Minor Variances

You may need a minor variance if your project (new construction, additions, renovations, or lot changes) doesn’t follow the City’s Zoning By-law. Examples include relief from Zoning regulations for building height, setbacks, lot coverage, lot frontage or lot area.

You also need permission to expand, enlarge or change a legal non-conforming use. A legal non-conforming occurs when the use of an existing lot, building or structure is not permitted under the current Zoning By-law but was permitted under a previous Zoning By-law.

Step 1: Speak to Planning staff

While a pre-consultation meeting is not required, it’s a good idea to talk to a City Planner, the Secretary-Treasurer to the Committee of Adjustment, or any relevant agencies before applying.

Step 2: Submit your application

Apply online through your City Dashboard Account and include:

• Sketch/site plan (view the requirements on this page)
• Deed/PIN page
• A completed Owner Authorization Form (available in the portal)
• Supporting studies, plans, information, and materials, as requested or required by staff and agencies
  • Consult the City’s Development Guides
  • Follow the file format and naming guide
• All required fees paid to:
  
  • City of Niagara Falls - Check the Schedule of Fees
  • Niagara Region (if applicable)
  • Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (if applicable)

Step 3: Attend the hearing - important dates

Your application will be reviewed at a Committee of Adjustment Hearing. The public can attend and share comments. You or your agent must be present to answer questions. Check the Committee of Adjustment webpage for submission deadlines and hearing dates.

Sketch/site plan requirements

All submissions must be drawn to scale in metric, showing all of the
following:

• The boundaries and dimensions of the subject land
• The location, size, and type of all existing and proposed buildings and structures on the subject land
• The distance of the buildings or structures from:
  • Front yard lot line
  • Rear yard lot line
  • Side yard lot line
• Dimensions between buildings and structures to property lines
• Number of storeys and height of buildings
• Parking spaces and maneuvering aisles - Properly sized and spaces numbered
• Sidewalk and curb locations
• Scale of plan
• North arrow
• Street names
• Driveway locations with dimensions for length and width
• Tree locations
• Building coverage (% of lot area)
• Landscaped area (% of lot area)
• Existing uses of abutting properties
• Location of all natural and artificial feature’s location on the subject land and adjacent land that may affect the application
• Location of septic system and well
• Location, width, centreline, and name of any roads within or abutting the subject land
• If water access, the location of parking and the docking facility
• Location and nature of any easements