Committee of Adjustment

Submit your Committee of Adjustment application online!

You may now submit your Committee of Adjustment application through our online portal linked below. Save time with online submissions and payment options. Choose "Other Permits" to start your application.

Public Portal - Register for an Account 

The portal will take you through the steps to submit a Committee of Adjustment application.

NOTE - Declaration Form required

Applicants are advised that the regulations under the Planning Act require applicants to swear a Declaration confirming that the contents of the application are true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.  You will find the required Declaration Form here. Following submission of your application online, planning staff will contact you for an appointment to swear the Declaration, either virtually or in person at City Hall. Alternatively, you may swear the Declaration in front of a Commissioner for Taking Oaths and submit it with your application through the Portal.

Public Portal Frequently Asked Questions

When applying 

To help you through the Committee of Adjustment process, below are two helpful guides:

• Minor Variance Information Guide
• Consent Information Guide

Applications for the Committee of Adjustment can be found on the planning application page. Review the digital submission guidelines prior to submitting your application.

Water and Sewer Lateral Service Agreement

Should you be required to complete a Lateral Service Agreement as a condition of your provisional consent, the Water and Sewer Lateral Service Guide will help you through the process.

The application can be found in the planning application page.

I’ve received a Notice of Public Hearing, what does it mean?  Do I have to do anything?

• You have received the Notice as you are a property owner within 60m of a property subject to a Committee of Adjustment application.  The Planning Act requires that all properties within 60m be circulated by regular mail.
• The Notice provides information regarding the purpose of the application, and a drawing showing the proposal.
• You do not need to do anything, but if you wish to, the Notice will provide details as to how you can comment and/or attend the virtual hearing to observe and/or ask questions.

I’ve seen a Notice of Hearing Sign posted on a property, what does it mean?

• The Committee of Adjustment webpage will provide all the details regarding the application being made on the subject lands.
• The Notice of Hearing posted on the webpage will provide details regarding commenting on the application.
• The webpage also provides the link to the virtual hearing conducted through Zoom.

Is there a way to participate, give comments and ask questions?  Can anyone attend the virtual hearing?  

• The Committee of Adjustment Hearing, held over the Zoom platform, is open to any member of the public to attend to observe or ask questions. 
• You can attend by either using your computer and accessing the Zoom link to the meeting on the webpage, or by calling in with the call-in option noted on the Notice of Hearing.
• You may provide written comment prior to the Hearing which will be shared with the Applicant and the Committee Members, as well as posted to the Committee webpage.
• All comments received, including comments from the public, City Divisions, external agencies, as well as a report from a City Planner on the merits of the application, are posted to the Committee webpage prior to the hearing date.
• Please review the Notice of Hearing for deadlines with respect to submitting written comments.
• At the Hearing, the Committee Chair will provide verbal direction at the beginning of the hearing as to the process and how to participate should you wish to comment. 
• Anyone wishing to will have an opportunity to speak.

Who makes the decisions on Committee of Adjustment Applications?  

• The Committee of Adjustment is made up of three members who are citizens at large and are not members of Council. 
• Committee members serve a term equal to the term of the current Council.  Members have the option to serve one additional term.

What decision could the Committee make at the Hearing?

• The Committee typically decides to approve or deny the application at the hearing. 
• The Committee does, however, have the option to defer the application to a future hearing date should they determine that additional information is required in order for them to make their decision.
• Their decision is then posted to the Committee’s webpage by the Friday following the Hearing. 
• A decision to approve the application can contain certain conditions which must be completed by the Applicant.

I have more questions, who can help?

Please contact the Secretary-Treasurer for further assistance:

Lorrie Jackson, Secretary-Treasurer, 705-325-1870, coa@orillia.ca. 

For any Decisions or Minutes more than six months old, please contact staff.

Decisions - Minor Variance

• A01-26 - 466 West Street North
• A02-26 - 51 James Street
• A03-26 - 353 Old Muskoka Road
• A04-26 - 86 Cedar Street
• A05-26 - 191 and 201 Mississaga Street West
• A06-26 - 75 Mississaga Street East
• A07-26 - 135 Shannon Street
• A08-26 - 365 Macisaac Drive

Decisions - Consent

• B01-26 - 51 James Street
• B02-26 - 353 Old Muskoka Road
• B03-26 - 21 Diana Drive - Consent (Lease)
• B04-26 - 16 First Street - Consent DEFERRED
• B05-26 - 39 Peter Street North and 31 Coldwater Street East

Minutes Approved

• February 2026 Hearing
• March 2026 Hearing
• April 2026 Hearing
• May 2026 Hearing