What is a Community Planning Permit System?

A Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) is a land use planning tool for municipalities in Ontario, previously known as the Development Permit System (DPS). It offers an alternative to the typical planning approval process and can be applied to specific areas or city-wide. The current project aims to implement a CPPS for Downtown (Area A) and Stone Road/Edinburgh Road (Area B). A CPPS replaces the existing zoning by-law with a new Community Planning Permit By-law, combining zoning amendments, minor variances, and site plan approvals. This system is more flexible and supports local objectives like affordable housing, sustainable design, and environmental protection.

This project will create a new land use framework for the City that can support the acceleration of housing supply while providing predictability and stability for development approvals. Completing this work will fulfill a commitment made through receipt of the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).