Minor variance and consent applications

Check which application you need

• If your project requires a small change to Milton’s Zoning By-laws, you can apply for a minor variance.
• A minor variance does not change a Zoning By-law. It excuses the property owner from a requirement of the by-law.
• If you’re requesting a major change to a by-law standard or a use that is not permitted, applying for rezoning may be required.
• Involve only a minor change from zoning requirements
• Respect the general intent of the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws
• Be appropriate for the development, use of the land or type of building
• The consent approval process (described in Section 53 of the Planning Act) is an alternative for land division proposals that are relatively less complex where a plan of subdivision is not required (e.g., the creation of one or two lots or easements).
• The Planning Act requires property owners to obtain “consent” approval before conveying part of their property.
• Please note the Town of Milton Official Plan as well as the Region of Halton Official Plan (our approval authority) does not permit severances (new lot creations) in the rural areas of Milton. The only severances permitted are lot line adjustments that are minor and for legal purposes only.
• Create a limited number of new lots (called lot creation)
• Add land to a neighbouring lot (called lot addition)
• Create one or more rights-of-way (called easements)
• Charge over a part of a property (mortgage); or
• Enter into a lease over a part of a property when the term of the lease totals 21 years or more, inclusive of renewal options.

Talk to staff before you apply

• Before you prepare and submit your application to the Committee of Adjustment, it is strongly recommended that you consult with Development Review staff to discuss the merits of the proposal, confirm variances that may be required and identify any documentation needed in support of the application.
• The Town’s Complete Application Policies require that persons intending to make application for consent (to sever) participate in a pre-consultation process prior to submitting an application.
• Where pre-consultation requirements are not satisfied and/or all required supporting information or material is not provided at the time an application is submitted, staff may deem the application incomplete and refuse to accept it.
• Please contact the Committee of Adjustment Office to schedule a pre-consultation at 905-878-7252, ext. 2313 or via email.
  Another Milton page says this differently: “To book a pre-consultation meeting, please complete the pre-consultation application and email the Development Review Team.” (Development Applications). Confirm before you apply: Committee of Adjustment Office (Development Services Department), 905-878-7252, ext. 2313.

Complete the forms2Download the set3 forms

Please contact the Committee Secretary to receive an application form and to discuss how to make a minor variance and/or consent application during this time.

• Minor variance applicationThe application form outlines the requirements for submitting an application for minor variance.Form
• Consent application formForm

Prepare your drawings and documents0 of 27

• Minor variance: pre-submission4A minimum of three weeks prior to the final COA Deadline, the following is required:
• Minor variance: site plan5The required site plan must show:
• Consent: application form and supporting documentation10At time of submission, the following is required:
• Consent: drawing specifications4Drawing specifications – including location map, consent sketch, etc.
• Consent: survey or consent sketch4A legal survey or consent sketch of the subject property showing:
• Consent: drawing specifications4Drawing specifications – including location map, consent sketch, etc.

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Submit your application

• View the 2026 Submission Schedule
• This schedule applies to minor variance applications only. All Committee of Adjustment hearings are held monthly on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m.
• A draft copy of the application form and associated drawings is required for preliminary zoning/planning review and forwarded electronically to the Committee Secretary-Treasurer. Once staff have completed the necessary review, the applicant will be advised and final submission (including all copies fees, etc.) can be made directly to the Committee Secretary-Treasurer.
• Completed application form (with signatures). Please ensure the PDF copy is generated from the form provided and not a scanned copy.
• One set of the latest drawings and any reports in PDF format and generated directly from the software used to create them (Word, Excel, AutoCAD, Softplan, Revit, etc.) using a PDF printer or converter (no scanned copies). All PDF files must have the document properties/restrictions/security permissions set to allow “Printing” and “Adding Markups”.
• The files must be uncompressed (no zipped files and no folders)
• Label PDFs properly (No file numbers and dates - Planning Justification Report, Concept Plan, Draft Plan of Subdivision, Traffic Impact Study, etc.)
• Each PDF file must not exceed 15MB
• One original signed completed application form and plans/sketches/drawings (original signatures required) (all sections completed) plus five copies of above plus one digital copy of all plans/sketches must be provided to the Committee Office via email or USB. All copies are to be collated and stapled no larger than 11” x 17”) is required for each new lot created (not including the retained lot) and/or lot addition, easement, lease, etc.
  Another Milton page says this differently: “Complete a lot severance/consent application and submit it with all necessary documents during your submission meeting.” (Development Applications). Confirm before you apply: Committee of Adjustment Office (Development Services Department), 905-878-7252, ext. 2313.
• The application will not be accepted until all sections of the form are considered to be complete and all requirements have been met. If the submission is incomplete or inaccurate, the application will be returned (without prejudice) for completion, correction or clarification prior to acceptance and processing by Town staff.

Pay the fee

• Type 1: $2,402 (Decks, fences, accessory structures, parking on residential driveways, agricultural buildings, public uses, high density residential developments and residential additions less than 75m² (≈ 807 sq ft))
• Type 2: $4,515.51 (New dwellings or residential additions greater than 75m² (≈ 807 sq ft))
• Type 3: $10,262 (Commercial / Industrial / Institutional uses)
• Special COA hearing: $2,480
• The Town’s User Fee By-law notes that minor variance application fees are non-refundable, upon withdrawal of any application, regardless of the timing of the withdrawal.
• Type 2: Residential application: $6,475
• Type 1: Commercial/industrial application: $8,537
• Minor Revision fee: $4,515.51
• Major Revision fee: $4,515.51
• Planning fees are due at time of submission. A cheque made payable to the Town of Milton can be submitted either by mail or in person (Drop Box or at Cashiers in the Main Lobby) to the attention of Planning Administrator at Town Hall at 150 Mary Street, Milton.
• Applicant/Owner Name
• Site Address
• File Number (if known)
• Missing information can cause delays in processing your payment and application.
• Applicable Halton Region fees should be forwarded directly to Halton Region.
• Applicable Conservation Halton fees are to be forwarded directly to Conservation Halton.