Planning and Development

The Township of Southwold Zoning By-Law regulates the use of land, buildings and structures and the general use of property. It also protects environmentally and ecologically sensitive lands, natural heritage features and lands impacted by development.

The Township of Southwold enacted By-Law 2011-14 on February 14, 2011; and came into full force and effect when the 2011 Official Plan was approved by the Province of Ontario on November 1, 2013.

View the Zoning By-Law Text.

View our Township Zoning By-law Maps.

In addition to the link above, zoning can be accessed through Elgin Mapping, an online interactive mapping service. 

A consent (severance) application is required to create a new lot, add to an existing lot, or give the right to use part of a lot.

Elgin County Land Division Committee is the approval authority for consents. The Township of Southwold is required to provide a recommendation to the Elgin County Land Division Committee for consents, as a commenting agency.

You are required to complete and submit the Elgin County Land Division Committee Application for Consent to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Elgin County Land Division. Fees are applicable to consent applications and are payable to the County of Elgin and the Township of Southwold. Information about fees payable to Elgin County can be found on their website.

At any time while you are completing the application, if you have any questions, please contact the Municipal Planner. Please contact us by email or by calling 519-769-2010.

Once the application is received by the County of Elgin, the Township of Southwold will be notified. The Township will then request a review fee in order to review and process the local municipalities interests in the consent application.

Planning pre-application consultation is required prior to application(s) submission with the Township and other applicable agencies. Please contact the planner by email or by phone at 519-769-2010.

A minor variance is a change or permission from the zoning regulations of the Township's Zoning By-Law. The minor variance process allows a property owner the opportunity to seek permission or relief from a specific zoning regulation of the Township's Zoning By-Law by applying to the Committee of Adjustment.

Planning pre-application consultation is required prior to application(s) submission with the Township and other applicable agencies. Please contact the Planner by email or by phone at 519-769-2010.

The application is to be submitted to the municipal planner.

The Official Plan for the Township of Southwold is a planning document that includes a statement of goals, objectives, and policies for managing growth and development, and identifies key areas on Official Plan Maps. It also protects the environment and heritage characteristics of our community. It sets out a comprehensive framework for land use decision-making in our community.

The Township of Southwold adopted By-Law 2021-68 on November 15, 2021; and was approved by the County of Elgin on February 22, 2022.

After reviewing the Official Plan for your property, if the use, building, or structure that you are proposing is not permitted, you will require an Official Plan amendment. You must fill out an Official Plan amendment application.

The application is to be submitted to the Municipal Planner. If you have any questions, please contact us by email or by calling 519-769-2010.

Site plans ensure that development proceeds as approved and to minimize impacts. It is a detailed plan of development that shows the location of building, services, driveways, walkways, parking, landscaping, etc., and how these relate to the surrounding land uses. Contact the Municipal Planner to determine if your proposed development requires site plan approval.

Please refer to Site Plan Control Area By-law, for more information. Planning pre-application consultation is required prior to application(s) submission with the Township and other applicable agencies.

The application is to be submitted to the Municipal Planner. If you have any questions while completing this application, please contact us by email or by calling 519-769-2010.

Site Plan Application Form

The Township of Southwold Zoning By-Law regulates the use of land, buildings and structures and the general use of property. It also protects environmentally and ecologically sensitive lands, natural heritage features and lands impacted by development.

The Township of Southwold enacted By-Law 2011-14 on February 14, 2011; and came into full force and effect when the 2011 Official Plan was approved by the Province of Ontario on November 1, 2013.

View the Zoning By-Law Text.

View our Township Zoning By-law Maps.

In addition to the link above, zoning can be accessed through Elgin Mapping, an online interactive mapping service. 

After reviewing the zoning for your property, if the use, building or structure you are proposing is not permitted on your property, you will require a zoning by-law amendment.

The zoning by-law amendment application is to be submitted to the Planner.

Planning pre-application consultation is required prior to application(s) submission with the Township and other applicable agencies.  Please contact the Planner below.

At any time while you are completing the application, if you have any questions, please contact the Municipal Planner. 

Elgin County is the approval authority for plans of subdivisions and condominiums. More information about how to apply for a plan of subdivision is available on the County of Elgin's website. There is an application guide and form available there.

Planning pre-application consultation is required prior to application(s) submission with the Township and other applicable agencies.  Please contact the Planner below.

If you have any questions about planning and development of subdivisions and condominiums, please contact the Municipal Planner. 

There are other planning processes, including, but not limited to:

• Part Lot Control Exemption By-Laws
• Telecommunications Towers
• Deeming By-Laws

• Planning Act
• Provincial Policy Statement, 2020
• County of Elgin Official Plan
• Citizen's Guide to Land Use Planning