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Planning and Development Services Start the Planning Process Development Applications Application Submission Planning Resources Planning Process Terms and Definitions Planning and Development Newsletter
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Planning & Development Applications

Under the Planning Act the Planning and Development Services Department is responsible for reviewing, processing and making recommendations on planning applications submitted to the Town of Ajax.

A series of Citizens’ Guides has been prepared by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Ministry of Housing to assist with understanding how the land use planning process works in Ontario.

A yellow digger is parked near several small piles of earth marked with stakes on a gravelled lot.

Planning and Development Services

Planning and Development Services is responsible for the urban planning, development, building and engineering of Ajax.

Planning Services

The Planning Section is responsible for development review and approval, long range and policy planning, urban design and project management. Specific responsibilities include:

The Policy Planning Division is responsible for the preparation and review of the Town’s primary planning documents including the Official Plan and the Zoning By-law. Policy Planning includes community consultation, research, policy formulation, heritage planning and monitoring of planning activities outside of the Town that have an implication on Ajax’s interests, and providing evidence on appeals before the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Building Approvals

The Building Approvals Section is responsible for building permit issuance, plans review and the inspection of all building construction throughout the Town.

  • Implementation of Building Code Act
  • Administration of Ontario Building Code
  • Processing of Building & Demolition Permit Applications
  • Review of Construction Drawings & Specifications
  • Building Permit Issuance
  • Site Inspection of Building Construction
  • Enforcement of the Building Code Act
  • Representation at Building Code Commission Hearings
  • Attendance at Court Hearings & Trials
  • Collection of Development Charges

Start the Planning Process

Pre-Consultation

A pre-consultation (pre-con) meeting is an opportunity to meet with representatives from various Town departments such as Fire, Engineering, Planning, Building, and Economic Development who will each provide feedback on your initial site plans. Following the meeting, you will receive a copy of the minutes taken and a check list confirming what materials and information you need to include in your formal application.

When to Contact the Business Engagement and Support Team

It is recommended that you contact the Business Engagement and Supports Team as early as possible in your projects so that all efforts can be made to provide assistance in the process. Visit the business section of our website or email priority@ajax.ca.

Development Applications

The Development Approvals Division is responsible for the review and processing of all development applications currently before the Town of Ajax, including new residential, commercial and employment developments.

Development approvals staff review applications from the standpoint of official plan and zoning conformity, adherence to the Town of Ajax’s urban design, site planning and growth management objectives. The Town of Ajax permits and encourages development proponents to consult with the Town prior to submitting a development application. A meeting can be scheduled through the submission of a Pre-consultation application.

Application Forms

Please apply for a property information request through our online portal.

If this is your first time using the portal, please complete the registration process before selecting “Submit a Development-Related Application.”

For assistance, refer to the Property Information Request User Guide 

Application Submission

Digital Submission

The Town offers applicants the option to use the Town’s free and secure file transfer platform to submit plans, reports, and other supporting material for their development application(s) up to a maximum 2GB. This service is available by making a Large File Transfer Request. File transfers greater than 2GB will need to utilize other means such as using one’s own secure file transfer platform or a USB.

Submit Large File Transfer Request

Fees and Development Charges

Development Approvals Division is responsible for the review and processing of all development applications currently before the Town of Ajax, including new residential, commercial and employment developments. Development approvals staff review applications from the standpoint of official plan and zoning conformity, adherence to the Town of Ajax’s urban design, site planning and growth management objectives. The Town of Ajax permits and encourages development proponents to consult with the Town prior to submitting a development application. A meeting can be scheduled through the submission of a Pre-consultation application.

View Development Application Fees
View 2026 User Fees and Charges

Planning Application Dashboard

The Town’s Planning Application Dashboard makes it easy to explore planning applications in your community.

The dashboard includes:

  • A search tool where you can look up applications by property address, file number, proposed land use, type of application or year. Each result shows key details, related applications, milestones and downloadable documents such as submitted plans, notices, staff reports and by-laws.
  • An interactive map and tally that displays where applications are located and proposed units and floor area. You can filter by status, land use, application type or ward, and see dynamic charts and counts of applications, proposed units and floor space.
Access the Planning Application Dashboard
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Urban Design Guidelines

Design Guidelines are intended to promote high quality urban design by providing a clear understanding and examples of how urban design principles are to be incorporated through the development or redevelopment of properties and buildings within the Town of Ajax.

The design guidelines listed below will assist property owners in the preparation of development applications submitted to the Town.

Design Guidelines by Area

  • Employment Areas – The Town of Ajax Employment Areas Urban Design Guidelines were approved in 2006 and provides a clear understanding of the urban design criteria to be incorporated within development applications located within the Town’s Employment Areas.
  • Motor Vehicle Gas/Service Stations – The Town of Ajax Urban Design Guidelines for Motor Vehicle Gas Bars and Service Stations were approved in 2006 and provides a clear understanding of the urban design criteria to be incorporated within development applications proposing gas bars, service stations and associated uses, such as car washes, restaurants, convenience stores and drive-thru facilities.
  • Pickering Village – The Urban Design and Built Form Guidelines for Pickering Village were approved in 2008 and provides direction for development applications located within Pickering Village. The Guidelines are a companion document to support the Pickering Village Community Improvement Plan and the Pickering Village Heritage Conservation District Plan.

Planning Resources

Planning Policies and Guidelines

  • Engineering Design Criteria and Standard Drawings
  • Official Plan
  • Policy for Telecommunication Facilities
  • Pre-Consultation By-law
  • Site Plan Review Technical Guidelines
  • Zoning By-law

Building Permits and Related Information

Planning Process Terms and Definitions

Planning Terms

Pre-consultation meeting

A pre-consultation (pre-con) meeting is an opportunity to meet with representatives from various Town departments who will each provide feedback on your initial site plans. Following the meeting, you will receive a copy of the minutes taken and a check list confirming what materials and information you need to include in your formal application. Discussion with our pre-consultation team early-on could help to reduce costs and avoid delays in the latter stages of your project. In addition, early discussions will help staff to better understand the nature of your project so that it can be handled as efficiently as possible.

Zoning By-law

A zoning by-law controls the use of land in your community. It states exactly:

  • How land may be used;
  • Where buildings and other structures can be located;
  • The types of buildings that are permitted and how they may be used;
  • The lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights and setbacks from the street;

Zoning By-law Amendment

If you want to use or develop your property in a way that is not allowed by the zoning by-law, you may apply for a zoning change, also known as a zoning by-law amendment or a rezoning. Council can only consider a change if the new use is allowed by the Official Plan.

Site Plan

A site plan package includes architectural plans, and detailed engineering drawings of proposed layout and improvements to a given lot. A site plan shows a building footprint, building elevations, access routes, parking, grading, drainage facilities, sanitary sewer lines, water lines, trails, lighting, and landscaping.

Site Plan Approval

Site Plan Approval is the statutory process for reviewing the building size, location, design, access, services, parking, loading, and landscaping of proposed developments. Some projects may qualify for PriortyPATH, the town’s streamlined municipal process for site plan approvals. Contact us to see if you qualify!

Minor Variance

A Minor Variance provides approval for changes that do not fully comply with the Town’s zoning By-law. A Minor Variance will not change the Zoning By-law, it merely grants a variance from certain existing provisions/standards of the By-law, where appropriate.

Building Permit

The Building Approvals Section, responsible for enforcing the Ontario Building Code (OBC) in Ajax, issues permits for the construction, renovation, demolition and changes of use of buildings. A Building Permit is required for all construction work. This includes new construction, alterations to existing buildings, temporary structures (such as portables and trailers) and designated structures as defined under the OBC (such as exterior storage tanks, retaining walls and solar collectors, etc.) Also includes an demolition of structure. If you are unsure, contact us.

Sign Permit

The Sign Permit process ensures the safe installation of fascia and ground signs and is issued through Building Services. A Sign Permit is required when installing a new sign or changing the manner in which the sign is anchored in the ground or on a building.

Sediment and Erosion Control Permit

A Sediment and Erosion Control Permit process ensures that the proper environmental measures are in place to prevent sediments from damaging the receiving water ecosystem. A Sediment and Erosion Control Permit needs to be obtained before: the removal of any topsoil, the placement of fill, or the grading of land within the Town.

Official Plan

The Town of Ajax Official Plan describes the Town’s policies for how land should be used and coordinates future plans for growth.

Official Plan Amendment

An official plan amendment is a formal document that changes the Official Plan. Changes may be needed because of new circumstances in the community or because of requests made by property owners. If your plans for developing your property are not consistent with the Town’s Official Plan you will need to make an Amendment to the Plan.

Planning and Development Newsletter

This newsletter contains updates on recent development activity, key building permits issued and applications received and upcoming events and public meetings/open houses.