Severances and Subdivisions

The indiscriminate division of land without anyone’s approval could have a long-term, negative impact on your community. For example, it could result in the over-extension of municipal services, such as snow plowing, school busing and garbage collection. Or it might result in damage to the natural environment because lots are too small to accommodate adequate sewage disposal systems. 

Official approval is required to ensure that:

• land severances are considered within an established community planning framework
• new lots and new land uses do not conflict with the overall future planning goals and policies of your community
• Consideration is given to the effects of the division of land on the site, on the neighbours and on the community as a whole.

The County of Lanark was given approval authority for consents (severances) in June 1973. This task is handled by a Land Division Committee who meet monthly. 

Before you apply for a land severance, you must complete the pre-consultation with the Township’s Planner. They will be able to tell you how to apply, what supporting material you must submit (e.g. sketches, plans) if there are any special land severance requirements set out in the Official Plan and what other permits and approvals may be required.

The Township’s pre-consultation fee is $475 for the first lot and $200 for each additional lot. The fee may be paid by cash, cheque, or debit. Cheques should be made payable to “Drummond/North Elmsley Twp”

Further information and application forms are available on the Lanark County website.

In considering each application for land severance, the proposal is evaluated against criteria such as:

• conformity with the Official Plan and compatibility with adjacent uses of land
• compliance with local zoning by-laws
• suitability of the land for the proposed purpose, including the size and shape of the lot(s) being created
• adequacy of vehicular access, water supply, sewage disposal
• the need to ensure protection from potential flooding, etc.

The application is reviewed by the Lanark County Land Division Committee with comments received from The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley, the applicable Conservation Authority, the Township’s Septic Department, and the public.

A severance approval may have certain conditions attached to it including requirements for road widening, parkland dedication, or a rezoning (or minor variance) to allow a new land use. In addition, the property owner may be required to enter into an agreement with the municipality to provide future services or facilities. Severance conditions must be met within two years.

When all the conditions have been met by the applicant, a certificate is issued by Lanark County, and the severance goes into effect after it has been registered in the Land Registry Office. 

• Lanark County Consent Application
• Lanark County Subdivision Application Form
•  Citizen's Guide to Land Use Planning
• Minimum Distance Separation - Data Sheet