Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content

District Municipality of Muskoka Logo District of Muskoka Print Logo

Contact UsContact Us
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Categories
    • Airport
    • Area Municipalities
    • Business, Planning & Development
    • Careers and Volunteering
    • Children and Seniors
    • Community Services and Support
    • Council
    • EnviroHub
    • Finance and Administration
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Health and Emergency Services
    • Housing
    • OPP Detachment Boards
    • Provincial Offences Court
    • Roads and Transportation
    • Water and Sewer
    • Feedback and Engagement
    • News and Public Notices

a grassy field fading into development plans

Land Development and Applications

HomeBusiness, Planning & DevelopmentLand Development and Applications
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email this page Email
 
 

Are You Planning to Develop Property? Start Here...

Depending on the nature of the development you are proposing, an application may need to be submitted to either your Area Municipal office or the District's office.  Planning staff are available to answer any questions about your proposal and we encourage you to speak with them prior to submitting an application.  Learn more about Muskoka's six Area Municipalities at the following link: Muskoka's Area Municipalities 

The District of Muskoka utilizes PlanHub for all Planning Application submission and tracking. 

Topics, Process and Requirements for a Variety of Development Options

Planning Notices
Notice of Public Meeting

Notice of Public Meeting and Open House - OPA 63 (Growth Strategy) 

Notice of Decision

Notice of Decision - C2024-006 (Gouldie Street Condominiums)

Notice of Complete Application

Notice of Complete Application - C2024-004 OBD Trailside

Notice of Complete Application - OPA 60 - Muskoka Bay Residences Corp. Condo II

Notice of Complete Application - S2025-001 & C2025-001 Clarkes Lane Subdivision 

Notice of Complete Application - OPA 64 (Grandview Village)

Notice of Open House
Notice of Public Meeting and Open House - OPA 63 (Growth Strategy)
Dividing Land/Property/Ownership
Plans of Subdivision

The creation of several lots requires the approval of a Plan of Subdivision by the District. Applicants are strongly encouraged to pre-consult with District staff prior to the submission of an application (links to BY-LAW NO. 2024-49).

To set up a pre-consultation meeting regarding your proposal or for more information regarding these types of planning applications, please contact the District's Planning Team at 705-645-2100 ext. 4259 or via email.

The MMAH Land Use Planning: Subdivisions website is also a great reference tool for more general information.

Condominium Descriptions

When dividing the ownership interests in a property or building, the District approval of a Condominium Description is required.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to pre-consult with District staff prior to the submission of an application (links to BY-LAW NO. 2024-49).

To set up a pre-consultation meeting regarding your proposal or for more information regarding these types of planning applications, please contact the District's Planning Team at 705-645-2100 ext. 4259 or via email.
Subdivision and Condominium Forms and Fees By-law
  • Current District of Muskoka Planning Application Fees By-law
  • Digital Submissions Requirements
  • Pre-Consultation and Complete Applications By-law 2024-49
Part Lot Control

The District is the approval authority for Part Lot Control applications. Part Lot control is a method for further division of a lot or block within a plan of subdivision so that it can be held in separate ownership.

Applications for the further division of a lot or block in a plan of subdivision by way of the Part Lot Control process are submitted to the Area Municipality in which the plan is located.

Once the Area Municipality passes the Part Lot Control By-law, it is then sent to the District for approval. Applicants are encouraged to pre-consult with District staff prior to the submission of an application.

To set up a pre-consultation meeting regarding your proposal or for more information regarding these types of planning applications (see BY-LAW NO. 2024-49), please contact the District's Planning Team at 705-645-2100 ext. 4259 or via email.
Severance/Consents/Right of Way/Easements/Lot Additions

If you are thinking about dividing your land into two or more parcels, adding land to an abutting property, or dividing ownership interests, approval is required from either an Area Municipality or the District.

A land severance is the authorized separation of a piece of land to form a new lot or a new parcel of land. This is commonly known as consent.

While the Area Municipal Official Plans and Zoning By-laws are the main documents that govern land division by consent, there are a number of District interests that may need to be considered as part of an application. Contact District Planning staff for more information.

 
Other Approvals
Depending on the nature and location of the project, certain other approvals may be required from the District. For example, if the land fronts onto a District Road, a road entrance permit application for a new or upgraded road entrance may be required. 

In addition, if the project is located within one of Muskoka's Urban Centres, the development must generally be connected to municipal piped water and wastewater services. To connect to these services, a water and sewer connection permit application must be obtained.

Muskoka's Urban Centres

  • Bracebridge
  • Gravenhurst
  • Huntsville
  • Hidden Valley
  • Port Carling
  • Bala
  • Port Severn
  • MacTier
  • Baysville
Construction and Zoning
Your ability to establish a new use or business on your land, or make an improvement to one or more of your buildings or your property depends on how the Area Municipality's zoning by-law applies to your land.

A zoning by-law controls the use of land in your Area Municipality.  It states exactly:

  • How land may be used
  • Where buildings and other structures can be located
  • The types of buildings that are permitted and how they may be used
  • The lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights and setbacks from the street

You should start your project planning by meeting with the Planning /Building department staff of your Area Municipality to determine how the zoning by-law applies to your land.  They will also tell you which Area Municipal permits and approvals are necessary - as well as the related fees and timeframes.  

If the Area Municipality's planning documents (by-laws, official plan, etc.) permit what you are proposing to do, the project may simply involve obtaining a development and/or building permit.  However, if this is not the case, you may need to apply for a zoning by-law amendment. 

For more information on the applicable zoning by-law or the zoning by-law amendment process please contact the respective Area Municipality or visit the MMAH Land Use Planning: Zoning-Bylaws for more general information. 

Development Application Forms (Zoning By-law Amendment) are available through your Area Municipality.

Where Can I Find Zoning Information?

Contact your respective Area Municipality for zoning information. For contact information for Muskoka's six Area Municipalities please visit the following link: Muskoka's Area Municipalities

You can also view zoning information for Muskoka on Muskoka's web mapping portal: Muskoka GeoHub.
Muskoka PlanHub 

PlanHub is the District’s online planning application submission and tracking portal. PlanHub provides access to all District level planning applications including: 

  • Pre-Consultation  
  • Amendment to Draft Approved Plan of Subdivision - Condominium Description Form 
  • Condominium Application Form 
  • District OPA Application Form 
  • Part Lot Control Approval Application Form 
  • Subdivision and Condominium Extension Application Form 
  • Subdivision Application Form 

Through PlanHub you will submit your Planning Application to District staff, you can also track the status of your submission. PlanHub will; 

  • Give public users access to their projects on their phones, tablets, and computers at any time from any browser.  
  • Improved efficiency, ease of use, and convenience for applicants. 
  • Enhanced communication across the internal departments that are responsible for reviewing various applications. 

Once your application has been submitted, please contact the Planning Department to arrange the collection of application fees. 

For more information, please refer to our fees and charges by-law.

Muskoka PlanHub project was funded by The Rural Economic Program of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the District of Muskoka. 

Ready to Submit Your Application

Launch PlanHub

PlanHub Dashboard

The PlanHub Dashboard is an interactive hub that provides insight on development in Muskoka.

Features of the Dashboard include: 

  • The ability to view planning applications in Muskoka that require District approval or commenting. 
  • Quick information on application numbers and application type percentages.  
  • Filter the applications by application number, type, status, municipality, and date. 
  • The tools associated with the map allows users to interact with and identify applications in their area of interest. 

PlanHub Dashboard

D-4 Assessments

A D-4 assessment is a report that is completed by a Qualified Professional under the Environmental Protection Act in order to determine if there will be any negative impacts to persons and/or property within a potential influence area of an operating or non-operating waste disposal site, as required by the Province’s D-4 Guideline: Land Use On or Near Landfills and Dumps. Learn more about D-4 Assessments below:

D-4 Guideline Information Sheet

D-4 Guideline FAQ's

Waste Facility Locations
Development Charges 
All new development may be subject to development fees and charges, in accordance with the District and Area Municipal Development Charges By-Laws. 
 Terms of Reference 

Terms of Reference are provided to aid in preparation of development application supporting documents and studies. 

  • Planning Justification Report
  • Environmental Impact Study
  • Traffic Impact Study
  • Hydrogeological Study
  • Archaeological Assessment
  • Noise and Vibration Study
  • Geotechnical Study
  • Functional Servicing Report
  • Stormwater Management Report
Subscribe to page updates
Business, Planning & Development
    • Area Municipalities
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Economic Development
      • District Profile
      • Plans, Studies and Reports
    • Land Development and Applications
    • Land Use Planning and Policies
    • Maps
    • Participate in Planning
    • Programs for Developers and Builders
    • Second Home Study

Contact Us

District Municipality of Muskoka footer logo

Contact Us

The District Municipality of Muskoka

70 Pine Street
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1N3

Phone: 705-645-2100
Fax: 705-645-5319

  • Quick Links

    • Accessibility
    • Freedom of Information and Privacy
    • Terms of Use
    • Sitemap
    • Website Feedback
    • SIMON
  • Connect with Us

View our Facebook Page Facebook View our Twitter Page Twitter View our YouTube Page YouTube View our LinkedIn Page LinkedIn

© Copyright 2021 The District Municipality of Muskoka

By GHD Digital

Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.