Committee of adjustment

On this page

1. Types of applications considered by the committee
2. Submit an application for a minor variance to the Zoning Bylaw
3. Submit an Applicant for consent
4. How to meet source water protection requirements
5. Fees
6. How to get a signed affidavit to submit for your application
7. Submission deadlines and meeting dates
8. Contact the committee coordinator

Types of applications

1. Application for minor variance: request a variance to zoning regulations applicable to the subject land.
   Examples are reducing the required setback of a proposed building from a property boundary, or increasing the floor area of a building from what is normally permitted.
2. Application for consent: request a severance, right of way, easement or lease. Examples are dividing the subject land into one or more lots or requesting a right of way across municipal owned lands.

Staff can help you determine what type of application is required. Contact the committee coordinator.

Submit an application for a minor variance to the Zoning Bylaw

Requirements to know before you begin are:

• complete and submit the environmental screening questionnaire (PDF) from the Region of Waterloo with your application
• follow the source water protection requirements instructions and include the Notice of Source Protection Plan document and the screening form with all applications
• view the terms of reference documents to help you create the supporting documents (if any) requested by the committee 
• you require a signed authorization from the owner of the property to apply for the amendment or variance
• follow the process to include an affidavit with your submission. You also have an option to submit it after submission following the instructions in your confirmation email.

Documents that you will need to attach to your application

1. Letter of authorization from the owner of the subject lands. Whether the owner is one person or more, or a corporation, a signed letter of authorization for the applicant to proceed with the application is required.
2. If the applicant is the purchaser or the purchaser's agent, a copy of the portion of the agreement of purchase and sale that authorizes the purchaser to make the application in respect of the land that is the subject of the application.
3. A sketch of the proposed change that meets all of these requirements:
   • project name
   • applicant name
   • name of the firm preparing the plans (if applicable)
   • dimensions provided in metric 
   • scale of the drawing
   • north symbol
   • municipal address
   • names of adjacent streets
4. The environmental screening questionnaire
5. The water source protection screening form
6. The Notice of Source Protection Plan document (if relevant)
7. A signed and commissioned affidavit may be submitted with your application or after submission by following the instructions in your confirmation email
8. Any other documents identified as required during a pre-application consultation with city staff

Apply for minor variance

Submit an Application for consent

Requirements to know before you begin

• complete and submit the environmental screening questionnaire (PDF) from the Region of Waterloo with your application
• follow the source water protection requirements instructions and include the Notice of Source Protection Plan document and the screening form with all applications
• view the terms of reference documents to help you create the supporting documents (if any) requested by the committee 
• follow the process to include an affidavit with your submission. You also have an option to submit it after submission following the instructions in your confirmation email.

Documents that you will need to attach to your application

1. Letter of authorization from the owner of the subject lands. Whether the owner is one person or more, or a corporation, a letter of authorization for the applicant to proceed with the application is required.
2. If the applicant is the purchaser or the purchaser's agent, a copy of the portion of the agreement of purchase and sale that authorizes the purchaser to make the application in respect of the land that is the subject of the application.
A sketch of the proposed consent including the following requirements:
• project name
• applicant name
• name of the firm preparing the plans (if applicable)
• dimensions provided in metric 
• scale of the drawing
• north symbol
• municipal address
• names of adjacent streets
• On sketches for requests that divide or partition a lot provide:
  • the boundaries and dimensions of the subject land, the part that is to be severed and the part that is to be retained, and the land abutting the subject land
  • the distance between the subject land and the nearest township lot line of landmark such as a bridge or railway crossing
  • the location of all land previously severed from the parcel originally acquired by the current owner of the subject land and any land owned by the owner abutting the subject land
  • the approximate location of all natural and artificial features on the subject land and adjacent lands that may affect the application, such as buildings, railways, roads, watercourses, drainage ditches, river or stream banks, wetlands, wooded areas, wells and septic tanks
  • the location, width and name of any roads within or abutting the subject land, indicating whether it is an unopen road allowance, a public traveled road, a private road, or a right of way
  • if access to the subject land is by water only, the location of the parking and boat docking facilities to be used
  • the location and nature of any easements affecting the subject land
3. The environmental screening questionnaire
4. The water source protection screening form
5. The Notice of Source Protection Plan document (if relevant)
6. A signed and commissioned affidavit may be submitted with your application or after submission by following the instructions in your confirmation email
7. Any other documents identified as required during a pre-application consultation with city staff

Apply for consent

How to meet source water protection requirements

All applications must comply with the Region of Waterloo’s source water protection plan. Follow this process to ensure your committee of adjustment application is complete:

• Go to the region's source water protection map.

• Click on "I need a document for a building permit or development application" and enter location.

• Answer questions as prompted and download Notice of Source Protection Plan document.

• Print and sign document. Include it in your committee of adjustment application.

To ensure applicants have completed this step, we require a screening form (PDF) to be completed along with the Source Protection Plan document.

How to get a signed affidavit to submit for your application

Fees

See below for current City of Waterloo fees. The Region of Waterloo also charges a $350 review fee for consent applications. View the Grand River Conservation Authority website to see if they have additional fees that apply. City fees will increase on September 1, 2024.

The City of Waterloo currently accepts payment by cash, debit or cheque. All payments need to be made in person at our counter on the 2nd Floor of City Hall. 

Committee of Adjustment application fees are non-refundable upon circulation of the application.  

Submission and meeting dates

Applications are due four weeks ahead of a committee meeting. See schedule below.

View meeting agenda

 2025 Submission and meeting dates

Contact the committee coordinator

For information regarding future application deadlines and meeting dates or if you have questions about your application, contact the committee coordinator at 519-747-8773 or danielle.ingram@waterloo.ca.