Township of Muskoka Lakes Adjusts Planning Notice Circulation

Statutory planning notices to be posted online and on community boards at the municipal office beginning December 1, 2025. This shift aligns with the Township’s efforts to enhance the reliability and accessibility of its communications through digital channels. Mail distribution of planning notices have been discontinued.

MUSKOKA LAKES, ON, November 26, 2025 – The Township of Muskoka Lakes (“Township”) will implement revised procedures for issuing planning notices following endorsement by the Planning Committee and approval by Council at its meeting on November 12, 2025. The changes respond to ongoing postal service disruptions while also supporting the Township’s continued transition toward more reliable, timely and accessible communication through digital channels.

Effective December 1, 2025, statutory planning notices required under the Planning Act including notices of ‘complete applications’ and notices of ‘public meetings’ will now be provided through two primary channels:

• • Publication on the Township’s News webpage at www.muskokalakes.ca, under the Planning Notices category; and
  • Printed copies posted on the community boards at the Township Municipal Office (1 Bailey St., Port Carling, ON).

To be automatically notified of planning applications and public meetings once they are posted online, interested parties are encouraged to subscribe to the Planning Notices category on the Township’s News Subscription webpage.

Mail distribution of planning notices have been discontinued. This decision reflects recent and recurring postal service interruptions, increasing courier costs and the limited availability of local newspapers with sufficient circulation to meet legislative notice requirements.

To support public access to ongoing planning matters, the Township has launched a Planning Project page on Engage Muskoka Lakes, to provide updates in real-time on active planning applications, ongoing projects, completion notices and public meeting information. To be notified of timely updates, interested parties may also subscribe to this project page on Engage Muskoka Lakes.

Additionally, an interactive map of all current planning activity in the Township may also be accessed using Muskoka GeoHub, an online portal powered by the District Municipality of Muskoka Geomatics department.

The updated notice procedure maintains the requirement for notice signs to be posted on subject properties and forms part of the Township’s longer-term work to improve digital notification tools, including the future development of targeted landowner email alerts.

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For planning related questions, please contact: 
Jennifer Huff
Director of Development Services and Environmental Sustainability
(705) 765-3156 x272
jhuff@muskokalakes.ca

For general or media inquires, please contact:
Mia Palantzas
Communications Advisor
(705) 765-3156 x360
communications@muskokalakes.ca

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