Decisions around the permitted uses of land and how a property is configured are not made lightly. For this reason, property owners and developers who want to make such changes must apply for a zoning bylaw amendment.
On this page:
Application types
There are three types of zoning bylaw amendments:
- minor zoning bylaw amendment is required when either:
- a change is proposed to the zoning regulations (except for building height and Floor Space Ratio)
- a single new use is proposed
- major zoning bylaw amendment is required when the proposed amendment is not considered a minor zoning bylaw amendment
- zoning bylaw amendment for the removal of a holding provision
Consultation
If you want to file an application for a minor or major zoning bylaw amendment, you should request a pre-submission consultation before you apply.
You do not need a pre-submission consultation for the removal of a holding provision.
Filing an application
Fill out the application form that corresponds to your application type and send it to our planning staff by email along with a scanned copy of the cheque for payment. If your application is over 10 MB, send us an email to request access to our ShareFile account to upload your application. Then, email us to let us know that you've uploaded the application.
As soon as possible after sending us your application virtually, please send the original, signed application form and cheque (payable to the City of Kitchener) to:
Attn: Director Development & Housing Approvals
200 King Street West
Kitchener, ON
N2G 4V6
Application forms
Download the relevant application form:
After you apply
After you apply for a minor or major zoning bylaw amendment:
- this is a public process that involves circulating the application to members of the community, internal staff and external agencies, who will all be able to review and comment on the application
- staff will write a staff report and make a recommendation to the planning and strategic initiatives committee
- city council will make the final decision on these applications
- the target timeframe to process a minor or major zoning bylaw amendment is within 90 days (or 120 days when combined with an Official Plan amendment)
After you request a zoning bylaw amendment to remove a holding provision:
- this process involves providing public notice of our intension to pass a bylaw to remove a holding provision
- staff will write a report and make a recommendation to our director of planning, who has been delegated authority by council to make a decision on these applications