Contact(s)
Have a Planning Question?
- "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ)
- Email us anytime at planning@orillia.ca
- Virtual appointment - Email planning@orillia.ca.
- Call us at 705-325-2622
- In person, 1st Floor City Centre - scheduled appointments are preferred
- Digital Submission Guidelines for Applications
*NEW* - We’ve Moved!
Effective immediately, the Planning Division has relocated to the 1st Floor of the Orillia City Centre across from the Council Chamber and adjacent to the Service Canada Offices. Thank you.
What is Site Plan Control?
Site Plan Control is a tool used to ensure that proposed development is properly planned and will comply with City policies, by-laws and engineering standards in order to have the necessary approvals in place prior to the start of construction.
The applicant is responsible for completing a series of drawings and, if required, studies to help City staff understand and visualize the proposal and to confirm all of the details related to the development.
Effective January 1, 2023, the City’s Preconsultation process changed to enable the City to grant conditional approval within 60 days of receipt of a complete Site Plan Approval application.
Preconsultation
Preconsultation is mandatory for all Site Plan Approval Planning Applications. The City has pivoted to a two-stage Preconsultation process which most Site Plan Approval applications will be required to complete Stage 2 Preconsultation. The City has developed a Guide to Preconsultation to assist applicants with the new process.
Streamlined Site Plan Process
Development Services staff have streamlined the Site Plan Application policy creating a more time and cost efficient process.
Revisions to procedures create more up-front communication with applicants, in addition to an easy to read Guide to Site Plan Control.
Applicants are encouraged to read the Guide to Site Plan Control and other supporting resources prior to submitting the mandatory Preconsultation application(s).
Shoreline Development
The City of Orillia has taken direction from the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan, the Official Plan and Site Plan Control By-law in requiring that some forms of development on lands adjacent to shorelines to plan more native self-sustaining vegetation near the shoreline. The Shoreline Development process is triggered by a Building Permit Application for a new dwelling or substantial renovations to an existing dwelling on a waterfront property.
The purpose of a Shoreline Development process is to help avoid, minimize and/or mitigate the impacts of storm water on the quality and quantity of water entering Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, and to prevent erosion while improving the quality of the shoreline. Learn more about the Importance of Shoreline Development on Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching.
Site Plan Information and Resources
Site Plan Drawing Requirements
Site Plan Stream Descriptions (Basic, Standard, Complex)
The City of Orillia attempts to make our website documents Accessible however, some of these documents, may not completely meet all AODA Accessibility requirements. If you require assistance or communication support, please contact 705-325-2622.
