Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Review

What is Zoning?

Zoning is a tool municipalities use to decide how individual parcels of land can be used in different areas of a community. It divides land into categories like residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural and sets out rules about what can be built, where, and how. These rules cover things like building size, lot dimensions, and where parking should go.

Zoning is important because it helps make sure different land uses are located in the right places, so we don’t have a factory built next to a family home or a shopping plaza built in the middle of a farm field. It protects important lands, like farmland and natural areas, while also making sure there’s enough space for things like housing, businesses, and parks. In a place like Perth County, where agriculture is a key part of the economy and rural character is important, zoning helps balance the need for growth with the need to protect what makes the community special. But zoning isn’t something you can set once and forget about.

Provincial policies change, communities grow, and zoning rules need to keep up so that they reflect how people live and work today, not just what was needed in the past. That’s why regularly reviewing Zoning By-laws is such an important part of good planning.

Why do the Zoning By-laws need to be reviewed?

The Zoning By-laws for North Perth, Perth East, Perth South, and West Perth need review as these documents haven’t kept pace with how each community has grown and changed. Perth County’s zoning rules are based on documents that are decades old, and the Zoning By-laws don’t fully reflect current needs, challenges, or opportunities. Since the County adopted a new Official Plan in 2024, the Zoning By-law has to be updated to match that plan to ensure consistency between the County and Local planning documents. Updating the local Zoning By-laws is a requirement under Section 26 (9) of the Planning Act, but the review is also a chance to make sure the zoning rules actually work for people in the community.

It’s an opportunity to support local priorities, like helping farmers run on-farm businesses, creating more housing choices beyond single-detached homes, and ensuring there’s enough land available for small businesses and light industry. It’s also a chance to simplify the by-law where it’s gotten too complicated through site-specific changes and make it clearer for property owners and developers. At the end of the day, this review is about making sure zoning helps Perth County grow in a way that makes sense and protecting what’s important, while also creating space for new opportunities.

Phase 1: Project Initiation and  Background Policy Review - Complete

Phase 1 of the Zoning By-law Review project began with the creation of a Steering Committee, made up of Council and Staff representatives, and the drafting of a project Terms of Reference to guide the key deliverables and engagement events of each stage of the project. Phase 1 also involved the completion of a Phase 1 Policy Background Report. This report provides a detailed technical review of the overarching guiding planning policies that direct how land shall be used within the Province to understand the key issues and opportunities to be addressed through each Zoning By-law. This report also presents an opportunity to understand how other local plans, strategies, and initiatives relate to land use and how the Zoning By-laws can further these initiatives. The Phase 1 Policy Background Report is available for review below. 

• Phase 1 Policy Background Report

 Phase 2: Research and Analysis

Phase 2 of the Comprehensive Review will utilize the findings of Phase 1 to draft a series of discussion papers that include trends and best practices of comparator municipalities that will be the basis for the recommended changes to the Zoning By-laws. The discussion papers will be published with opportunities for the public to review and comment.

 Phase 3: Draft Zoning By-laws

 Phase 4: Final Zoning By-laws

Phase 4 of the Comprehensive Review will utilize the feedback obtained at the second round of engagement to finalize the four (4) Zoning By-laws. Once final, the Zoning By-laws will be published online for final review and the project team will initiate the statutory requirements of the Planning Act relating to notices and public meetings.

 Phase 5: Zoning By-law Implementation and Appeals

What is a Zoning By-law, and why does it matter for me as a property owner?

A Zoning By-law is a set of rules guided by Provincial Planning and Building Policies that determines how you can use your land. Whether it’s for a house, a business, a farm, or another purpose. It also sets standards for things like lot size, building height, setbacks, and parking.

In Perth County, zoning helps ensure land uses are compatible—so that residential, agricultural, and commercial areas work together in a way that makes sense. It protects farmland, manages growth, and supports a mix of housing, jobs, and community spaces.

Why is the Zoning By-law being reviewed now?

The current Zoning By-laws from North Perth, Perth South, Perth East, and West Perth are based on documents that are over 20 years old. Since then, a lot has changed such as population growth, new types of businesses, housing needs, and updated provincial and County policies, including the new 2024 Official Plan. The Planning Act requires that the local Zoning By-laws be brought into compliance with and conform to the County Official Plan within three years of an Official Plan update, so this review is not only important—it’s necessary.

How does zoning affect what I can do with my property?

Zoning rules determine what you can build and how you can use your land. For example, if your property is zoned for agriculture, you’re generally allowed to use it for farming, but not for a industrial operation or a residential subdivision. If you’re in a residential area, zoning controls whether you can build a duplex, add a secondary unit, or run a home business. The review may update these rules to reflect current needs, so it’s important to stay informed.

Will this review change how I can use or develop my land?

It’s possible. The zoning review is about aligning the rules with Perth County’s updated Official Plan and modern planning practices. This might mean new opportunities for things like additional residential units, more flexibility for on-farm businesses, or new commercial areas in growing communities. However, the goal is to make sure changes reflect what’s best for the community, while protecting what makes Perth County unique.

How is the Zoning By-law connected to the Official Plan?

The Official Plan sets out the County’s big-picture vision where growth should happen, how to protect farmland and natural areas, and how to build strong, healthy communities. The Zoning By-law is the legal tool that puts that vision into action. It provides detailed rules for land use that must match the policies in the Official Plan. The 2024 Official Plan is the foundation for this Zoning By-law review.

What is the difference between a Zoning By-law and an Official Plan?

Think of the Official Plan as the County’s overall roadmap; it shows where we’re headed and sets the goals for growth, housing, economic development, and environmental protection. The Zoning By-law, on the other hand, is like the rulebook. It tells you what you can build on a specific property today and what activities are allowed. They work together, but the Zoning By-law is more detailed and enforceable.

Can zoning rules help make it easier to build more housing options, like townhomes or secondary units?

One of the goals of the Zoning By-law review is to explore ways to allow for a greater variety of housing types. For example, right now about 90% of homes in Perth East are single-detached, but there’s a need for more diverse options like duplexes, townhouses, and accessory units. Updating the zoning can help make it easier for people to create different kinds of housing that meet local needs.

Will the Zoning By-law review protect farmland and the rural character of our community?

Yes, protecting farmland and rural character is a top priority. The new Zoning By-law will continue to direct growth to appropriate areas—like urban centres and designated settlement areas—while protecting prime agricultural lands for farming. The review will also consider how to balance growth with the need to keep Perth County’s rural identity intact.

Will environmental features like wetlands or flood-prone areas be affected by the new Zoning By-law?

Environmental features will continue to be protected under the updated Zoning By-law. This includes areas like wetlands, floodplains, and woodlots. The review will ensure zoning regulations align with conservation authority policies and the latest mapping to protect these important areas.

How can I have a say in this process? Can I provide feedback?

Public input is a key part of the Zoning By-law review. There will be open houses, workshops, and opportunities to provide comments online or through written submissions. Watch for updates on the County’s website or local newspapers. Your input helps shape the future of Perth County.

What happens after the Zoning By-law review is finished?

Once the review is complete, a draft Zoning By-law will be presented to the public and Council for feedback. After public input is considered and final revisions are made, the new Zoning By-law will be adopted by Council. It will then become the legal document that guides land use across Perth County.

If my property’s zoning changes, what does that mean for me?

If your property’s zoning changes, it could affect what you’re allowed to do with the land going forward. For example, it might allow for new uses or building options or in some cases, it could introduce new restrictions. If your current use is permitted under the existing by-law, it will either be a permitted use under it’s new Zone or it will be considered “legal non-conforming,” which means you can continue to use your property for it’s current use even if the zoning changes. The County will provide information on how changes might impact property owners.

How long will the Zoning By-law review take?