Minor variance, permission and consent applications

Check which application you need

• A Minor Variance is a proposed change to a property, which does not conform to the Zoning By-law.
• A minor variance approval allows the property owner to obtain a building permit even though their property does not comply precisely with the zoning bylaw.
• Permission allows the applicant to enlarge a building or structure, or may permit similar or more compatible use where land, buildings or structures have been lawfully used for a purpose now prohibited by the Zoning By-law.
• Consent enables the applicant to enter transactions relating to the subdivision of land. These transactions can include the creation of a new lot; leases over 21 years; mortgage or partial discharge of a mortgage; foreclosure or exercise of power of sale; rights-of-ways and easements over 21 years; lot adjustments and extensions; and corrections to deeds or property descriptions.
• Is the application minor?
• Is the application desirable for the appropriate development of the lands in question?
• Does the application conform to the general intent of the Zoning By-law?
• Does the application conform to the general intent of the Official Plan?

Before you apply

• The applicant must contact the Building Services division prior to submitting an application to obtain the proper Zoning By-law requirements and undertake a Preliminary Zoning Review.
• A pre-consultation with planning staff is recommended prior to submitting to determine if an application conforms to the Official Plan and/or severance policies of the Town of Aurora.
• Failure to follow this procedure may result in the application being delayed due to improper information being submitted. The pre-consultation also acts as an opportunity for the applicant to ask questions about the Committee of Adjustment process.
• Pre-Application Consultation Request Form

Read the guidelines and checklist

• Minor Variance Process Guidelines
• Consent Application Process Guidelines
• Committee of Adjustment Application Form Checklist
• Frequently Asked Questions

Complete the forms2Download the set12 forms

Anyone considering applying for a minor variance, permission or consent application can pick up the application form at Town Hall, or download the application form for Minor Variance or Consent.

• Minor Variance Application FormForm3 editions
• Consent Application FormForm2 editions

Submit your application

• Consent and Minor Variance applications may be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer through our online Portal.
• In order to access the portal, you must register as a user: click on the register with Portal to create your account.
• All electronic documents, plans and drawings must be submitted in PDF format, version 7 or later.
• Files must be unsecured and not password protected.
• Plans/Drawings with multiple pages and sets must be combined into a single Electronic Document (PDF format) in the same order as the submitted paper document.
• Documents/Drawings containing multiple layers must be flattened to a single layer prior to submission.
• Documents/Drawings must have no comments. Text placed on the PDF as a comment must be flattened or removed. When rendering drawings to PDF, options for saving text as comments must not be selected.
• Submitted PDF files must be a single layer.
• Electronically-produced documents, plans and drawings (i.e. docx) must be converted into PDF format for submission.
• The maximum page size is an ARCH E (36″x48″ or 914.4mm (≈ 3 ft) x 1219.2mm (≈ 4 ft)).
• The scale and page size of the plans/drawings on the PDF must match the scale and page size of the full-sized plans/drawings on paper.
• Documents must be properly labelled.
• Hard copies can be dropped off directly to the Planning Department located on the third floor at Town Hall, or may be mailed to (Town of Aurora, Development Planning Division, 100 John West Way, Box 1000, Aurora, ON, L4G 6J1).
• Please be sure to clearly label what the package (e.g. address and application type) and provide contact name and number/email.
• NEW - 2026 Committee of Adjustment Meeting Schedule
• Sign Posting Instructions for a Minor Variance Application
• Sign Posting Instructions for a Consent Application

Pay the fee

• Planning and Development Fees - effective January 2, 2026
• Fees are payable by cheque only, made out to the Town of Aurora, and can be mailed to Town of Aurora, Attn: Planning Department, 100 John West Way, Aurora, ON L4G 6J1.
• Alternatively, the cheque can be dropped off directly to the Planning Department located on the 3rd floor of Town Hall.
• Please be sure to indicate what the cheque is for (e.g., Fee for minor variance application for 12 Jones St).
• Please contact the Planning Division prior to submitting fees to ensure they are correct.