Submitting a Planning Application or Municipal Record Search
A Pre-consultation is highly recommended for Zoning By-law Amendment, Site Plan Applications, Minor Variance and Consent Applications.
Please request a pre-consultation through our Pre-consultation Request Form here.
The Township of Muskoka Lakes Planning Division is now accepting Planning Applications and Municipal Record Searches online through Cloudpermit!
Submit an Application or a Municipal Record Search
The links below can help navigate the Cloudpermit process:
- How to log in to Cloudpermit as a registered user.
- How to determine the property location.
- How to complete a planning application.
- How to sign off, upload and download an affidavit and submit the planning approval application.
- How to invite a party to an application for agents and more than one property owner.
- Conditions in planning applications.
- For additional information, please view the Applicant User Guide.
Planning Activity in Muskoka Lakes
This Map on the Muskoka GeoHub shows the locations and details of various planning-related applications within the Township of Muskoka Lakes. You can review both in-progress and completed applications, and where available, official decision documents are also provided.
Currently this app contains the following types of applications:
- Minor Variances
Other types of applications will be made available here in the future including:
- Official Plan Amendments
- Zoning By-Law Amendments
Frequently Asked Questions
| I need to determine the zoning of a property. |
| Please review the zoning of a property using the Muskoka Lakes GeoHub Map. |
| I need to review zoning/development requirements (minimum frontage/area, setbacks, height, lot coverage, etc.) of a particular zone. |
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First, confirm the zoning of the property using the Muskoka Lakes GeoHub Map. Once confirmed, please consult with the Township's Comprehensive Zoning By-law. (please also note that a link to the zone section is provided through Muskoka Lakes GeoHub Map) |
| I don't meet the requirements of a particular zone and require a Minor Variance or Zoning By-law Amendment. |
Minor VarianceA Minor Variance can provide specific relief from provisions of our Zoning By-law (an example would be needing to build slightly closer to a property boundary than the setbacks permitted in the Zoning By-law). Minor Variance decisions are made by the Committee of Adjustment. Pre-consultation is highly recommended to help streamline the application process. Submit a Minor Variance Application The links below can help navigate the Cloudpermit process:
Zoning by-law 2014-14Zoning By-law 2014-14 is the new comprehensive zoning by-law applying to all properties in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. If a proposed use or structure on a property doesn't meet the requirements of our Zoning By-law, an application may be made for a Zoning By-law Amendment (or rezoning). The decision to approve or deny an application is made by Council. Prior to this decision, Planning Committee will hold a public meeting and make a recommendation to Council. Please note a Pre-consultation is highly recommended for Zoning By-law Amendment Applications. |
| I wish to subdivide or alter the lot lines of my property. |
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Please confirm the zoning of your property and related zoning requirements. Consent from the Township is needed to separate a piece of land to form a new lot. A Consent is not needed in certain situations, such as when the land is already divided by a railway or public road. You can also apply for Consent to create a Right-of-Way or change existing property boundaries (e.g. lot addition). Consent Application decisions are made by the Committee of Adjustment, unless submitted concurrently with a necessary Zoning By-law Amendment. Pre-consultation is highly recommended to help streamline the application process. The links below can help navigate the Cloudpermit process: |
| Do I need Pre-consultation? |
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As of June 6th, 2024, pre-consultations with Planning staff are no longer mandatory for applicants who need a Zoning By-law Amendment, Official Plan Amendment, Site Plan and Condominium or Plan of Subdivision Applications to proceed with development in the Township of Muskoka Lakes, however it is highly recommended. Pre-consultation is also highly recommended for Minor Variance and Consent applications to streamline the process by reducing the number of incomplete applications. Please request a pre-consultation through our Pre-consultation Request Form here. The links below can help navigate the Cloudpermit process: |
| I wish to determine whether or not a proposed development is subject to Site Plan Control, or have questions regarding the Site Plan Approval process. |
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Please review the Site Plan Control By-law, application guide and application form. Site Plan Control enables the Township to control certain matters on and around a property proposed for development, such as lighting and vegetative buffers. Through this process, a Site Plan Agreement is entered into and registered on title which, among other matters, identifies the location of buildings and structures and works to be completed, and may require securities for matters such as native species tree plantings and stormwater management works. This process ensures that development proposals are well designed, in character with the surrounding community, and protect environmental features and surrounding land. Please note that applications for Site Plan Approval are delegated to staff for review and approval. Provincial legislation permits the Township to impose Site Plan Control for residential development within 300 metres of a railway line or within 120 metres of an inland lake, wetland, or a river or stream valley, as well as for Residential development of 10 or more units and Commercial and Industrial uses. The Township's Site Plan Control By-law (2006-100) then further identifies which lakes, zones, and development proposals must receive Site Plan Approval prior to the issuance of a Building Permit. Please contact the Planning Division if you need clarification. Please note that a Pre-consultation is highly recommended to help streamline the application process. Please request a pre-consultation through our Pre-consultation Request Form here. |
| I require a copy of a previously approved Zoning By-law Amendment. |
| Please note that a link is provided on the subject property through Muskoka Lakes GeoHub Map. |
| How do I request a Municipal Record Search? |
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A Municipal Record Search is a document that provides details regarding issued building permits on file, the status of inspections, and any outstanding orders. It also offers information with respect to planning such as the zoning designation, permitted uses, and any planning approvals for the property. Typically, these requests are from solicitors performing a transfer of ownership or placing a mortgage. Submit Municipal Record Search Request The links below can help navigate the Cloudpermit process: |
Zoning By-law 2014-14
Zoning By-law 2014-14 is the new comprehensive zoning by-law applying to all properties in the Township of Muskoka Lakes.
If a proposed use or structure on a property doesn't meet the requirements of our Zoning By-law, an application may be made for a Zoning By-law Amendment (or rezoning). The decision to approve or deny an application is made by Council. Prior to this decision, Planning Committee will hold a public meeting and make a recommendation to Council.
Applications
Zoning Maps and By-law Amendments |
What is a Zoning By-law?Zoning By-laws regulate how land and buildings are used, the location of buildings, lot coverage, building heights and other provisions necessary to ensure proper development. How do I find out what the zoning is for a property?Visit the Muskoka Lakes Web Map to determine your zoning designation or contact the Planning Department at the Township of Muskoka Lakes. Official Zoning Schedules are located at the Township of Muskoka Lakes office. Please contact the Planning Department for current information. Zoning by-law 2014-14Zoning By-law 2014-14 is the new comprehensive zoning by-law applying to all properties in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. If a proposed use or structure on a property doesn't meet the requirements of our Zoning By-law, an application may be made for a Zoning By-law Amendment (or rezoning). The decision to approve or deny an application is made by Council. Prior to this decision, Planning Committee will hold a public meeting and make a recommendation to Council. Please note that Pre-consultation is highly recommended to help streamline the application process. |
Consent Applications – Land Severances |
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Consent from the Township is needed to separate a piece of land to form a new lot. A Consent is not needed in certain situations, such as when the land is already divided by a railway or public road. You can also apply for Consent to create a Right-of-Way or change existing property boundaries (e.g. lot addition). Consent Application decisions are made by the Committee of Adjustment, unless submitted concurrently with a necessary Zoning By-law Amendment. Pre-consultation is recommended to help streamline the application process. The links below can help navigate the Cloudpermit process: |
Minor Variances |
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A Minor Variance can provide specific relief from provisions of our Zoning By-law (an example would be needing to build slightly closer to a property boundary than the setbacks permitted in the Zoning By-law). Minor Variance decisions are made by the Committee of Adjustment. Pre-consultation is highly recommended to help streamline the application process. Submit a Minor Variance Application The links below can help navigate the Cloudpermit process: |
Site Plan Agreements |
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Site Plan Control enables the Township to control certain matters on and around a property proposed for development, such as lighting and vegetative buffers. Through this process, a Site Plan Agreement is entered into and registered on title which, among other matters, identifies the location of buildings and structures and works to be completed, and may require securities for matters such as native species tree plantings and stormwater management works. This process ensures that development proposals are well designed, in character with the surrounding community, and protect environmental features and surrounding land. Please note that applications for Site Plan Approval are delegated to staff for review and approval. Provincial legislation permits the Township to impose Site Plan Control for residential development within 300 metres of a railway line or within 120 metres of an inland lake, wetland, or a river or stream valley, as well as for Residential development of 10 or more units and Commercial and Industrial uses. The Township's Site Plan Control By-law (2006-100) then further identifies which lakes, zones, and development proposals must receive Site Plan Approval prior to the issuance of a Building Permit. Please contact the Planning Division if you need clarification. Please note that Pre-consultation is highly recommended to help streamline the application process. |
Deeming By-law Application |
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Submit a Deeming By-law Application The links below can help navigate the Cloudpermit process: |
Other Planning Applications |
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