Planning and Zoning

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

• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Preamble
• Section 1 - Title
• Section 2 - Interpretation
• Section 3 - Definitions
• Section 4 - General Provisions
• Section 5 - Parking and Loading Requirements
• Section 6 - Use Zones and Boundaries
• Section 7 - Village Residential "R1"
• Section 8 - Village Residential "R2"
• Section 9 - Village Residential - Special "R2-S"
• Section 10 - Multiple Residential - "R3"
• Section 11 - Residential Estate "RE"
• Section 12 - Shoreline Residential "SR"
• Section 13 - Limited Service Residential "LSR"
• Section 14 - Residential Mobile Home Park "RMH"
• Section 15 - Recreational Trailer Park "RTP"
• Section 16 - Village Commercial "C1"
• Section 17 - Neighbourhood Commercial "C2"
• Section 18 - Tourist Accommodation Commercial "C3"
• Section 19 - Highway Service Commercial "C4"
• Section 20 - Rural Commercial "C5"
• Section 21 - Marine Commercial "C6"
• Section 22 - General Industrial "M1"
• Section 23 - Prestige Industrial "M2"
• Section 24 - Mineral Aggregate Resource "MAR"
• Section 25 - Agricultural "A"
• Section 26 - Rural "RU"
• Section 27 - Institutional "I"
• Section 28 - Environmental Protection "EP"
• Section 29 - Open Space "OS"
• Section 30 - Lake Side "LS"
• Section 31 - Development "D"
• Section 32 - Mixed Use "MU"
• Section 33 - Implementation

• Schedule "A" Index
• Schedules "B" to "N"
• Schedule Amendments 2002
• Schedule Amendments 2003
• Schedule Amendments 2004
• Schedule Amendments 2005
• Schedule Amendments 2006
• Schedule Amendments 2007
• Schedule Amendments 2008
• Schedule Amendments 2009
• Schedule Amendments 2010
• Schedule Amendments 2011
• Schedule Amendments 2012

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

• Schedule "A" Land Use Plan
• Schedule "B" Infrastructure Plan
• Schedule "C" Port McNicoll Settlement Area
• Schedule "D" Victoria Harbour Settlement Area
• Schedule "E" Waubaushene Settlement Area
• Schedule "F" Waverley Settlement Area

Download the County of Simcoe Official Plan

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.

• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• The Planning Act
• The Municipal Act
• Ontario Land Tribunal

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

• Pre-consultation Application (Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, Plan of Subdivision or Condominium, or Site Plan)
• Minor Variance Application
• Severance Application 
• Zoning By-law Amendment/Temporary Use By-law/Removal of Holding Symbol
• Official Plan Amendment 
• Site Plan Agreement 
• Deem Lots Application
• Pre-servicing Agreement Application
• Plan of Subdivision or Condominium Applications
• Application for Extension or Revision to a Draft Plan Approved Plan of Subdivision

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

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

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
   • Simcoe County District School Board & Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board

• Notice of Passing: By-law 2024-04, 2024-05, and 2024-06
• Background Study: Hemson 2023
• By-law 2024-04: Pertaining to General Services and Services Related to a Highway*
• By-law 2024-05: Pertaining to Wastewater Services*
• By-law 2024-06: Pertaining to Water Services*

*The related By-laws are currently under appeal and subject to change