Severances
Landowners and/or their agents can apply for ‘Consent' from the Municipality to sever, or divide, land to create additional lots.
What is a Consent?
The Ontario Planning Act states consent must be granted before a parcel of land can be divided to create additional lots. This process is referred to as land severing and the type of consent given in this instance is a severance. Controlling the division of land through severances helps the municipality make sure that the creation of lots is consistent with the planning policies of the Municipality as set out in its Official Plan.
When do I need a Consent application?
Landowners need a consent application:
- To divide (sever) land for the purpose of sale (example: surplus farm dwelling)
- To register a mortgage or discharge a mortgage over part of a parcel of land
- To register a lease over part of a parcel of land when the term of the lease is 21 years or more (inclusive to renewal options)
- To register easements for rights-of-way
- To adjust boundaries of existing land parcels to enlarge or decrease the size of property (example: lot line adjustment)
Property owners who wish to divide their property for the purpose of selling it, registering or discharging a mortgage or leasing it for a period over 21 years, must apply for a severance. In municipal legislative terms, it means obtaining a "consent to sever" from the Consent Authority.
Approval Authority for Consent Applications
Following the revocation of the Committee of Adjustment planning responsibilities, County staff are now authorized to review and make decisions on the following standard consent applications:
- Consents for legal or technical reasons, such as easements, rights-of-way, correction of deeds, and minor adjustments to rectify encroachments;
- Lot line adjustments;
- Severances that can be accommodated within existing or planned servicing infrastructure and meet all applicable study requirements;
- Surplus farm dwelling severances;
- Severances involving two or more lots that have unintentionally merged in title; and
- Leasing of land or registering a mortgage in excess of 21 years.
The above-listed consent applications may be referred to Council for a decision upon written request from the applicant or a majority of Council. Any consent application not listed above will be considered a "detailed consent" and will be subject to Council review and decision.
Consent Application Procedure
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