FAQ

PERHAPS WE CAN ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS HERE . . .

In general, a building permit is required to construct, erect, install, extend, alter, repair, renovate or remove a building. A building is defined as a structure occupying an area greater than ten (10) square metres (107 square feet). If you are unsure if your project requires a permit, please do not hesitate to contact the Building Section of the Development Services Department. The Building Permit Application can be found here -

Building Permit Application and Checklist Information

Septic Permit Application & Chart/Calulations/Proposal Forms.

WHAT IS THE COST OF A BUILDING PERMIT?

Please see attached Schedule A  - Classes of Permits and Permit Fees.

WHAT ARE DEVELOPMENT CHARGES?

Development Charges are fees imposed on new development in a municipality to recover the capital cost of the additional necessary municipal infrastructure to continue to provide existing levels of municipal services. Development Charges are collected at the Building Permit stage by the Town of Bracebridge both for the Town of Bracebridge and the District of Muskoka.

WHAT IS THE COST OF DEVELOPMENT CHARGES?

Town of Bracebridge Development Charges Chart

District of Muskoka Development Charges

HOW DO I OBTAIN ZONING/SEPTIC/BUILDING INFORMATION FOR A PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF THE TOWN OF BRACEBRIDGE?

A written request for this information is submitted to the Development Services Department with the appropriate fee. See out list of fees in the "Applications" section of the Development Services Department on this web site.

WHAT IS A COMPLIANCE REPORT AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A COMPLIANCE REPORT?

A compliance report includes information related to the zoning, roads, septic and building information.

  If you own the property, the information can be provided to you.

  If you are gathering information for a piece of property you are interested in, a written request must be made with the applicable fee.

Are you buying or selling a piece of property, have you requested compliance report and/or a septic use permit?

The Town of Bracebridge Municipal Zoning By-laws are documents which enable the Town to monitor the use of land, building and structures. It also implements the policies of the Town's Official Plan. There are a variety of "zones" within the Zoning By-laws, which regulate the uses and sets out the required development standards such as frontage, area, height, etc.

A Zoning Amendment may be required when a property owner wishes to establish a use which is not already permitted, or make changes to one or more of the devleopment standards in the applicable Zone. Permission to rezone land must be obtained from the Town's Council through a public process.

We would suggest that if you have any questions related to your property, and are unsure if you would require a zoning amendment or are unsure of the permitted uses within the zone of your property, to contact our department and we would be happy to explain the zone, permitted uses and requirements to you.

The Zoning Amendment application and Cost Acknowledgment Agreement  can be found here or in the "Application" section of the Development Services Department on this web site.  Please also see our timelines  for submission.

The Planning Act requires that a land severance, or consent, be obtained whenever you wish to convey away part of your lands. In the Town of Bracebridge, you must obtain the consent from the Committee of Adjustment through a public process. If you have any questions with respect to severing your property, please visit our office for a full explanation of requirements.

Severance Guidelines & Severance Application  & Timelines

The Planning Act requires that a minor variance be obtained whenever you wish to construct, renovate, or alter a building or structure in any way that does not meet the requirements of the Town of Bracebridge's Zoning By-laws. In the Municipality of the Town of Bracebridge, you must receive approval for minor variances from the Town's Committee of Adjustment for Minor Variances through a public process.

Minor Variance Application, Procedures and Timelines

**Please note: This information that is provided is very general and is not intended to be a full explanation of the questions posed, but to provide a starting point for questions you may have related to your property. Please contact our office for a full explanation of any one of these questions which you require further information.**

All Planning Applications are subject to a Cost Recovery Agreement .