Site Plan Control is a tool used by municipalities to regulate the design and technical aspects of a development. This process ensures that municipal standards are maintained and that development occurs in a manner that is safe, attractive, sustainable, and compatible with surrounding land uses.
Refer to our Site Plan Guidelines.
When site plan approval is needed
By-law No. 2011-112 makes all of Niagara Falls a Site Plan Control area.
You need site plan approval for:
- New Buildings: Industrial, commercial, institutional, mixed-use, and multi-residential projects. (Note: Under Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, residential developments with 10 or fewer units no longer require Site Plan Approval.)
- Major additions or changes: Expansions or alterations to existing industrial, commercial, institutional, mixed-use, and multi-residential buildings that significantly increase size or usability.
- Agricultural-related uses: Agri-tourism facilities, commercial farm markets, greenhouses, cannabis facilities, and permanent or mobile farm help houses.
To confirm if your project requires Site Plan Approval, contact the City’s Urban Designer/Landscape Architect in the Planning Department at 905-356-7521 ext. 4330 or planning@niagarafalls.ca.
How to apply for site plan approval
Step 1: Pre-consultation
It is recommended that you attend a pre-consultation meeting before applying. For details, visit our pre-consultation webpage or contact the City’s urban designer/Architect.
Step 2: Submit your application
Apply online through your City Dashboard Account and include:
- Completed application form (available through your dashboard account)
- A valid pre-consultation form or checklist.
- Site Plan with zoning chart/site statistics (see the City’s Site Plan Guidelines for detailed drawing requirements)
- Deed/PIN register
- Floor plans, building elevations, and landscape plan
- Site servicing, grading, stormwater management, and photometrics plans, SANDA and STMDA
- Digital .DWG file(s) of the site and servicing plans in accordance with Appendix B
- Supporting studies, plans, information, and materials in accordance with the pre-consultation form/checklist.
- All required fees paid to:
- Other forms and documentation listed on the application form (Appendices A and C-E)
How to post public notice signs about your application
It is the responsibility of the applicant to post a Public Notice Sign(s) about the Site Plan proposal. The sign must be installed following the City’s Public Notice Sign Policy, the Planning Act and any other City standards.
Site plan application - process and timelines
Site Plan Control Application
Time to Process (to decision): 60 Days
| Step | City's Role | Applicants Role | Target Timeline |
|---|
| Pre-consultation | City Staff, any required agencies and an applicant will review a preliminary development proposal, discuss the nature of the proposal, any development and planning issues, the need for additional information, and the planning approvals process. The City will provide the applicant a pre-consultation form/checklist identifying what approvals, studies, information, materials, and fees are required to proceed with a formal application. | Applicant completes pre-consultation process | 3 weeks |
|---|
| Application Submission | -- | Applicant submits:- formal application
- site plan package
- studies
| -- |
|---|
| - | Reviews files (i.e., names, unlocked status) | -- | 2 days |
| - | -- | Applicant pays required fees | 1 day |
| - | Urban Designer/Landscape Architect assigned to file. | -- | 1 day |
| Review for Completeness | Urban Designer/Landscape Architect reviews material issues notice of complete/incomplete application. | -- | 1 week |
|---|
| Circulation (When Complete) | Urban Designer/Landscape Architect circulates to internal departments and external agencies. Comments and draft plan conditions are consolidated and provided to Applicant. | -- | 2 weeks |
|---|
| Approval by General Manager of Planning, Building, and Development or Designate | Site plan drawings are signed (a) conditional approval or (b) final approval. If conditional approval, a memo outlining conditions of approval will be provided. | -- | 2 weeks |
|---|
| Final Approval | Urban Designer/Landscape Architect prepares Site Plan Agreement that may include conditions. | -- | 1 week |
|---|
| - | Legal Services finalizes draft Site Plan Agreement. | Applicant provides securities to Urban Designer/Landscape Architect. | 1 week |
| - | Legal Services sends Site Plan Agreement to Applicant’s lawyer and outlines deliverables required. | -- | 1 day |
| - | -- | Applicant provides 2 copies of executed Site Plan Agreement and required material to Legal Services (i.e., Solicitor’s Certificate, PIN record, registration fees). | -- |
| - | Legal Services has the agreement signed by the Mayor and Clerk. | -- | 1 day |
| - | Legal Services registers Site Plan Agreement on title. | -- | 1 day |
| - | Urban Designer/Landscape Architect notifies internal departments Site Plan Control complete. | -- | -- |
| Building Permit | -- | May apply for Building Permit. | -- |
|---|
| Site Inspections & Security Release | -- | The applicant notifies the urban designer/Landscape Architect once the works are complete for inspection and provides certification letters from their engineer and landscape architect. | -- |
|---|
| - | -- | If acceptable, security may be released. | 2 weeks |
