Official Plan and Zoning

Official Plan

The Official Plan (OP) provides general guidance for growth and development in the Town until the year 2031. The OP implements provincial-level guidance, and is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement.

The OP provides direction for  land use, and municipal services and facilities. The policies in the OP are considered necessary to promote orderly growth and compatibility among land uses.  The current Official Plan was adopted by Council in 2009 following extensive public consultation.

The Official Plan

The OP also implements the policies in Niagara Region’s Official Plan. The OP provides more detail, specific to the Town’s characteristics, including land use designations and policies.

The OP is dynamic and can be amended as the Town's needs change. The most recent consolidation of the OP was in September 2023.

Changes to the OP are most commonly through the Official Plan Amendment (OPA) process made by private property owners. An OPA can be proposed to facilitate developments that do not conform to the OP.

Official Plan Review

Grimsby is currently reviewing the Town Official Plan. Please visit https://www.letstalkgrimsby.ca/officialplan to learn more and have your say!

Zoning By-law

Zoning By-law 14-45, as amended, controls the use of land throughout the Town.

The Official Plan sets out the Town's general policies for future land use. The Zoning By-law puts the Official Plan into effect and provides for its day-to-day administration. It contains specific requirements that are legally enforceable.

The Zoning By-Law

It states exactly:

• 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; and
• The lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights and setbacks from the street.

The Zoning By-law is dynamic and can be amended as the Town's needs change. Should a development be proposed, a Minor Variance or Zoning By-law Amendment may be required, depending on the scale of the development,  to ensure the future development is compliant with the By-law.

The most recent consolidation of Zoning By-law 14-45, as amended, was in September 2023.

Making a Planning Application

For more information on how to make a planning application (Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, Site Plan, Draft Plan of Subdivision/Condominium), including information on requesting a Pre-Consultation Meeting, please visit the Planning Applications page.

Information on minor variance and consent applications can be obtained by visiting the minor variance and lot creation pages.