Apply for a Community Planning Permit

The Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) is a land use planning tool designed to streamline development applications, support affordable housing and help housing reach the market more quickly.

View current applications on EngageWaterloo. You can provide feedback on open applications, ask questions to the planning team and view documents submitted to Council.

On this page:

  1. How applications are shared with the public
  2. When to request a Community Planning Permit
  3. How to apply for a permit under the bylaw
  4. Identify the class of application to submit
  5. Request a pre-submission consultation
  6. Apply for a Community Planning Permit
  7. Contact us

How applications are shared with the public

The public is invited to comment on Community Planning Permit applications.

For Class 2 applications we:

  • post a sign along the frontage of the lands
  • post information on EngageWaterloo

For Class 3 applications and any proposed amendments to the bylaw that require an approval from Council:

  • post a sign along the frontage of the lands
  • post information on EngageWaterloo
  • mail notices to properties within 120 m of the subject lands

When to request a a Community Planning Permit

Currently, the Community Planning Permit Bylaw applies to the Erb Street corridor.

There are three classes of applications under the Community Planning Permit (CPP) Bylaw and your project will be one of them depending on the planned development. Learn more about the three classes.

How to apply for a permit under the bylaw

The new Community Planning Permit Bylaw combines zoning bylaw amendments, minor variances and site plan applications into a single application and approval process. 

The process is:

  1. Apply for a pre-submission consultation with a city planner including all required project documents
  2. Modify your submission as recommended to meet bylaw requirements
  3. Submit a complete Community Planning Permit application
  4. Work with city planners as the application is reviewed
  5. Obtain conditional approval or approval without conditions
  6. Apply for a building permit

Identify the class of application to submit

There are three classes of applications under the Community Planning Permit (CPP) Bylaw. 

Class 2 and 3 applications will be required to address variation criteria and conform with the Official Plan, as amended, provincial policy and other applicable legislation.

Class 1

The application meets all development standards of the bylaw, no variation from the CPPS Bylaw or Official Plan is required and planned uses are permitted under the bylaw.

Class 2

The application generally meets the intent, standards and provisions of the bylaw, but requires a staff variation. The variation should:

  • be within the established staff variation threshold for development standards outlined in Sections 7 to 10 of the CPP bylaw
  • include a listed discretionary use
  • be a variation to a standard in Section 2: Definitions, Section 3: General Regulations, Section 6: Parking, Driveways, Loading or Schedule ‘C’: Site Specific Regulations in the CPP bylaw

Class 3

The application generally meets the intent, standards and provisions of the bylaw but requires a Council variation that is beyond the established staff variation threshold for development standards outlined in Sections 7 to 10 of the CPP bylaw.

Request a pre-submission consultation

Before submitting a complete application for an amendment, applicants must request a pre-submission consultation meeting.

The purpose of the consultation is to:

  • review the Community Planning Permit System process
  • provide preliminary comments on conceptual plans
  • identify the formal submission materials required for a complete application

Pre-consultation does not imply or suggest any decision on behalf of city staff or the Corporation of the City of Waterloo.

Prepare to submit your application:

  1. Determine the property is within the CPPS area on the interactive city map.
  2. Review and understand the Community Planning Permit Bylaw.
  3. Review the CPPS guidelines to answer your questions about the process.
  4. Identify the class of CPPS that applies.
  5. Be prepared to submit all of the required documents for your project.

Gather supporting documents

Submission requirements for your application may vary according to the details of your project.

Requirements may include:

  • cover letter with a summary of the proposed development and the class that applies
    • instructions about what to include are available in the Community Planning Permit System booklet (PDF)
  • concept plan with drawings
  • plan, elevation and cross-section view drawings for each proposed building according to the standards and requirements in the manual
  • known constraints on or near the subject lands (for example: easements, environmental constraints)
  • digital copies of all submission materials to be uploaded and attached to the form

If you need more information about what to include, you can contact city staff for more information. If city staff need more information once they begin the review, they will contact you to request it.

What happens after you apply

Once your request is received, a planner will be assigned to your file.

The planner will contact you to explain next steps, which include:

  • reviewing and evaluating your submission materials
  • scheduling a pre-submission consultation meeting

After your consultation, the assigned planner will explain how to submit a complete application package for the permit. They will confirm which terms of reference documents are required.

Apply for a Community Planning Permit

You must complete a pre-submission consultation before you apply for the permit.

We will provide a link to the formal application form when it becomes available.

After the city confirms the application is complete, the review process will begin. The review may result in conditional approval or approval with no conditions.

Application fees

Fees will be posted once they are in effect.

Contact us

If you need help with these applications, email devservices@waterloo.ca or call 519-747-8752.