Zoning Compliance Certificate
What is a Zoning Compliance Certificate?
A Zoning Compliance Certificate is issued by the City of Niagara Falls to confirm that a proposed development (i.e., new construction or addition) meets the regulations of the City’s Zoning By-law.
When is a Zoning Compliance Certificate Required?
As of January 6, 2025, we have updated our Zoning Compliance process to help expedite your building permit application! Zoning compliance will now be reviewed simultaneously with your building permit application. Our zoning reviewers will use your required building permit documents—such as site plans, floor plans, and elevations—to process the zoning portion of your application. Please note that the Zoning Compliance fee is still applicable, however there is no separate application required and zoning review will happen concurrently with your Building Permit application.
For those who prefer to confirm that their project meets zoning requirements before applying for a Building Permit, the option to complete a Zoning Compliance Certificate (ZCC) upfront remains available. To apply for a zoning compliance certificate, you can submit an application through our CityView Portal. Please see below for further information.
Applying for a Zoning Compliance Certificate
Application Submission Requirements:
- Site Plan
- Architectural Drawings (including floor plans)
- All required application fees to the City of Niagara Falls
Zoning Compliance Certificate Process
Zoning Compliance Certificate Application
Time to Process Application: 7 Days
| Step | City's Role | Applicants Role | Target Timeline |
|---|
| Application Submission | -- | Submits:- site plan
- architectural plans
- floor plans
| -- |
|---|
| - | Reviews files (i.e., names, unlocked status) | -- | 2 days |
| - | -- | Pays required fees |
| - | Assigned to Zoning Reviewer. | -- | -- |
| Review for Completeness | Zoning Reviewer reviews for completeness. | -- | 1 day |
|---|
| Zoning Review (once complete) | Zoning Reviewer reviews submission for zoning compliance. | -- | 4 days |
|---|
| Zoning Compliance Certificate and Stamped Plans | If acceptable, Zoning Compliance Form with authorization signature and Zoning Compliance Stamp on approved stamps. | -- | -- |
|---|
