Planning Services

To start a new application:

• Login to Cloudpermit.
• Click Create a New Application in your dashboard.
• Give a name for your application that includes the property address and type of application, for example "123 Walnut Street Minor Variance," and click Next.
• Select Province and Municipality from the drop-down menus in Location for the application section.
• Enter the property's address or a roll number to find your property. You can also click and drag with a mouse on the interactive map with GIS to search for the property on the map.
• Select Planning approval for the application type.
• Select Category, Scope, and Proposed Use. Some applications may not include the selection of scope and proposed use. Then click Next.
• In the Summary, select if you are the applicant or agent, then click Finish & Create.
• Follow the pre-consultation meeting instructions.

Resources:

• How to Create your Planning Approval Application
• How to Complete the Required Application Data

The Agent Authorization Form, if applicable, is to be filled out and signed by the registered owner(s) of the subject lands. This document must be downloaded, printed, signed, and uploaded onto Cloudpermit.

The Statutory Declaration Form must be filled out and signed either by the authorized agent, if applicable, or the registered owner(s) of the subject lands under the witness of a Commissioner of Oaths. This document must be downloaded, printed, signed, and uploaded onto Cloudpermit. If you require a qualified individual to witness the signature(s), please contact the Township Office to schedule an appointment.

The Township of Lucan Biddulph accepts various forms of payment as follows:

1. PAYMENT IN PERSON:  Applicants can attend in person at 270 Main Street, Lucan, ON and pay by either cash, cheque or interact.  Note payment can also be submitted in the drop-box located next to the staff entrance door.  Please reference the Planning Application Number when placing payment in the drop box.
2. ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER:  Applicants can submit payment via e-transfer to @email  Please reference the Planning Application Number in the message line when choosing this method.
3. ONLINE VIA CREDIT CARD:  Lucan Biddulph now accepts online payments via credit card. To pay by credit card:
   1. Visit the secure Paymentus website to make your payment by credit card
   2. Please enter the invoice number under the account number field

Disclaimer: The Lucan Biddulph payment system is built and managed by a 3^rd party payment vendor, Paymentus.  A 2.5% convenience fee charged by Paymentus is added to each online transaction.  Lucan Biddulph receives no additional revenue from the convenience fee.

Planning application fees can be found on the Fees By-Law

Please note that payment will not be processed until the application has been deemed complete by the municipality.

For any additional assistance and troubleshooting on Cloudpermit, visit the applicant user guide page.

If you still require assistance, log into your Cloudpermit account, click “Support” found at the top right of the page, and submit a ticket.

• Download our Application Minor Variance
• Download our PDF Guide

What is a Minor Variance?

Each property within Lucan Biddulph belongs to a zone (such as residential, commercial, or industrial) that determines what uses and buildings are permitted. Lucan Biddulph’s Zoning By-law contains regulations and standards for each zone (for example, the maximum building height). If a proposed use or structure meets the general intent and purpose of the Zoning By-law but there are some proposed deviations from the regulations and standards (for example, an increased building height), a Minor Variance would be necessary. Applications are reviewed against and must meet all of the following tests: (1) is the variance minor,(2) is it desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land, building or structure, (3) does it meet the general intent and purpose of the Zoning By-law, and (4) does it maintain the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan.

What is the Minor Variance Process?

1. Schedule a pre-consultation discussion with the Planner.
2. Submit a complete application, any required documents and the applicable fees to the Municipality.
3. A Notice of Public Hearing is posted on the subject lands and circulated to the applicants, any landowners within 60 metres, and any relevant agencies at least 10 days before the meeting. Staff collect public and agency comments and prepare a planning report that includes a planning recommendation.
4. A Committee of Adjustment public hearing is held where an application will be either approved (with or without conditions), denied, or deferred.
5. A Notice of Decision is mailed out to the applicants, agencies, and by request within 10 days of the Hearing.
6. A 20-day appeal period begins on the date of the Notice of Decision. Any appeals will be heard by the Ontario Land Tribunal for a final decision.
7. Once the application has been approved and is final an application for a building permit can be submitted. 
    

• Download our Application Consent
• Download our Guide

What is a Consent?

Permission or consent is generally required to divide land into smaller parcels. Typical types of consents include the creation of a new lot, adding land to a neighbouring lot, creating a right-of-way, and entering into a lease over a part of a property for more than 21 years. Applications are reviewed to determine if they are consistent with Provincial policy, if they conform to Official Plan policies, if they comply with the requirements within the Zoning By-law, and if the proposed use or development is suitable for the site and compatible with adjacent land uses. Additional considerations include the availability of municipal servicing, availability of adequate vehicular access, grading and drainage, and potential environmental impacts.

What is the Consent Process?

• Schedule a pre-consultation discussion with the Planner.
• Submit a complete application, any required documents including a sketch, and applicable fees to the Township.
• A Notice of a Public Meeting is posted on the subject lands and circulated to the applicants, landowners within 60 metres, and any relevant agencies at least 14 days before the meeting.
• Staff collect public comments and prepare a planning report that includes a recommendation.
• A decision is made during a Committee of Adjustment hearing where an application will be either approved (with or without conditions), denied, or deferred.
• A Notice of Decision is mailed out to the applicants, agencies, and by request within 15 days of the Hearing.
• The 20-day appeal period begins on the date of the Notice of Decision. Any appeals will be heard by the Ontario Land Tribunal for a final decision.
• Fulfill the conditions of approval within two years and submit relevant documentation to the Township for certification.
   

• Download our Application Zoning By-law Amendment
• Download our Guide

What is a Zoning By-law Amendment?
 
Each property within Lucan Biddulph belongs to a zone (such as residential, commercial, or industrial) that determines what uses and buildings are permitted. Lucan Biddulph’s Zoning By-law contains the regulations and standards for each zone (for example, permitting a residential use). If a proposed use or structure does not conform to the requirements outlined in the Zoning By-law (for example, a different proposed use), a Zoning By-law Amendment would be necessary. Applications are reviewed to determine if they are consistent with Provincial policies, if they conform to Middlesex County’s Official Plan and Lucan Biddulph’s Official Plan, and if the proposal is suitable for the site and compatible with adjacent land uses. The review may also consider other elements including services, access, and environmental matters. The approval of a Zoning By-law Amendment does not exempt an application from securing any other required permits or approvals.

What is the Zoning By-law Amendment Process?

1. Schedule a pre-consultation meeting with the Planner.
2. Submit a complete application, any required documents, and the applicable fee to the Municipality.
3. A Notice of a Public Meeting is posted on the subject lands and circulated to the applicants, landowners within 120 meters, and any relevant agencies at least 20 days before the meeting.
4. Staff collect public and agency comments and prepare a planning report that includes a planning recommendation.
5. A public meeting of Council is held where an application will be either approved, denied, or deferred.
6. A Notice of Passing is mailed out to the applicants, agencies, and by request within 15 days of the Meeting.
7. A 20-day appeal period begins on the date of the Notice of Passing. Any appeals will be heard by the Ontario Land Tribunal for a final decision.
8. Once the application has been approved and is final an application for a building permit or site plan can be submitted.
    

• Download our Application Official Plan Amendment
• Download our Guide

What is an Official Plan Amendment?

An Official Plan is a comprehensive policy document that establishes the long term vision for the Township. It contains policies that deal with issues of Provincial, County, and Township interests, and sets out the goals, objectives, and policies that are used to manage and direct physical change that are further implemented through the Township’s Zoning By-law and other planning approvals. If a proposed land use or development is not in conformity with the Official Plan, an amendment may be needed. Official Plan Amendments are evaluated against principles of good planning, Provincial policy, County policy, and the Township’s Official Plan. If Municipal Council supports the proposed amendment, it is then submitted to the County of Middlesex as the Approval Authority for review and a decision.

What is the Official Plan Amendment Process?

• Schedule a pre-consultation meeting with the Planner
• Submit a complete application, any required documents, and the applicable fee to the Township.
• A Notice of a Public Meeting is posted on the subject lands and circulated to the applicants, landowners within 120 metres, and any relevant agencies at least 20 days before the meeting.
• Staff collect public and agency comments and prepare a planning report that includes a planning recommendation.
• The application is considered during a public meeting of Council. The application will be either adopted (and forwarded to Middlesex County), denied, or deferred during this or a future meeting.
• If the application is locally adopted, Middlesex County will then undertake a review of the proposal. The application will be considered by County Council and either approved, approved with modifications, denied or deferred.
• A Notice of Decision is mailed out to the applicants, agencies, and by request from Middlesex County.
• A 20-day appeal period begins on the date of the Notice of Decision. Any appeals will be heard by the Ontario Land Tribunal for a final decision.
   

• Download our Application Site Plan Application
• Download our Guide

What is Site Plan Control? 

Site Plan Control is a technical development review process to ensure site development matters such as land use compatibility, access, landscaping, parking, barrier free accessibility, and site servicing are built and maintained. Site Plan Control is also used to ensure safe, appropriate, and functional development that is in line with Township standards. Site Plan Control is typically applied to industrial, commercial, and multi-unit residential development but does not address the interior of buildings.

Site Plans must be prepared by qualified professionals, and technical studies and reports may be required to support a proposal. The Site Plan Review process takes input from various departments and agencies into account during the preparation of a Site Plan Approval Agreement. A Site Plan Approval Agreement is a binding contract between the Township and the Owner, and is required to be registered on title of the property and is a prerequisite to the building permit application process.

What is the Site Plan Control Approval Process?

1.    Schedule a pre-consultation discussion with the Planner.

2.    Submit a complete application, any required documents, and the applicable fees to the Township.

3.    The application is circulated to Township departments, and any relevant agencies for review. 

4.    Staff evaluate the application against the Zoning By-law, Site Plan By-law, agency comments, and engineering standards and, if necessary, provide recommended changes to the applicant. Once the application meets the requirements, a site plan agreement is prepared. 

5.    The application and site plan agreement will then be considered by the Manager of Public Works, being the delegated approval authority where it will be either approved, denied, or deferred

6.    If approved, the applicant can now register the site plan against the title of the subject land.

7.    An applicant may appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal for a final decision.

8.    Once approved, signed, and registered, the applicant can now apply for a building permit.
 

• Download our Farm Surplus Dwelling Guide

What is a Surplus Farm Dwelling Severance?

When farming operations expand by acquiring additional farm parcels, there may be existing homes or dwellings on the newly acquired lands that are surplus to the farming operation. Through a process known as a Surplus Farm Dwelling Severance, these habitable dwellings (often called a residence surplus to a farming operation) may be severed from the farmland so that they can be separately sold as a residential lot.

In order for a dwelling to qualify as a dwelling surplus to a farming operation, criteria must be satisfied including, but not limited to:

1. the dwelling must have been in existence as of January 1st, 1999;
2. the dwelling must be surplus as a result of consolidation of farming operations;
3. the remaining farmland must be zoned to prohibit new dwellings;
4. any incompatible buildings, structures or barns must be removed;
5. the new lot is limited to a minimum size needed to accommodate the use and appropriate sewage and water services and to minimize the loss of agricultural land; and
6. specific criteria outlined in the Township’s Official Plan.

What is the Surplus Farm Dwelling Severance Process?

1. Schedule a pre-consultation discussion with the Planner.
2. Submit a complete application, any required documents including a sketch, and applicable fees to the Township.
3. A Notice of a Public Meeting is posted on the subject lands and circulated to the applicants, landowners within 60meters, and any relevant agencies at least 14 days before the meeting.
4. Staff collect public comments and prepare a planning report that includes a recommendation.
5. A decision is made during a Committee of Adjustment hearing where an application will be either approved (with or without conditions), denied, or deferred.
6. A Notice of Decision is mailed out to the applicants, agencies, and by request within 15 days of the Hearing.
7. The 20-day appeal period begins on the date of the Notice of Decision. Any appeals will be heard by the Ontario Land Tribunal for a final decision.
8. Fulfill the conditions of approval within two years and submit relevant documentation to the Township for certification.

• Download our Subdivision Guide

What is a Plan of Subdivision/Condominium?

A Plan of Subdivision/Plan of Condominium allows a piece of land to be divided into smaller lots or units in a comprehensive manner. In considering a proposed plan, applications are evaluated against criteria such as conformity with the Township’s Official Plan, Middlesex County’s Official Plan, the Zoning By-law, Provincial policies, the Planning Act, and engineering standards. Compatibility with adjacent properties and the suitability of the land for the proposed purpose are also taken into account, including the size and shape of the lots being created, adequacy of vehicular access, servicing, and environmental matters. The Subdivision/Condominium process is typically a technical process and applicants will require professional planning, engineering, legal, and surveying assistance. Subdivision/Condominium applications are usually processed concurrently with other planning applications (such as Zoning By-law amendments) so that councils and the public have a comprehensive understanding of the proposal.

What is the Plan of Subdivision Process?

1. Schedule a pre-consultation discussion with the Planner.
2. Submit a complete application, any required documents and applicable fees to the County, and to the Township if required.
3. A Notice of a Public Meeting is posted on the subject lands and circulated to the applicants, landowners within 120 meters, and relevant agencies at least 14 days before the meeting.
4. During a public meeting of Council, the application will be considered and public input will be gathered.
5. Staff evaluate the application and recommend changes. Once the application meets requirements, staff prepare a planning report with a recommendation.
6. During a meeting of Council the application will be considered and a recommendation will be made to either approve, deny, or defer.
7. During a meeting of County Council the application will then be further considered and a decision will be made to either approve with conditions, deny, or defer.
8. A Notice of Decision is mailed out by Middlesex County to the applicants, agencies, and by request within 15 days of the Decision.
9. A 20-day appeal period begins on the Notice of Decision date. Appeals are heard by the Ontario Land Tribunal for a final decision. If no appeals are received, the Draft Plan is approved. It is the applicant’s responsibly to fulfill the conditions of the Draft Plan Approval and submit evidence of this to the County.