Severances & Plans of Subdivisions

Severances

In accordance with the Planning Act, the creation of additional lots requires the granting of a Consent from the Committee of Adjustments or other municipal planning authority. Approval may be required from multiple parties including the municipality, conservation authorities, and adjoining landowners.

We can help you through the process of obtaining severance approval including preparing severance applications, obtaining the requisite consents, working with planners and engineers, and registering the required documents on title. We will ensure that your severance application is handled in a professional, timely, and efficient manner.

Subdivisions

When dividing land into numerous parcels (normally four or more), a municipality may require you to complete a plan of subdivision instead of a severance application. A plan of subdivision is a legal survey that divides a parcel of land into smaller lots or blocks and secures the developer’s obligations through a subdivision agreement. Additional requirements will be set out in a subdivision agreement, ensuring that all concerns of the municipality and other government agencies are adhered to by the developer. This process may also require Earthworks Agreements, Pre-Servicing Agreements, Cost Sharing Agreements and External Works Agreements.

Although the majority of the requirements for a plan of subdivision are enacted by the municipality, there may also be requirements from the province, conservation authorities, and other regulatory authorities. This governance is overseen by the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), which was formerly known as the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal (LPAT) or Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).

Whether you require a severance, or approval for a small, or large subdivision/development, we can assist you through the process and will ensure that your matter is handled in a professional, timely and efficient manner.