Welcome to Meaford’s Current Developments page, your central source for information on development projects shaping our community.
Whether you’re a resident, business owner, developer, or simply interested in how Meaford is growing, this page is designed to keep you informed and engaged. Here, you can explore active development proposals, learn about where they are in the approval process, and find opportunities to provide input.
Meaford is evolving, and thoughtful planning helps ensure that growth supports our community’s character, environment, and long-term vision. This page reflects our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and good planning.
What You’ll Find Here
This page provides up-to-date information on:
Major development applications and planning proposals
Project status updates and key milestones
Public meeting dates and participation opportunities
Our goal is to present information in a clear and accessible way, so you can quickly understand what is being proposed and where.
Stay Informed and Get Involved
Community input is an important part of the planning process. Each project listing also includes details on how you can:
Great building projects begin with great plans. Whether you are curious about ongoing or planned developments in the Municipality or are ready to embark on a project of your own, here is an overview of our planning services, along with information on severances, easements, and more.
Services offered:
Reviewing and processing of Land Use Planning Applications.
Development and management of Land Use Policies, Zoning By-laws and Cultural Heritage matters.
Monitoring of changing federal and provincial legislation, growth patterns and priorities.
Providing Council with professional planning advice and recommendations to help them make informed decisions about land use and development in the Municipality.
Often the first step before building is checking planning. This is where we have a pre-consultation to check zoning, ensuring your property is suitable to complete your desired project. Once you have completed this, visit the building page.
Planning Application
Once the completed form and fees are received, a member of staff will contact you to schedule a meeting. The meeting will give staff a chance to better understand your project, and provide you with feedback. As the planning process is complex, a pre-consultation meeting is recommended for all applications (other than consent and minor variance which is fairly straightforward).
If you are thinking about severing a lot from your property or are looking for Minor Variance information, the Consent and Minor Variances page is the place to start! Here You will find detailed information about the process, along with application forms and meeting dates.
Other Planning Applications are more complex. Please confirm the scale (minor, major) and fees required prior to submitting. The Municipality collects fees for the County of Grey planning and ecology review, and for the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority review.
The Municipality of Meaford Engineering Standards are intended as a guideline to provide an engineering basis for subdivision design within the urban and rural sections of the Municipality, site plan design and infill lot design, to establish a uniform criteria of minimum standards, and to improve the processing of engineering design submissions of development related works. Changes to these standards which improve or maintain the quality of the design will be considered for acceptance, subject to the approval of the Municipality.
It is understood that these standards will be referred to as a schedule in a development agreement and that the current revision of the standards are then considered to be part of the agreement.
The Municipality collects fees for the County of Grey planning and ecology review, and for the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority review.
Citizen’s Guide to Land Use Planning
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has a guide to help residents learn the rules and processes municipalities follow for community growth and development in Ontario.
Septic records are considered confidential and can only be released to the property owner. If the owner wishes, they may choose to share this information with others. There is a $51.50 fee for this search, this may be paid by the owner, realtor, or potential buyer using cash, cheque, or debit.If you have any questions, please contact Building Services at building@meaford.ca.
Most planning-related information is available on the Municipality of Meaford’s website. To access zoning information,
Navigate to Business and Development, Planning and Development, and then Zoning. On this page, you will find both the interactive map and an updated PDF of Zoning By-law text
Use the Online Mapping tool to locate your lot by entering the address or roll number in the search bar(The legend on the left allows you to view the zones).
Refer to the Zoning By-law Text to find the tables on Permitted Uses and Zone Standards for those zones.
You may view approximate lot dimensions using the Grey County Public GIS Map; however, this mapping is not considered fully accurate for legal or detailed design purposes. For precise information, you must obtain an official survey. You can request your property survey documents through the Ontario Land Registry Office at onland.ca, or you may hire a licensed Ontario land surveyor to prepare a new survey. OnLand is your online source for property-related information and documents from the Ontario Land Registration System. You can hire private surveyors to do a complete and precise survey for you. There is a list of licensed surveyors available on the aols website.
You can call Planning Services at 519-538-10160 ext. 1127 or send an email to planning@meaford.ca to ask general questions about interpreting your zoning, checking feasibility of severance and other related matters. Before submitting major planning applications, staff also recommend scheduling a formal pre-consultation meeting. To do this, please complete the Meaford Pre-consultation and Guide form, and include the applicable fee, a sketch, and any studies completed to date. Once received, staff will circulate your proposal to internal departments and external agencies for comments.
While the Municipality does not control construction schedules and cannot confirm completion timelines, we maintain the Current Developments page on our website, which provides an overview of major development projects in Meaford. Each project page includes the current status, anticipated next steps, and an option to subscribe for updates as new information becomes available.
For detailed inquiries about construction timing, occupancy, or sales-related matters, please contact the developer or builder directly, as project timelines can change based on factors outside the Municipality’s approval process.
To determine whether your property may be eligible for a severance, start by reviewing the Meaford Official Plan Map to confirm your land use designation. Then consult the Official Plan text for the applicable designation and development policies, particularly the section titled “Creation of New Lots.” This section outlines requirements such as minimum lot size, frontage, and the Rural Density Policy, which may limit the number of new lots permitted.
After reviewing the Official Plan, refer to the Zoning By-law to confirm the Permitted Uses and the Zone Standards (such as minimum lot area, frontage, and setbacks) for the zoning that applies to your property.
The Municipality of Meaford is in the process of considering and adopting a short-term accommodations licensing by-law. This by-law will dictate the terms and conditions that short-term accommodation (such asAirbnb’s, cottage rentals, VRBO’s, etc.) must follow to operate within the Municipality. Please check the list of Q&A on the STA page here. Should you have any questions about this process, or wish to learn more, please contact sta@meaford.ca.
To request a Consent Certificate, all conditions outlined in the Notice of Decision must be fully satisfied. Once the conditions are cleared, a fee of $930 is required for deed stamping. After completing these steps, please emailplanning@meaford.ca to initiate the certificate process.
Please note that your lawyer should email the appropriate Form (as required under O. Reg. 197/96 of the Planning Act) directly to the Planning Department. The Secretary-Treasurer will review the submission, assign the official date, and sign the certificate.
Based on section 4.24.1a) of the Zoning By-Law, it depends on your zone. If you are in permitted zones on this section and you have applied for a building permit that is already issued, you can have a trailer for a maximum of 2 years.
We do not have access to property title records, so unfortunately, the Planning Department is not able to see or confirm easements directly. This information might be available through the Land Registry system or via a real estate lawyer conducting a title search.
Easements are typically available through the Ontario Land Registry and can be accessed online via OnLand.ca. Easements are listed on the Parcel Register (PIN Abstract) and may include items such as: Hydro One utility easements, Bell Canada/telecommunication line easements, Right-of-way easements benefiting neighboring properties, Shoreline-related maintenance, or protection easements.
We’re planning for what’s next, and making upgrades along the way. As part of our dedication to keeping our community safe, connected and thriving, the Municipality of Meaford invests in critical infrastructure each year.
From bridges and roads to parks and public facilities, our goal is to maintain, improve, and future-proof the assets we rely on every day.
Typical capital projects may include:
New construction
Major renovations or expansions
Rehabilitation of infrastructure
Replacement of existing municipal assets
Explore our active projects to see what’s underway in your neighbourhood.
The Site Plan and Development Review process has been established by the Municipality to ensure development applications are comprehensively reviewed by Planning Services.
Site Plan or Development Review may be undertaken for:
Plans of Subdivision and Condominium* (*Please note that the County of Grey is the approval authority for Plans of Subdivision and Condominium)
Commercial and Industrial Development / Redevelopment applications
Other types of development specified by the Site Plan Control By-Law
Before you apply for site plan approval, you will need to book a consultation with our staff who will discuss your plans with you and provide guidance on the process.
Applications and Information
The Development Review Brochure linked below outlines the generalized process of Site Plan and Development Review and includes a brief preconsultation checklist for your reference.
Building projects are subject to mandatory inspections at specific stages of construction or demolition to confirm that building standards are met.
Inspection Scheduling
To arrange an inspection, please contact Building Services Inspections Staff. You can also book an inspection by logging into your Cloudpermit account and entering the associated building permit number.
Please provide the following information when booking:
building permit number;
project site location;
required inspection; and
contact information (including the name of the person who will be on site, and their telephone number).
A minimum of two business days’ notice in advance of the applicable stage of construction is required.
Inspections take place:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday on the Eastern side of the Municipality (former Town of Meaford and St. Vincent Township)
Tuesday and Thursday on the Western side (former Sydenham Township)
Specific inspection times cannot be guaranteed due to scheduling variables.
Re-inspection fee of $188.00 applies and must be pre-paid.
Required Inspections
Inspections that may be required. This does not include all inspections that may be required depending on the project:
Electrical inspections handled separately by ESA (1-877-421-2228)
Readiness to Construct Footings.
Substantial completion of all footing forms prior to pouring concrete. Geotechnical review may be required to confirm soil suitability.
Substantial completion of foundation wall including all external elements and perimeter drainage system. (Prior to commencement of backfill)
Installation of all plumbing that will be covered by a concrete floor. A test for this portion of the plumbing system is required in accordance with the OBC and must be witnessed by an inspector.
Installation of all plumbing including drains, waste, vents and water supply lines. A test for this portion is required including a 100 psi test on all water supply lines without a drop in pressure for at least 2 hours.
Installation of all CSA approved plumbing fixtures, appliances and hot water tank (water meter must be installed). A test for this portion of the plumbing system may be required.
Substantial completion of rough-in of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning systems. Including installation of all mechanical supply air and return air duct work. Seal all joints in ducts. Installation of hot water heating piping (including in-floor)A test for this system is required.
Substantial completion of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning systems. Including installation of furnace, air conditioner (if included in the permit) and grills/registers. An Air Balance Report may be required.
Substantial completion of all structural framing and stairs. (Rough Plumbing and Heating passed and doors, windows & roofing installed.) Engineered drawings must be provided for roof trusses.
Substantial completion of air barrier systems, including installation of a continuous air barrier. There are several options for providing an effective Air Barrier. Confirmation may require an inspection during several inspection stages.
Substantial completion of all required fire separations and closures and all fire protection systems including standpipe, sprinkler, fire alarm and emergency lighting systems. Data sheets for the fire stopping components must be provided.
Substantial completion of insulation and vapour barriers. Blown-in insulation can be installed after the ceiling drywall is applied and confirmed at the Occupancy inspection.
Completion of construction and installation of components required to permit the issue of an occupancy permit under Sentence 1.3.3.1.(3) or to permit occupancy under Sentence 1.3.3.2.(1), if the building or part of the building to be occupied is not fully completed. There must be no outstanding Building Code Orders. It is mandatory to obtain an Occupancy Certificate prior to occupancy of the building.
Completion of all required items under the permit including the site grading and the engineers final grading certificate.
Important: Entrance permits and civic addresses must be approved before submitting a building permit application.
Entrance Permit
An entrance permit is required for any new or modified driveway on municipal roads. For entrances on County roads, contact Grey County directly. For entrances on Provincial Highways, contact the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario.
Please note: A property must have a valid, approved entrance providing legal access to the road before a building permit can be issued. If a new entrance is proposed or an existing entrance is being modified, the required entrance permit must be obtained and approved before the building permit review process.
Deposit Fee: $1000.00 (refundable upon final inspection)
Revision/Extensions Fee: $61.20 (non-refundable)
Civic Address
A property must have a valid municipal address before a building permit can be issued. Addressing can be completed as part of the building permit application process, or by submitting a separate addressing application here. All civic address signs must be installed before the permit is completed.
Urban Civic Addresses
For urban civic addresses, it is the responsibility of the property owner to provide and install their civic address number. The address should be visible from the road.
Rural Civic Addresses
For rural civic addresses, the municipality will supply and install the civic address sign, though this does not apply to properties located on private roads.
Payment can be made at the Municipal Office.
Urban Civic Addressing Fee: $32.00
Rural Civic Addressing Fee: $160.00
Replacement Sign Fee: $97.00 (does not include install)
FAQ
An entrance permit authorizes the construction, relocation, modification, or widening of a driveway connecting a property to a municipal road.
An entrance permit is typically required when:
Creating a new driveway.
Relocating an existing driveway.
Widening or significantly altering an existing driveway.
Paving a gravel entrance.
For addressing, typical turnaround time from when payment is processed and the completed application is submitted is two weeks. This is may take longer in summer months when application numbers increase.
Length of entance permit – An entrance permit is valid for one year from the initial inspection.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to request a final inspection after the entrance is constructed. The inspection is then scheduled in, and review of the entrance takes place. If all requirements of the permit have been met we complete the paperwork for finance to issue the refund. Inspections and refunds are delayed in the winter months.
Whether you’re constructing from scratch, renovating, or making repairs, obtaining a building permit is the law, and is required to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code, zoning, and other regulations. Building permits confirm that your proposed project will meet the minimum life and fire safety standards set out in the Code.
Building Permits are Required for:
New Structures & Additions: Any new building over 10 m², including carports, garages, decks, porches, rooms, extra stories, barns, or temporary tents.
Structural Changes: Balconies, dormers, porch enclosures, window enlargements, solar panels, wind turbines, or excavation for a new basement.
Plumbing & Utilities: Any structure with plumbing (even under 10 m²), new or replacement plumbing, or chimneys.
Minor Repairs & Replacements: Replacing doors, windows (within the same opening, with no structural changes), shingles, or plumbing fixtures in the same location.
Interior Finishes: Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar non-structural work.
Small Structures: Storage sheds under 10 m², single-storey spaces, and structures that are not attached to others.
During your project’s initial planning stages, you must first determine the zoning by-law rules that apply to your property. These regulate the use, size, location and structure types that are permitted on all properties in the Municipality. After reviewing this, contact our Planning Department at planning@meaford.ca to discuss your plans, and to determine if Site Plan Approval is applicable.
Before your shovel hits the ground, always confer with Ontario One Call, to locate any underground cables or lines below the surface.
Application Process
To support the planning and building process, the Municipality uses Cloudpermit, through which you are able to:
Check the status of your application
Involve all parties involved in your project (contractors, consultants, trades, designers)
Upload attachments
Download your building permit
Book inspections
Staff will review the application by Building Department staff that will assess the application for compliance with the Ontario Building Code, Zoning By-laws and “Applicable Laws” that apply to that specific lot.
Once a full review of the application has been completed and the necessary approvals obtained, the Building Permit will be issued and can be printed through Cloudpermit. It must be posted in plain view on the construction site. You must keep the approved set (Site Copy) on site at all times.
Please read the permit documents thoroughly before starting construction. The construction must comply with the plans and documents issued with your permit.
Any changes to the approved construction drawings must be reported to and approved by the Chief Building Official. Contact us immediately if there are any changes to the construction plans. Depending on the scope of the change, a permit revision may be required.
Once a building permit has been issued, it is your responsibility to ensure:
There are an approved set of legible construction drawings on site
All setbacks, as approved for construction, are adhered to
All Engineering work, such as footings, wall, floor and ceiling systems, engineered beams and lintels are submitted to the Building Department prior to the required inspection
Inspections are scheduled and performed
Deficiencies are corrected if required
Re-Inspections are scheduled and performed if required
Ontario Building Code & all Applicable Laws are being respected
Residential refers to the construction, alteration, addition to, or repair of a building used or that will be used for private human occupancy. This excludes hotels, motels, and buildings for other transient uses. Examples include:
single-family dwellings
mobile homes
double duplex dwellings
recreational dwelling (cottages)
Demolition refers to the demolition of a portion of or an entire building.
On-site Sewage Systems refers to the installation of a new septic system, repairs made to an existing system and the installation or repair of storm sewers, sanitary sewers and water services.
Accessory structure refers to the construction, alteration, addition to, or repair of an accessory to a principal building, such as a deck, gazebo, or shed.
Agricultural building refers to the construction, alteration, addition to, or repair of a building that is used/will be used for the acquisition of stocks, preparation, planting, care and harvesting of crops or livestock, such as a barn, greenhouse or manure storage.
Plumbing works refers to activities such as installing new plumbing fixtures or relocating existing plumbing fixtures.
Pools refers to the construction of an above-ground or in-ground pool.
Change of use refers to modifying the way a building or a portion of a building is used, even if no construction is planned.
Commercial building refers to the construction, alteration, addition to, or repair of a building that is used for commercial purposes. Examples include bakeries, business offices, funeral homes, and hotels.
Institutional building refers to the construction, alteration, addition to, or repair of a building that serves a public purpose, such as a hospital, library, or school.
Miscellaneous refers to the construction of a building used for purposes that do not fall within any other category, such as communication towers, parking areas, solar panels, and tents.
A ground sign or pole sign refers to:
Signs exceeding 7.5 m (24.6 ft) in height above grade
Projecting signs weighing more than 22 kg (48.5 lb)
Fascia signs exceeding 10 sq.m (108 sq.ft) in sign area
Animated signs
Signs greater than 10 sq.m (108 sq.ft) in sign area
Awnings or canopies
Temporary structures refers to those set up for a short duration, such as tents or temporary sales pavilions.
Your Plans Will Be Reviewed By
A third-party engineering firm — for lot grading and drainage
Municipal staff —for building code compliance (note that municipal staff cannot act as consultants or advise you on project design).
Municipal staff will review plans/drawings, including but not limited to the following:
Site Plan
Floor Plans
Elevations
Cross Sections
Wall Details
Structural/Framing Details
Roof Plans
Masonry Fireplaces
Stair Details
Guard Details
Barrier Free Features
Plumbing System Details
Specifications
Window & Door Schedules
On-Site Sewage Systems
All documents must meet code requirements before your project can begin.
Sample Plans
Below are sample plans to help you visualize this process. Tacboc standard detailed drawings are provided for informational purposes only, they do not necessarily represent every detail of building construction or all minimum standards which apply. For more detailed information about construction regulations, refer to the Ontario Building Code or a qualified designer.
Lot grading, which involves ensuring a level base or securing a specific slope on the land, is important for protecting the foundations of homes and buildings from basement flooding and other water damage. Explore the requirements for grading and drainage plans, along with the relevant by-laws.
Please note: Applications are not deemed complete until approval through third party review.
Important: Lot grading cannot be completed in the winter.
When a Grading & Drainage Plan is Required
The CBO may at anytime request a Grading & Drainage Plan to be submitted to the Building Services Department
When the applicant wants to place or dump fill or alter the existing grade in the following zones:
Residential identified in Section 6.1 of the Zoning By-Law
Commercial or Industrial zone identified in Section 7.1 of the Zoning By-Law
Development, Environmental Protection, Environmental Protection-Wetland, Harbour, Institutional and Open Space
New construction or addition of 60 metres square or more in a Residential zone identified in Section 6.1 of the Zoning By-Law
Third Party Review
Your Grading and Drainage Plan will be reviewed by our third-party engineer to determine whether the proposed plan will negatively affect the neighbouring properties or municipal boulevard. Our third-party engineer will communicate with the applicant’s engineer until a desired grading and drainage plan is agreed upon through the use of a checklist.
A copy of the final grading and drainage plans, including a professional engineer’s seal and signature, must be submitted to the Building Services Department prior to a final inspection.
Subdivisions
P.ENG design submitted as per subdivision agreement.
A holding symbol is a zoning tool, authorize through section 36 of the Planning Act. A holding symbol is used to put limits on development of land, until certain conditions are met.
A holding symbol might look like -h or -H, with or without a number attached (for example -h4). If you have one of these symbols on all or part of your property, it may limit buildings, structures or uses in the area the symbol applies. Holding symbols are applied for a number of reasons. Below are just a few examples:
the property is near or contains significant natural features – such as watercourses, wetlands and streams
the property was previously subject to a planning approval, but construction cannot begin until entering into a development with the municipality.
the property is not on a public road and an agreement with the municipality is required before building or adding onto the existing house
the property is adjacent to a landfill site (either open or closed) and further study is required before building a house or redeveloping the site
the property is adjacent to a sewage treatment plant and further study is required before building a house or redeveloping the site.
Meaford Zoning By-law 60-2009 includes general holding symbol (for example -h or -H) as well as specific symbols such as H1 through H7. You can find out more about each Holding Symbol in the Meaford Zoning By-law 60-2009.
Do I Have to Remove the Holding Symbol on my property?
You only need to remove the Holding Symbol if you are trying to develop your property in the area where the Holding Symbol applies. For example, if you have only a small area of “-H4” you would only need to remove the symbol if you are planning to build in that area of your property. If the entire property has a holding symbol, you may need to remove it if you are building a new house or adding on to you existing house. Meaford Zoning By-law provided the regulations for what is required with each type of holding symbol.
You may have been told by Building Services you have a holding symbol that needs to be removed before getting a building permit. Review the information in the next section about how to remove the holding symbol. If you have any questions about the process, please reach out to Planning Services for more information.
Before applying to remove a Holding Symbol, confirm the zoning on your property so you know which symbol applies to you. You can access our Online GIS Portal (Zoning Mapping Tool).
Once you have confirmed zoning, contact Planning Services to discuss the process in more detail. Planning staff will assist you with the correct form and what information is required to apply to remove the Holding Symbol.
You will then fill out the appropriate application form and pay the application fees:
If you have questions about the applying for Holding Symbol removal, please contact Planning staff.
More Information about the H1 Holding Symbol
The H1 Holding Symbol applies to lots on private or public streets which have not been assumed by by-law for year round maintenance purposes by the Municipality. The H1 may be lifted by Council once an appropriate agreement has been entered into to satisfy the considerations outlined in policy D2.5.2 of the Municipality of Meaford’s Official Plan.
In Meaford, most properties with H1 symbols are in the shoreline area, and many have already been removed.
The H1 is removed via the following process:
Complete and submit the H1 application form
Staff circulates a Notice of Intention to Remove a Holding Symbol, as required by the Planning Act (20 days’ notice)
Staff will work with the Municipal Lawyer to prepare the necessary agreement
The owners sign the agreement and return to Planning Services
The site plan agreement is signed by the Mayor and Clerk
The Municipal Lawyer registers this agreement on title
Staff prepares the H1 removal by-law for Council authorization
The H1 By-law is passed and the Zoning on the property is updated
This process does take time as shown above. Staff work within the required framework of the Planning Act. You should be prepared for at least 6 weeks to process an H1 Removal Application and pass the necessary by-law.
The Zoning By-Law implements a community’s Official Plan. As a by-law, it is a legal tool to control how land may be used, the types and sizes of buildings allowed, and where they can be located on a lot. Other regulations include accessory uses, parking, driveways, and in some cases the Zoning By-law lists prohibited uses.
The Zoning By-law establishes a number of different categories or ‘Zones’, and specifies the types of uses and structures that are permitted in each zone.
For more information about how Zoning By-laws are use and how they affect property, see the Ontario Citizen’s Guide for Zoning By-laws:
Start by finding the zoning category of the property you are interested in using one of the two mapping options. Then look up the Zone Category in the Zoning By-law. You should also check the General Provisions and Definitions sections for more information about permitted uses and what the different uses mean.
In some cases, a property owner may wish to apply for a Zoning By-law Amendment if the owner’s plans do not align with the current zoning category or provisions.
Note that an amendment to the Zoning By-Law must conform with both the County of Grey Official Plan and the Meaford Official Plan. Please consult with the Land Use Designation of your property in both the Official Plans before considering a Zoning By-law Amendment.
Before you apply for a zoning amendment, you have the option to book a Pre-Application Consultation with our staff who will discuss your plans with you and provide guidance on the process. We can be reached at planning@meaford.ca or 519-538-1060 extension 1127.
If you own property that is not on an opened and maintained municipal or provincial road, you may have a Holding (H1) symbol on your property that must be removed prior to certain types of development.
The H1 symbol prohibits the development of a dwelling and any enlargement, renovation or addition to a dwelling unit that existed on the date the implementing Zoning By-law is passed by Council, until the owner enters into a Site Plan Control Agreement with the Municipality of Meaford. If the H1 applies to you and you wish to apply to remove it, use the H1 Removal Application.
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