

Official Plan Amendment

Official Plan Amendment Application

Middlesex County oversees Official Plan Amendment applications, which are required with a change in land use designation or a change to the Official Plan is sought.

Site Plan Approval

Site Plan Approval Application

Site Plan approval is required for all commercial, industrial, institutional, private recreational, and medium or high density residential types of development when:

Constructing or placing one or more structures on the property
Altering the interior and/or exterior of a structure on the property that increases the usability of the property
Increasing the size of a structure on the property by 30% gross floor area on industrial properties or 20% gross floor area in all other zones
Constructing or adding five or more parking spaces to a commercial, institutional, or industrial parking lot
Amending an existing site plan, elevation plan, landscape plan, and/or servicing plan or an existing site plan agreement with the Municipality

Zoning By-law Amendment

Zoning By-law Amendment Application

If you want to use or develop a property in a way that is not currently permitted by the Zoning By-Law, you can apply for a Zone Change.

This application can be submitted to the Municipality with the required supporting documents and fees. Additional planning applications may be required, depending on the type of development proposed.

Official Plan and Zoning

The Municipality's Official Plan and Zoning By-laws regulate land use and planning throughout the communities. You'll need to make sure that your building or planning proposal complies with the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws.

Development Charges

Depending on your application, you may need to pay development charges to cover the cost of infrastructure to service your new development. Review the development charges for the Municipality on the dedicated Development Charges page.

Miscellaneous Requests

Planning and Development Services Document Search Request:

(E.g., property files, permit cards, septic plans, building plans, survey, reference or registered plan, etc.)

If you are the owner of the property:

Complete a Planning and Development Services Document Search Request Form and email it to astorrey@thamescentre.on.ca.
The request base fee is $5.00 and $7.50/15 minutes for record search/redaction if applicable.
Once the form has been received, you will be provided with next steps/payment instructions.
The timeline for this request is 2-5 business days.

If you are not the owner of the property:

Please reach out to clerk@thamescentre.on.ca to confirm whether a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request is required.

Zoning Certificate

(E.g., Open Building Permits, Outstanding Work Orders, Servicing Information, Planning Application Status, etc.)

Mail and fax a formal request letter to the municipal office.
The fee is $200.00 per property (roll number) or $250.00 for a rush request per property.
If payment by cheque is unavailable, contact the municipal office for additional payment options.
The timeline for this request is 2-5 business days.

Zoning Confirmation Letter

(E.g., Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC), Propane Exchange)

Mail and fax a formal request letter to the municipal office.
The fee is $100.00 per property (roll number).
If payment by cheque is unavailable, contact the municipal office for additional payment options.
The timeline for this request is 2-5 business days.