The Zoning By-law guides the implementation of policies in the Town's Official Plan. The Official Plan contains general policies that affect the use of land throughout the Town. These policies specify where certain land uses are permitted and, in some instances, specify what regulations should apply to the development of certain lands.
A Zoning By-law controls the use of land within a municipality. More specifically, a Zoning By-law states exactly:
- how land may be used;
- where all buildings and structures can be located on a lot;
- the types of buildings and structures that are permitted, and how they may be used; and
- the number of parking and loading spaces required, in addition to other amenities.
The purpose of a Zoning By-law is to implement the policies of an Official Plan. The Official Plan contains general policies that affect development and the use of land throughout the municipality. The Zoning By-law also provides the day-to-day administration of the Official Plan, while providing a legally enforceable way of managing land use and future development.
A portion of the Town of The Blue Mountains is located within the Niagara Escarpment and as such, is administered through Niagara Escarpment Development Control by the Niagara Escarpment Commission.
The Government of Ontario has produced a series of Citizens' Guides that explain how the land use planning process works in Ontario.