Did you know?

The Municipality is in the process of updating its Zoning By-law!

What’s a Zoning By-law?

A Zoning By-law is a legal document that sets the rules for what can be built and what activities are allowed on properties in Grey Highlands. It also regulates important things like building setbacks, lot sizes, and how much of a property can be covered by buildings and structures.

Why Are We Updating It?

Over the past few years, there have been important updates to the County of Grey Official Plan and new Provincial planning policies . To stay current — and to better reflect the vision for our community — our Zoning By-law needs to be brought into alignment.

We are also aiming to reduce the number of Planning Act applications by making it easier for some uses to be permitted "as-of-right", meaning no extra approvals are needed — while still making sure that new development fi ts well into our community.

Our goal is simple: create zoning rules that just make sense for Grey Highlands!

We Want Your Input!

Has there been a local decision that didn’t sit right with you? Are you concerned about what your neighbours are allowed to do on their property? Or do you feel the current system is too restrictive and makes it too hard or costly to build? Now is the perfect time to have your say! We want to hear from you at one of our public engagement sessions as we shape this important update together.

Stay tuned by clicking " + Follow " above - Public meeting dates will be advertised there soon.

Let’s Work Together! Your feedback matters. Your experience matters. Help us make sure our Zoning By-law reflects the needs and character of Grey Highlands today, and for the future.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Municipality of Grey Highlands is in the process of updating its Zoning By-law.

While the Municipality’s Official Plan was updated and approved by the County of Grey in 2017, the Zoning By-law was never updated to bring it into conformity with the new Official Plan. Updating the Zoning By-law is the essential to ensure that day-to-day land use decisions — including building permits, development proposals, and property use approvals — align with the community’s vision and provincial planning requirements.

Grey Highlands began working on a Zoning By-law update in 2020 with consulting support (JLR Consultants), and a second draft was prepared internally in 2023. Although the 2023 version advanced to a public Open House, several factors have delayed the completion of the project, including:

• Significant updates to Provincial and County planning policies

• Staffing shortages within the Municipality

• An exceptionally high volume of planning applications, which has limited the ability to dedicate resources to this large-scale project

Now, with a renewed commitment, Grey Highlands is prioritizing the completion of the Zoning By-law Update.
Finalizing this project will:

• Bring the Zoning By-law into conformity with the existing Official Plan, the County Official Plan and the Provincial Planning Statement (2024).

• Provide residents, businesses, and developers with greater clarity, predictability, and fairness

• Reduce the number of planning applications by introducing more clear “as-of-right” permissions

• Free up staff time to begin a full review of the Official Plan immediately after the By-law is complete

The Municipality’s goal is to complete the Zoning By-law Update by the end of 2025. Once the new Zoning By-law is in place, the Municipality intends to move straight forward into the review of the Official Plan Amendment.

Why is Grey Highlands updating its Zoning By-law?

The Zoning By-law significantly influences the built environment, the economy, and private property rights. Societal needs are constantly changing, and land use policies much be updated to respond to these needs. The Planning Act also mandates that the Municipality regularly update its Zoning By-law in a comprehensive manner to align with higher-level land use planning policies. Grey Highlands is due for a new Zoning By-law to address the needs of its citizens and to comply with the direction of the Planning Act.

The Zoning By-law Update project focuses on a comprehensive review and modernization of the Municipality of Grey Highlands' Zoning By-law.

The scope of the project includes:

• Bringing the Zoning By-law into conformity with the Municipality's 2017 Official Plan

• Aligning zoning regulations with updated Provincial and County planning policies

• Simplifying and clarifying zoning rules to make them easier for property owners, developers, and staff to understand and apply

• Reducing the number of planning applications by introducing more "as-of-right" development opportunities, where appropriate and where compatibility between neighbouring uses can be maintained

• Protecting the character of Grey Highlands' communities, while ensuring that zoning regulations support responsible growth, housing options, rural development, economic development, and environmental protection

• Updating zone categories, permitted uses, and mapping across the Municipality to reflect today’s realities and future needs

• Preparing for future growth by building a solid zoning framework that supports the eventual update of the Official Plan

• Encouraging public participation so that the new Zoning By-law reflects the priorities and values of Grey Highlands residents and businesses

The project does not include a full review of the Municipality’s Official Plan at this time. A review of the Official Plan will begin after the Zoning By-law update is completed, followed by a housekeeping amendment to the By-law to align with any new Official Plan changes.

Your input is an important part of updating the Zoning By-law to ensure it reflects the needs, priorities, and vision of our community.

There are several ways you can get involved in the process:

• Attend Public Open House: Opportunities will be provided for residents, businesses, and stakeholders to learn more about the draft By-law and provide feedback. Watch for announcements on our website and social media or click " + Follow " to be notified.

• Provide Written Comments: Submit your feedback by email or letter. All public input will be considered as we refine the draft Zoning By-law.

• Stay Informed Online: Visit zonegreyhighlands.ca regularly for updates, background information, draft documents, and notices of upcoming engagement opportunities.

• Participate in the Statutory Public Meeting: Before Council considers final adoption of the updated Zoning By-law, a formal public meeting will be held where you can share your thoughts directly.

Upcoming meeting dates and engagement opportunities will be posted on zonegreyhighlands.ca and through local advertising.