Category Archives: Planning and Building

Changes to the Development Charge By-law including rates are coming into effective March 2, 2020. The new rates will apply to all building permits issued after March 1, 2020. Continue reading 2020 Development Charge Rates (ICI)

Changes to the developments charge by-law including the rates are coming into effective March 2, 2020. The new rates will apply to all building permits issued after March 1, 2020.  Continue reading 2020 Development Charge Rates (Residential)

Starting in the new year, the City will require that all building permit applications and inspection requests be submitted electronically through the Building Services online portal. Continue reading Mandatory electronic building permit applications and inspections

The 2012 Building Code was recently amended to include a number of changes to the Code, Supplementary Standards and Appendix A. Continue reading 2020 Building Code changes

As of January 1, 2020, building permit applications and requests for inspections must be submitted electronically for residential, industrial, institutional and commercial buildings. Continue reading Electronic submissions required for all building permit applications starting January 1, 2020

Guelph approves new commercial built form standards to govern the design of commercial development outside the downtown core. Continue reading Council approves design standards for new commercial developments in Guelph

The City is bringing back the Guelph Urban Design Awards to celebrate design excellence and recognize thoughtful, innovative and sustainable urban design features that enhance our city’s unique sense of place. The awards were last held in 2006. Continue reading Celebrating design excellence in Guelph

We’re in the process of updating Guelph’s zoning bylaw, and we’re ready to share our recommendations for a new set of rules to help achieve our community’s vision for the future of our city. Continue reading Shaping a new zoning bylaw with your input

This month, the City will celebrate the long-awaited completion of the Wilson Street road improvements and the grand opening of the new Market Parkade. The new Norfolk Street pedestrian bridge will also open, and the Wilson Street public art project will be unveiled along with four new murals created as part of the Main Street Mural Project. All work was completed within planned budgets. Continue reading Market Parkade and Wilson Street improvements completed within budget and with sustainability in mind

Details about the current suspension of enforcement for driveways of semi-detached/duplex and on-street townhouses in Guelph. Continue reading Information about the driveway width enforcement suspension

Be heard on Bill 108. Submit your comments on the Bill’s regulations. On June 6, 2019, the Provincial Legislature passed Bill 108: More Homes, More Choice Act into law. Most of the concerns and proposed solutions expressed by municipalities and citizens were not reflected in the Act at the time of passing. We still have an opportunity to influence how this law is put into motion. The City will continue to work with ministries to design the rules, policies and related programs under Bill 108 as the regulations are being crafted. You can get involved by voicing your opinions on specific regulations during this consultation period. Background On May 2, 2019, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing released its More Homes, More Choice: Ontario’s… Continue reading Understanding Bill 108

On May 27, 2019, Guelph City Council passed a new Outdoor Swimming Pool and Hot Tub By-law No. (2019) – 20408 that features enhanced safety requirements for any new swimming pool or hot tub applications from May 27 onward.   Continue reading New Outdoor Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Bylaw with enhanced safety requirements

The Commercial Policy Review is focused on protecting, intensifying and reconfiguring commercial space in Guelph to better serve the community’s shopping and service needs. The Commercial Policy Review Discussion Paper presents draft options for amendments to the City’s Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw to implement the Commercial Policy Review Preferred Framework. The discussion paper presents options for: Designating two new Community Mixed-use Centres and a new Mixed-use Corridor Increasing floor space maximums for three Community Mixed-use Centres Establishing a new maximum gross floor area for Neighbourhood Commercial Centres Incorporating floor space minimums in Community Mixed-use Centres, Mixed-use Corridors and Neighbourhood Commercial Centres Providing Commercial Function Study policies to protect against the loss of existing and planned commercial space. Let us know what you think about these and other revisions. The discussion paper will be released Friday,… Continue reading Commercial Policy Review Discussion Paper

Smoke alarms are required on all floor levels, in all bedrooms throughout the entire house and in the hallway(s) outside of bedrooms.  All smoke alarms are required to be interconnected.  Existing smoke alarms are acceptable provided they are compatible with the new alarms and can be interconnected.  All smoke alarms shall have a strobe light signaling component. Continue reading Smoke alarm requirements for accessory apartments

Come to an information session to discuss Guelph’s Clair Maltby Secondary Plan March 28, 2019 7-9 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall 1 Carden Street, Guelph Continue reading Planning for growth while protecting the moraine, water resources and natural heritage resources

Guelph, Ont., March 7, 2019—On March 5, the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) issued an order resulting in the City’s Downtown Zoning Bylaw being in full force and effect. The LPAT decision upholds Council’s decision with minor modifications. The zoning bylaw is the set of rules the City uses to implement the Downtown Secondary Plan. These rules allow appropriate development in downtown Guelph. The Downtown Zoning Bylaw update was completed and approved by Council in 2017. The update modernizes the City’s approach to development in the downtown, aligning zoning regulations with the community’s vision for this area of Guelph as established by the Downtown Secondary Plan, 2012. The updated bylaw encourages downtown development, and supports an active, urban environment south of the CN rail line… Continue reading Downtown Zoning Bylaw in effect

Guelph City Council approve Development Charges Bylaw. New rates come into effect March 2, 2019. Continue reading Council approves Development Charges Bylaw

The Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan project is being completed in three phases: Phase 1 – Completing background studies – Complete Phase 2 – Developing a Preferred Community Structure – Complete Phase 3 – Preparing the Secondary Plan and Master Environmental Servicing Plan – Underway We launched phase 3 with the release of a draft Directions Consultation Document and a public workshop on December 4, 2018. We also provided an opportunity for online consultation from December 5, 2018 to January 9, 2019. When we launched phase 3, we expected to release the final version of the Directions Document at the end of January. We now expect to present the final Directions Document to Council in May. We’re taking this additional time to: Carefully review and consider the feedback… Continue reading Clair-Maltby project update: phase 3 timing

Please be advised that changes to the Development Charge By-law, including the rates, are scheduled for approval at the February 11, 2019 Council Meeting and would be effective March 2, 2019.

If approved, the new rates will apply to all building permits issued after March 1, 2019.  Therefore, respecting legislated building permit turnaround times of 10 business days, residential building permit applications are required to be submitted no later than February 14, 2019 in order to be eligible to receive the current rates. Continue reading 2019 Development Charge Rates (Residential)

Please be advised that changes to the Development Charge By-law, including the rates, are scheduled for approval at the February 11, 2019 Council Meeting and would be effective March 2, 2019.

If approved, the new rates will apply to all building permits issued after March 1, 2019.  Therefore, respecting legislated building permit turnaround times of 20 business days, all ICI building permit applications received after January 31, 2019 will be subject to the new rates. Continue reading 2019 Development Charge Rates (ICI)

Guelph City Council will hold a public meeting in accordance with the Planning Act to consider the following planning and development applications. The meeting will take place: February 11, 2019 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Carden Street, Guelph About the planning application 855 and 927 Victoria Road South (File: OZS18-007) — Wards 5 and 6 The subject lands are comprised of two separate parcels of land located at the north-west corner of Victoria Road South and MacAlister Boulevard. The northern parcel is municipally known as 855 Victoria Road South and is approximately 2.25 hectares in size and has approximately 204 metres of frontage along Victoria Road South. The southern parcel is municipally known as 927 Victoria Road South and is approximately 2.58 hectares in size and has… Continue reading Proposed development meeting: 855 and 927 Victoria Road South

The City is now accepting building permit applications for New Buildings, Additions and Renovations for Industrial, Commercial and Institutional projects through Building Services Online. Continue reading Electronic Submission of Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Building Permits

You’re invited to attend one of two drop-in workshops on January 15 as we gather community input to help shape the sustainability vision and goals for the Baker District redevelopment project. Continue reading Baker District workshop sets stage for vision, goals

At the end of 2018, the City will no longer collect damage deposit fees with building permit and swimming pool permit applications. Continue reading Damage Deposits

Proposed development charges remain competitive with rates in nearby cities, such as Kitchener and Cambridge.
Continue reading Guelph releases proposed Development Charges and background study

Starting January 1st, 2019 the City of Guelph, Building Services will be requiring Home Builders to submit all building permit applications electronically and book all inspections through Building Services Online. Continue reading Mandatory electronic permits and online inspections for home builders

In the matter of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter 0.18 in the city of Guelph, in the province of Ontario Take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Guelph has passed the following bylaws to designate portions of various properties as being of cultural heritage value or interest under section 29, Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter 0.18: By-law Number (2018–20344) to designate portions of the property known as 147 Delhi Street (Homewood Ancillary Landscape) dated at Guelph, Ontario, November 19, 2018. By-law Number (2018–20345) to designate portions of the property known as 148 Delhi Street (Riverslea Estate Landscape) dated at Guelph, Ontario, November 19, 2018. By-law Number (2018–20346) to designate portions of the property known as 150 Delhi Street (Homewood Therapeutic Landscape) dated at… Continue reading Notice of Passing of Designation Bylaws 147, 148, 150 Delhi Street (Homewood Cultural Heritage Landscapes), 221 and 229 Woolwich Street

Public meeting for planning applications Guelph City Council will hold a public meeting in accordance with the Planning Act to consider the following planning and development applications. The meeting will take place: December 10, 2018 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Carden Street, Guelph About the planning applications 1657 and 1665 Gordon Street (File: OZS18-003)—Ward 6 The subject lands are located on the west side of Gordon Street, south of the Gordon Street/Clairfields Drive West intersection. The subject lands are approximately 1.049 hectares in size with frontage along Gordon Street and Gosling Gardens. The purpose of the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment is to change the zoning from the “Residential Single Detached” (R.1B) Zone to a “Specialized Residential Cluster Townhouse” (R.3A-?) Zone to permit the development of 78 stacked townhouse units. The subject… Continue reading Proposed development meeting: 1657 and 1665 Gordon Street

Public meeting for planning applications Guelph City Council will hold a public meeting in accordance with the Planning Act to consider the following planning and development applications. The meeting will take place: December 10, 2018 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Carden Street, Guelph About the planning applications 50-52 Dean Avenue (File: OZS18-002)—Ward 5 The subject property is located on the south-east corner of Dean Avenue and Caledonia Street and is approximately 617 square metres in size. The purpose of the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment is to change the zoning from the “Residential Single Detached” (R.1B) Zone to a “Specialized Semi-Detached/Duplex” (R.2-?) Zone to recognize the existing semi-detached dwelling. The planner to contact for this application Abby Watts, Development Planner 519-837-5616 x 3314 abby.watts@guelph.ca Speak at the meeting or provide… Continue reading Proposed development meeting: 50-52 Dean Avenue

Public meeting for planning applications Guelph City Council will hold a public meeting in accordance with the Planning Act to consider the following planning and development applications. The meeting will take place: December 10, 2018 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Carden Street, Guelph About the planning applications 361 Whitelaw Road (File: OZS18-005)—Ward 4 The subject site is approximately 7 hectares in size and is located at the south-west corner of Paisley Road and Whitelaw Road. Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments are proposed to permit the development of the site as a high density residential area. The developer proposes to divide the site into three distinct areas. The northern portion of the site closest to Paisley Road is proposed to have 5 apartment buildings, 8-10 storeys high with… Continue reading Proposed development meeting: 361 Whitelaw Road

Public meeting for planning applications Guelph City Council will hold a public meeting in accordance with the Planning Act to consider the following planning and development applications. The meeting will take place: December 10, 2018 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Carden Street, Guelph About the planning applications 127 Cityview Drive North (File: OZS18-006)—Ward 1 The subject property is located on the east side of Cityview Drive North between Lee Street and Cedarvale Avenue. William C. Winegard Public School is located directly behind the subject property. A Zoning By-law Amendment is proposed to rezone the subject lands from the current UR (Urban Reserve) Zone to a specialized R.1C-? (Single Detached Residential) Zone to permit the development of two single detached dwellings. A future consent for severance application will be… Continue reading Proposed development meeting: 127 Cityview Drive North

Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan and Master Environmental Servicing Plan Tuesday, December 4 1:30–4 p.m. or 6:30–9 p.m. Salvation Army Guelph Citadel 1320 Gordon Street, Guelph Join us for focused conversations and a discussion to help establish and refine the policy directions that will inform the creation of the secondary plan for the Clair-Maltby area. A Draft Policy Directions report will be available no later than Monday, November 26 on guelph.ca/clair-maltby. This draft report will summarize key draft directions for future policies based on what we’ve heard through the project so far. Your input, ideas and comments at the public workshop will inform the final Policy Directions report. Register to participate Register to attend either the 1:30 to 4 p.m. or 6:30 to 9 p.m. session by Thursday, November 29. Registration is free. Unable to attend?… Continue reading Clair-Maltby Public Workshop: Policy Directions

Current suspension of enforcement continues during procedure development Guelph, Ont., September, 11, 2018–Last night, Guelph City Council approved the development of a new procedure to allow groups of residents to apply for temporary enforcement suspensions of driveway width infractions in their neighbourhood. “While the procedure is developed, the City will continue to enforce Zoning Bylaw (1995) – 14864 regulations related to driveway widths and issue notifications of illegal driveways, but we won’t issue charges for residential homes classified as semi-detached/duplex and on-street townhouses,” says Rob Reynen, chief building official for the City. “The specific restrictions and conditions for suspended enforcement, including the additional criteria defined by Council, are now posted in detail on the City’s website.” Procedure development The procedure for temporary driveway enforcement suspensions… Continue reading City to develop application for temporary driveway enforcement suspensions

Attention: Home Builders and Residential Contractors Please be advised of the following change for all accessory apartment building permit applications made after September 1st, 2018. This will apply to all homes, regardless of age, where the HVAC system is shared between the two units. Building Services will be requiring the installation of a duct type smoke detector in the supply or return air ducts which would turn off the fuel supply and electrical power to the HVAC system upon activation of the detector. An alternative to a duct type smoke detector is to have smoke alarms connected to a relay switch on the furnace or air handling system to shut down the circulation fan upon activation of the smoke alarms. This change is being made… Continue reading Accessory Apartments- Duct Type Smoke Detectors

Attention: Homebuilders, architects, engineers, industrial, commercial and institutional Contractors Please be advised of the following changes to bulk water meter construction and installation requirements and restrictions for residential developments (including rental apartment buildings and cluster townhouse sites) and industrial, commercial and institutional developments. The following is offered in complement to Water Services’ May 2, 2018 “Changes to Water Metering Requirements for New Developments – effective July 1, 2018” notice. The respective terms of this notice will take precedent over contents of past notices and form policy and business requirements for all applicable building permits effective immediately; Planned servicing to such properties will be required to provide sufficient space for a single bulk water revenue meter, to measure all water fed to the entire private water… Continue reading Changes to bulk City water revenue meter installation standards

Further to the Public Meeting held on June 11, 2018, Guelph City Council will consider the City initiated Official Plan Amendment (OPA) No. 66 for Affordable Housing at an upcoming Council meeting. The meeting will take place: Monday, September 10 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall 1 Carden Street, Guelph About the affordable housing proposed Official Plan Amendment No. 66 Purpose and effect of the proposed OPA No. 66 The purpose and effect of the proposed OPA is to update the affordable housing policies in the Official Plan in accordance with the Council approved Affordable Housing Strategy (2017). The OPA would amend Section 7.2 of the Official Plan to update the affordable housing targets, including removing the separate policy encouraging the creation of approximately 90 accessory apartment units. The policies would also be updated… Continue reading Notice of decision meeting: Proposed Official Plan Amendment No. 66—Affordable Housing

Attention:  Home Builder As per information conveyed previously, the City will not be arranging nor paying for the mandatory radon testing of new homes built in accordance with radon compliance option #1  this coming winter. This affects all new homes in which occupancy was granted after January 31, 2018 and approximately 16 homes which failed to deploy the testing kits last winter. As the permit holder, it will be your responsibility to ensure the radon test is conducted through a certified laboratory and submitted to the City for all homes in which radon option #1 has been chosen. In early November, we will provide a list of homes requiring mandatory testing in which occupancy was granted after January 31, 2018, as well as the homes… Continue reading Radon testing of new homes – Mandatory Testing

Guelph, Ont., July 12, 2018 – On Monday evening City Council approved an update to the City’s Brownfield Redevelopment Community Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP provides financial incentives to help offset the cost of environmental investigation and clean-up of brownfield sites. The CIP update includes changes to the program to make it easier to access funding. The improvements include: an increase in the environmental study grant maximum from $15,000 to $30,000 per study; clarification of the grant program requirements that will ease the application process for both staff and proponents; and an extension of the timeframe for CIP programs for another five years. “The cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites have a number of benefits for the community,” says Tim Donegani, policy planner. “Investment in… Continue reading City approves financial incentive program for brownfield redevelopment

Guelph, Ont., June 19, 2018 – The community has selected the final design for the Ward to Downtown Bridge. Option one, featuring a bench, wide deck for river viewing, and a lookout area was voted as the favourite design option. “We’re very excited to see this project come to life,” says Luke Jefferson, manager of Open Space Planning with the City of Guelph. “Our community has waited a long time for a safe and vibrant bridge that connects one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods with the downtown.” Three designs were presented at a community open house on April 12, 2018 and 37 residents filled out a survey in person and online to select their favourite option. Option one was the most popular, with over 60… Continue reading Final design selected for the Ward to Downtown Bridge

Guelph, Ont., June 8, 2018—Thinking of starting a renovation or building project at home? The City has just made that process a little easier for you. You can apply for a building permit, submit and receive drawings and book inspections and track your permit’s status using an online tool from the comfort of home or the office. While we’re happy to see and help you at City Hall, you don’t have to make the trip downtown; the choice is yours. Simply create your free account at https://gpas.guelph.ca and get started. Still want to bring in hard copies? That’s okay. We’re still accepting hard copies of drawings at City Hall as we work towards electronic submissions either online or in person on a USB key at… Continue reading Enhanced online system makes it easy to apply for a building permit

Attention:  Sign companies In order to improve safety and facilitate improved turnaround times relating to the permanent signs, the following changes will come into effect July 1, 2018: Permits for freestanding signs over 1.8m above ground level will be required to be designed and reviewed by a professional engineer. Permits for projecting building signs (including addresses) weighing more than 25kg will be required to be designed and reviewed by a professional engineer. In addition to the “Application for a Permit to Construct”, a “Sign permit details – Permanent Signs” will also be required to be submitted with all permanent sign permit applications. For your convenience, these forms are available online together as part of a new “Permanent sign application package” at guelph.ca/signs. Permits relating to… Continue reading Changes to permanent sign program

On June 1, 2018, Building Inspectors will no longer leave field reports on site Continue reading Emailing of Inspection Reports

This notice provides supplementary information to the Building Services and Water Servicesnotice released on February 12, 2018. Continue reading Changes to water metering requirements for new developments, part 2 – effective July 1, 2018

Guelph, Ont., April 25, 2018­—Have you ever wondered what development is planned or being requested for your neighbourhood? Check out the City’s Current Development Application map to see applications under review for Official Plan, Zoning Bylaw amendments and plans of subdivision. This new interactive map lets you find out more about  active development applications and links to detailed information such as background studies, public notices and Council reports and links to Planning staff contacts to answer questions or to get involved in the public planning process. The map will be updated as applications progress. If you don’t see something you’re looking for please contact Development Planning by phone at 519-837-5616 or email at planning@guelph.ca. For more information Development Planning 519-837-5616 planning@guelph.ca

Have your say between until May 3 The next phase of the Parkland Dedication Bylaw review is underway. We invite you to read the draft Parkland Dedication Bylaw and provide comments. The Parkland Dedication Bylaw requires developers to either transfer land to the City to be used as parkland or offer payment in lieu of the land. This bylaw is the City’s way of making sure that as Guelph grows, our parks and open spaces grow with it. Your feedback will help staff develop the final draft bylaw that will go to Council in summer 2018. You can mail or email your comments to Jyoti Pathak, Park Planner with the City of Guelph. Read the draft bylaw For information on the Parkland Dedication Bylaw review,… Continue reading The draft Parkland Dedication Bylaw is now ready for review

Public meeting for planning application Guelph City Council will hold a public meeting in accordance with the Planning Act to consider the following planning and development application. The meeting will take place: Monday, May 14 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Carden Street About the planning application 233-237 Janefield Avenue (File: OP1702 and ZC1702) – Ward 5 The subject site is 1.1 hectares in size and is located on the south side of Janefield Avenue between Torch Lane and Scottsdale Drive. This application has been revised. An Official Plan amendment is proposed to redesignate the medium density residential portion of the site to high density residential. A Zoning Bylaw amendment is proposed from the existing R.4A-1 (Specialized Apartment Residential) Zone and SC.1-4 (Specialized Service Commercial) Zone to an R.4B (High Density… Continue reading Proposed development meeting: 233-237 Janefield Avenue 

Public meeting for planning application Guelph City Council will hold a public meeting in accordance with the Planning Act to consider the following planning and development application. The meeting will take place: Monday, May 14 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Carden Street About the planning application 300 Water Street (File: OP1707 and ZC1712) – Ward 5 The subject property is located on the southwest corner of Water Street and Denver Road. The  property is approximately 0.2 hectares in size and has an exterior frontage of approximately 63.6 metres along Water Street and a frontage of approximately 57.3 metres along Denver Road. The purpose of the Official Plan Amendment is to re-designate the property to the “Low Density Residential” land use designation and add a site-specific policy. The purpose… Continue reading Proposed development meeting: 300 Water Street

Urban design concepts for Gordon Street also endorsed by Council Guelph, Ont., April 10, 2018—Last night Council approved new built-form standards for mid-rise building and townhouses. The standards are part of the City’s Urban Design Manual and provide clear direction on the design  of new residential and mixed-use mid-rise (four to six storeys) and townhouse (cluster, stacked and street-oriented) developments in Guelph. The standards address how a site will function  and be designed to implement the vision established in the City’s Official Plan. The document also provides recommendations for a future zoning bylaw review. “These new standards provide a thoughtful and consistent approach to evaluating building design while allowing for innovation and supporting design excellence,” says David de Groot, Senior Urban Designer. “The standards will… Continue reading Council approves new design standards for Guelph

An appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) on a site-specific land use designation in the City of Guelph’s official plan amendment has been withdrawn after a settlement agreement was reached. The site under appeal, commonly known as the Niska Lands, is owned by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA). Continue reading City settles outstanding land use appeal on official plan amendment

Public meeting for planning applications Guelph City Council will hold a public meeting in accordance with the Planning Act to consider the following planning and development application. The meeting will take place: Monday, April 9 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Carden Street, Guelph About the planning application 671 Victoria Road North (File: ZC1606)—Ward 2 The subject site is 1.25 hectares in size and is located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Victoria Road North and Wideman Boulevard. A revised Zoning Bylaw Amendment is proposed to rezone the existing NC-9 (Specialized Neighbourhood Shopping Centre) Zone to an R.3A-? (Specialized Cluster Townhouse Residential) Zone to permit the development of 31 cluster townhouse units together with a small commercial plaza. The planner to contact for this application: Katie Nasswetter,… Continue reading Proposed development meeting: 671 Victoria Road North