Committee of Adjustment

IMPORTANT:

Where a Minor Type 1, Minor Type 2 and/or Major Development Fee applies in the same application, the higher fee will apply.

An application fee is required for each separate (conveyable) lot.

Minor Development Type 1

All variances in support of Minor Development Type 1, including but not limited to:

• Driveway
• Landscape, including hard and soft landscape
• Swimming Pool
• Accessory Building or Structure, Residential Accessory Structure
• Secondary Suite (a dwelling unit that is accessory to a principal dwelling unit and located within the principal dwelling unit)
• Balcony, Porch, or Uncovered Platform
• Private Garage or Carport
• Ornamental Building Feature

Minor Development Type 2

 All variances in support of Minor Development Type 2, including but not limited to:

• Building additions and alterations to existing dwelling with three dwelling units or less
• Home Industry
• Home Occupation
• Outdoor Display Area
• Outdoor Display Area, Seasonal
• Outdoor Patio associated with restaurant use

• Outdoor Storage

   

Major Development 3

All variances in support of residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial uses or development standards and the creation of new lots. Including, but not limited to:

• Use Permissions
• Creation of New Lots 
• Dwelling (includes all Dwelling Types)
• Secondary Dwelling Unit 
• Accessory Agriculture
• Model Home
• Temporary Sales Office

After the Fact Variances 4

Required as a result of a registered complaint, construction inspection, building order or enforcement action.

Note: All Fees are HST Exempt. The City reserves the right to review HST applicability for any regulatory or legislative changes.

Meeting Dates 

A tentative hearing date will be provided to an applicant once an application reaches Stage 2, which requires completion of a zoning review. Tentative hearing dates are provided to assist the applicant with preparing the required public notice sign and should not be considered final as they are subject to change based on comments and recommendations received from staff and agencies.

Refund Policy

View Public Notices (below) Issued for the October 3, 2024, Committee of Adjustment Hearing. To obtain more information on any of the above applications, including plans, please email cofa@vaughan.ca.

Click here to view the Committee of Adjustment Reports for applications scheduled to the October 3, 2024, hearing. The link to Committee Reports will be available on September 27, 2024.

These reports contain a summary of the application, requested variances from the City’s Zoning By-law, staff/agency recommendations, public comments received to date, and all plans and sketches submitted with the application. 

Do you want to speak to the Committee?

If you wish to speak to the Committee on an application, please email the Request to Speak Form to cofa@vaughan.ca by noon on the day prior to the scheduled hearing. 

Do you want to watch the Committee Hearing?

Click here to view the live meeting. Link will be activated at 6 p.m. on the day of the hearing. 

Tips for Speaking at a Committee Meeting

• Be present at the start of the hearing (6 p.m.). An application may be approved at the start of the hearing where there is no public feedback or requests to speak.  
• Ensure you have all relevant documents and information about the matter you are speaking about.
• Introduce yourself before you start your deputation – provide your name and address.
• Highlight your key points related to the agenda item.
• Remember the time limit – you will have five minutes to speak.
• Larger groups or organizations should consider appointing a single representative to speak on behalf of everyone.

Public Record

All personal information collected because of this public meeting (including both written and oral submissions) is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), the Planning Act and all other relevant legislation, and will be used to assist in deciding on this matter. All personal information (as defined by MFIPPA), including (but not limited to) names, addresses, opinions and comments collected will become property of the City of Vaughan, will be made available for public disclosure (including being posted on the internet) and will be used to assist the Committee of Adjustment and staff to process this application.

Request a Decision

If you wish to receive a copy of the Committee's decision on an application, please complete and submit Request for Decision form to cofa@vaughan.ca 

Important Changes to Third Party Appeal Rights

The Provincial Government has amended the Planning Act and generally removed rights of third parties to appeal Committee of Adjustment decisions. As of November 28, 2022, only the applicant, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, specified persons and public bodies (as defined in the Planning Act), are permitted to appeal decisions of the Committee of Adjustment.