Zoning

What is the purpose of the Zoning By-law?

• how land may be used,
• where buildings and other structures can be located,
• the types of buildings that are permitted and how they may be used,
• the lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights and setbacks from the street.

Zoning By-law Documents

A Zoning By-law is not a static document. It is amended over time as demands and policies governing land use change. Before proceeding any further, you should verify that your property is not the subject of an earlier Zoning By-law amendment. While the Municipality strives to keep this By-law up-to-date, more recent amendments may not be included in the version of the By-law you are using. Staff in the Municipality's Planning Department will be able to assist you to confirm if your property has been subject to a more recent By-law amendment.

To access the Zoning By-law, click on the button below. The schedules of the Zoning By-law, are area-specific or site-specific illustrations of zoning provisions.

Zoning By-law 20/2010 as amended by By-law 31/2023  

Zoning Compliance Letter Request

If you are purchasing or selling a property, you may need a zoning compliance letter or your lawyer may request it on your behalf. The fee for the letter is $125.

Here is the information we will include in the letter:

• Official Plan designation
• Current zoning and whether the proposed property use complies
• Pending zoning, if applicable
• Compliance with building setback regulations (only if updated building location survey is provided with the request)
• Status of any building and plumbing permits on file
• Whether there are any active zoning or property standard violations
• Whether the property has any heritage significance

Zoning Compliance Letter Request

Citizen's Guide to Land Use Planning

The Citizen's Guide to Land Use Planning was developed by the Government of Ontario to provide property owners with helpful information about the legislation surrounding land use planning.

Step 1: Pre-Consultation Meeting

The purpose of the pre-consultation meeting is to ensure that both the applicant and the Municipality have a clear understanding of the purpose of the proposed application, the type of application required and, where necessary, the appropriate studies, information and materials to support the proposed application.  Pre-consultation also provides Applicants an opportunity to gain an understanding of the planning process in the Municipality. 

Planning will schedule the meeting once the pre-consultation form has been completed. The fee for pre-consultation meetings can be found on the Fees and Charges page under 'Other Fees'.

Pre-Consultation Meeting Form

Step 2: Submit Application and Fee

The application will not be accepted until the fee has been paid. The fee for the application can be found on the Fees and Charges page under 'Zoning By-law Amendment Fees'. Fees are accepted via debit, cash or cheques made payable to the Municipality of Port Hope. At this time we do not have an online payment option.

Zoning By-law Amendment Application

Step 3: Application Review

Step 4: Complete Application Presented to Council

Step 5: Application Circulation

Step 6: Public Meeting

Planning submits a report to Council recommending a date to hold a public meeting. Once the public meeting date is confirmed, Planning will notify the agencies and residents of the meeting date, time and location.

Step 7: Application Revision

Step 8: Planning Recommendation to Council

Step 9: Council Decision and Appeal Period

Step 10: By-law Passed