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What is a Zoning By-law?
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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 Muskoka 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 2014-14
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.
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When is a building permit required?
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A building permit is needed when a person constructs or demolishes a building or causes a building to be constructed or demolished. The Township of Muskoka Lakes also requires a building permit to be taken out when processing an application to connect to the District Water and Sewer. A permit to connect must be taken out first from the District of Muskoka. This permit must go with your application to the Township of Muskoka Lakes, along with the needed drawings.
The following is a list of common renovation projects that require a building permit:
- Constructing an addition to an existing building, such as:
- second or third story additions
- attached garages or carports
- “Muskoka rooms”
- porches, decks
- Making structural or material alterations, such as:
- adding or removing walls
- new windows or doors where there were none before
- enlarging or moving existing windows or doors
- expanding an existing deck or dock
- enclosing an existing deck or porch
- replacing structural parts of a deck or dock
- Finishing a basement, if the work proposed includes any of the following:
- structural or material alterations
- installing or modifying heating and/or plumbing systems
- excavating and/or constructing foundations
- basement underpinning
- constructing a basement entrance
- adding an additional unit or suite
- Demolishing or removing all or part of a building
- Installing or reconstructing a chimney or fireplace
- Installing a wood burning stove or fireplace
- Replacing or repairing footing drains
- Upgrading or repairing a sewage system
- Installing or modifying heating and/or plumbing systems
- Constructing or replacing a retaining wall (if the retaining wall is adjacent to public property)
- Changing a building's use (example: residential to commercial or single dwelling unit house to multi-dwelling unit house). Even if no construction is needed, if a change of use is proposed a building permit may be required.
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I need to determine the zoning of a property.
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| Please review the zoning of a property using the Muskoka GeoHub Map. |
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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 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 GeoHub Map) |
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I don't meet the requirements of a particular zone and require a Minor Variance or Zoning By-law Amendment.
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Please review application guides and application forms.
Minor Variance
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
A Site Plan Agreement establishes both design and technical aspects of development over and above the requirements set out in the Zoning By-law. Site Plan Agreements can help to:
- Ensure that development projects contribute to attractive waterfronts, streetscapes and the character of the neighbourhood, and
- Protect the environmental features and surrounding land (e.g. wetlands, wildlife habitats, water quality).
Some development in the Township is exempt from Site Plan Control. Please refer to Site Plan Control By-law 2006-100 for more information.
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I require a copy of a previously approved Zoning By-law Amendment.
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| Please note that a link is provided on the subject property through Muskoka GeoHub Map. |
| How do I request a Municipal Records 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.
If you would like to request a Municipal Records Search please submit a written request along with the fee to the Planning Department, Township of Muskoka Lakes, at either planning@muskokalakes.ca, or 1 Bailey Street PO Box 129 Port Carling ON P0B 1J0. In your request please provide the property tax roll number, property address, name of seller, name of purchaser, legal description of property, requisition date, name of law office, and email address where the Municipal Record Search can be returned once completed.
The Municipal Record Search Fee is $200.00 for a residential property and $300.00 for a commercial property. If you require the results within 48 hours and the municipality is able to accommodate the request, it is an additional $100.
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