What Municipal Approvals will I Need to Build My Project? Can an Architect Help?
by Eric Connolly, B.Arch, Envir. Studies, MOAA, MRAIC
There is a large public misunderstanding with respect to obtaining "Approval" to proceed with a Building Project.
It is important to understand that "Approval" entails two distinct but related issues. One involves "Land Use" issues and the other involves "Building Permit" issues. A Client, with best of intentions, may pursue answers to one set of issues but will NOT be aware of the need to resolve the other set of potential issues.
Land Use issues deal with Zoning By-laws as set out by the Municipality and Planning Law as set out by the Municipality, the Region or the Province. In this case "Approval" includes meeting the municipal Zoning By-laws and Planning Law requirements and may also include meeting the requirements of Conservation Authorities, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Mineral, Mines and Resources, the Ministry of Health and others.
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