Planning and Zoning

Victoria Harbour Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity Upgrade

The Victoria Harbour wastewater treatment plant is currently operating at maximum capacity under our current Environmental Certificate of Approval with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and as a result Tay Township is not permitted to allow the building of any new or additional dwelling units in Victoria Harbour, and westward to, but not including, Triple Bay Road until additional capacity is brought online. Please note this only applies to properties which are connected to or are required to connect to municipal wastewater services, it does not apply to those who are on private septic systems outside of the wastewater collection service area.

For more information please click here.

Tay Township Zoning By-law

To understand the planning policies that affect building and development in Tay Township, the Hierarchy of Planning Documents will show you how it works.

General Zoning By-law No. 2000-57

Tay Township Official Plan

The Official Plan is a statement of the Township's goals, objectives and policies used to guide future growth, land use and development within the Township of Tay for the next 20-25 years. The current Official Plan was adopted by Council on July 8th, 1998 and approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs on February 23rd, 1999.

Section 1 - Introduction

  • 1.1 Title and Content     1-1 
  • 1.2 Purpose      1-1
  • 1.3 Status of the Plan     1-2 
  • 1.4 Plan Contents     1-2

Section 2 - Goals and Objectives

  • 2.1 Community Vision     2-1
  • 2.2 General Goals     2-7
  • 2.3 General Objectives     2-12

Section 3 - General Development Policies

  • 3.1  General Policies     3-1
  • 3.2  Public Uses      3-4
  • 3.3  Group Homes     3-4
  • 3.4  Home Occupations     3-5
  • 3.5  Heritage Resources     3-5
  • 3.6  Severn Sound Remedial Action Plan  3-8
  • 3.7  Waterfront Docking and Storage Facilities  3-8
  • 3.8  Accessory Dwelling Units    3-9
  • 3.9  Garden Suite Dwelling Unit    3-10
  • 3.10  Expansion of Settlement Areas   3-11
  • 3.11  Consent Policies     3-12
  • 3.12  Flood Plains      3-16
  • 3.13  Aggregate Potential Areas    3-17

Section 4 - Land Use Designations and Policies

  • 4.1 Residential      4-1
  • 4.2 Commercial      4-17
  • 4.3 Industrial       4-25
  • 4.4 Agricultural       4-31
  • 4.5 Rural       4-35
  • 4.6 Open Space      4-38
  • 4.7 Institutional      4-41
  • 4.8 Environmental Protection    4-44

Section 5 - Policy Areas

  • 5.1 Methodist Island - Policy Area No. 1  5-1
  • 5.2  Forest Harbour - Policy Area No. 2   5-2
  • 5.3  Port McNicoll - Policy Area No. 3   5-20  

Section 6 - Infrastructure

  • 6.1 General Principles     6-1
  • 6.2 Sewage Treatment Servicing   6-2
  • 6.3 Water Servicing     6-4
  • 6.4 Transportation System    6-6
  • 6.5 Storm Water Management    6-11
  • 6.6 Waste Management System   6-12
  • 6.7 Contaminated Lands    6-13

Section 7 - Implementation

  • 7.1 General      7-1
  • 7.2 Zoning By-law and Holding Zones  7-1
  • 7.3 Temporary Use By-laws    7-3
  • 7.4 Interim Control By-laws    7-3
  • 7.5 Public Participation     7-4
  • 7.6 Site Plan Control     7-4
  • 7.7 Extensions or Enlargements of   Non-Conforming Uses 7-5
  • 7.8 Recognition of Non-Conforming Uses  7-7
  • 7.9 Financial Restrictions    7-8
  • 7.10 Detailed Plans     7-8
  • 7.11 Construction of Public Works   7-9
  • 7.12 Capital Works Program    7-9
  • 7.13 Official Plan Review and Housekeeping Amendments    7-9
  • 7.14 Draft Approval of Subdivision Plans  7-9
  • 7.15 Community Improvement and Property Standards 7-9

Section 8 - Interpretation

  • 8.1 Land Use Boundaries and Roads   8-1
  • 8.2 Figures and Quantities    8-1

View the Provincial Policy Statement. This document has provisions that guide all planning decisions within the Province of Ontario.

A Place to Grow has policies regarding development within the Greater Golden Horseshoe, which includes the County of Simcoe and Tay Township.

Planning Applications

The cost of your planning application will be according the current Fee and Services By-law.

Once the application is deemed to be complete, the approval time requirements as set out in the Planning Act will commence.

Application Deadline Committee of Adjustment Meeting
December 14, 2022 January 18, 2023
January 18, 2023 February 15, 2023
February 15, 2023 March 15, 2023
March 15, 2023 April 19, 2023
April 19, 2023 May 17, 2023
May 10, 2023 June 14, 2023
June 21, 2023 July 19, 2023
July 19, 2023 August 16, 2023
August 16, 2023 September 20, 2023
September 20, 2023 October 18, 2023
October 18, 2023 November 15, 2023
November 15, 2023 December 13, 2023
December 6, 2023 January 17, 2024

Committee agenda will be posted on the Township website the Friday before the schedule meeting date. 

Download a schedule here

For more information on the Committee of Adjustment click here. 

The following are examples of studies/reports that may be required by the township when reviewing an application:

  • Planning Justification Report
  • Survey
  • Archaeological Assessment
  • Record of Site Conditions/D4 Study (Landfills and Dumps)
  • Environmental Impact Statement
  • Geotechnical/Soil Suitability Report
  • Market Impact Study
  • Grading and Drainage Plan
  • Storm Water Management Plan
  • Servicing Study
  • Aggregate Extraction Potential Study
  • Easement Agreement
  • Site Plan Approval
  • Topographical Survey
  • Acoustical Study
  • Minimum Distance Separation Report (MDS)
  • Traffic Impact or Transportation Study

Development Charges

The Development Charges Act of Ontario allows municipalities to impose charges on new development to help pay for the services and infrastructure needed for growth rather than having to increase taxes on existing developed properties.

There are three government agency development charges. The brochures for each level of charge can be found below:

  1. Tay Township
  2. County of Simcoe
  3. District School Boards

Additional Information

**DISCLAIMER: The Schedules to By-law 2000-057 are currently being updated and may not be reflective of all changes made after 2012.**

**DISCLAIMER: The Zone Exceptions to By-law 2000-057 are currently being updated and may not be reflective of all changes made after 2012.**

Tay Township
450 Park Street, PO Box 100
Victoria Harbour
ON L0K 2A0
Phone: 705-534-7248

Kathryn Beemer
Protective & Development Administrative Assistant
705-534-7248 ext. 220
kbeemer@tay.ca 

Teslyn Heron
Planning Technician
705-534-7248 ext. 238
theron@tay.ca

Todd Weatherell
Manager of Planning and Development Services
705-534-7248 ext. 225
tweatherell@tay.ca

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