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

• Informs the public on what the province, county and municipality's general land use planning policies are;
• makes sure that growth is coordinated and meets the community's needs;
• helps all members of the community understand how their land may be used now and in the future;
• helps decide where roads, parks, trails, and other services will be located;
• provides a framework for establishing municipal zoning by-laws to set local regulations and standards, such as the size of lots, or development setbacks from water or gravel pits;
• provides a way to evaluate and settle conflicting land uses while meeting local, regional, and provincial interests; and,
• shows Council's commitment to the sustainable future of the community.

The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley has developed a geographical information system (GIS) map to help residents and business owners find out the Official Plan status of properties within the Municipality. Click on the button below to view the interactive map.

Official Plan Map

If you want to use your property or develop it in a way that conflicts with the Township’s official plan, an amendment to the plan would be needed

Before you apply for an Official Plan Amendment, you should talk to Township staff for advice and information. You must complete an application form which identifies information required by the County and the Township.

When submitting a Minor Variance application include a site plan or survey with the required information as outlined on page 7 of the Minor Variance application. 

The Application fee is $800. The fee may be paid by cash, cheque, debit or upon request by E-transfer. Cheques should be made payable to “Drummond/North Elmsley Twp”

Application has been submitted 
Once the Minor Variance application has been submitted and the application fee paid, the Township’s Planner will review the application. The Planner will set a public meeting date for the Committee of Adjustment to consider the application.

Next, the application must be circulated to other Township departments and outside agencies such as conservation authorities, health unit, etc. Notice of the public meeting regarding the application will be mailed to all property owners within 60 meters of the subject lands. Following the circulation period, all correspondence will be reviewed, and the Township Planner will determine if the proposal meets all requirements and prepare a report for the Committee of Adjustment.  The Committee of Adjustment will then decide to approve, approve with conditions, or not approve the application.

Committee of Adjustment Meeting

At the Committee of Adjustment meeting, the Township Planner will present the report regarding the Minor Variance application. Other individuals or agencies are also permitted to voice their support or objection to the application. The Committee will consider all information for or against the application and will make a verbal decision in the presence of all interested parties at the time of the Public Meeting. Approval of the application may be subject to such conditions and/or restrictions as the Committee deems appropriate. If an individual wishes to receive a copy of a committee decision their request must be in writing.

Applicant’s Role at the public meeting

The applicant or representative should be present at the public meeting. The applicant will be made aware if staff is recommending refusal of the application in advance of finalizing the staff recommendation report.

The applicant or representative will then have the opportunity to make a brief presentation (not a requirement). A copy of any digital presentation should be provided to Township staff before the meeting. The applicant or representative may be asked questions by the Committee regarding the application. 

After the Committee of Adjustment Meeting

After the Committee of Adjustment’s meeting, a written decision from the Committee will be sent to the applicant, agent and all persons who requested a copy of the decision, by mail, within ten days from the date of the hearing. The application will then be under a twenty-day appeal period from the date the decision is signed. Once the twenty days are up and no appeal has been filed, the decision of the Committee of Adjustment will become final and binding. 

Appeal Provisions

During the appeal period, any person having an interest in the application may file an appeal of the Committee's decision to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). The notice of appeal is filed with the Secretary-Treasurer of the Committee of Adjustment. The notice of appeal must be in writing and outline the reasons for the objection. A cheque in the amount of $125.00 payable to "The Minister of Finance" must be included with a notice of appeal. The notice of appeal, the fee and all required documents will be forwarded by the Secretary-Treasurer to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT).