The Planning Act grants authority to Sarnia City Council to appoint a Committee of Adjustment to consider consent to sever land.

Consents are permission granted to divide (sever) land into new lots, to add land to an abutting lot, to establish easements or rights-of-way and to lease or register a mortgage over 21 years.

Property owners who wish to divide their property for the purpose of selling it, registering or discharging a mortgage, or leasing, if for a period over 21 years, must apply for a severance. In municipal legislative terms, it means obtaining a “consent to sever” from the Committee of Adjustment. The Planning Act stipulates that a consent must be granted before a parcel of land can be divided to create an additional lot(s). This process is referred to as land severance and the type of consent given in this instance is a severance. Controlling the division of land through “severance” gives the municipality a mechanism for ensuring that the creation of lots is consistent with the planning policies of the municipality as set out in its Official Plan and the County of Lambton Official Plan. Generally, no more than five abutting parcels can be created though the consent process. Anything beyond that requires approval as a “plan of subdivision”.

Committee of Adjustment – 2024 Schedule

Complete applications to be received no later than 4:30pm on the application deadline.
Application Deadline Meeting Date
November 14, 2023 December 12, 2023
December 12, 2023 January 16, 2024
January 16, 2024 February 13, 2024
February 13, 2024 March 12, 2024
March 12, 2024 April 9, 2024
April 9, 2024 May 14, 2024
May 14, 2024 June 11, 2024
June 11, 2024 July 9, 2024
July 9, 2024 August 13, 2024
August 13, 2024 September 10, 2024
September 10, 2024 October 8, 2024
October 8, 2024 November 12, 2024
November 12, 2024 December 10, 2024

Consent Application Process

1. Consult with the Secretary-Treasurer:

Before you submit an application, discuss your plans with the Secretary-Treasurer or a Planner of the Planning Department to confirm whether other planning or engineering approvals are required. Please email planning@sarnia.ca or call 519-332-0330 ext. 3301.

Note: If the lot or lots to be created are not located in an area of the City where sanitary sewers are available, the County of Lambton, Planning and Development Services Department should be contacted 519-845-0801. No application to create a lot or lots on private services will be scheduled for a public meeting until the County of Lambton advises the City that the appropriate studies have been received and reviewed by the County and are found to be acceptable.

2. Complete the Application, including the following:

  • A completed application form, which can be found below.
  • -Application fee. Payment details are available on the application form.
  • One copy of a survey of the proposal, with dimensions and drawn to scale; showing the lot and the location and size of the buildings and the parking and access on the lot. It must also show all of the information and features that are listed on the Consent Application Form;
  • -Additional information that may be helpful in understanding your proposal. This may include photographs or other documents.

Please note that the application form must be commissioned by an Ontario Commissioner of Oaths. This can be completed free of charge when submitting your form in-person at City Hall. Commissioning may also be completed by a lawyer or notary public if you choose to submit your application online.

3. Notice of Public Hearing:

A notice of Public Hearing will be posted on the property itself and copies of the Notice will be sent to all registered property owners within 60 metres (200 feet) of the property and to every person and public body that has provided a written request for such notice, at least 14 days before the date of the Hearing. Copies of the application will also be circulated to prescribed agencies and to City Departments for the purpose of obtaining written comments and/or advice for consideration when making the decision on the application.

In advance of the meeting the City will prepare signage for the Applicant to post onsite, the applicant must submit a photo to the City a minimum of 14 days in advance of the meeting showing the sign in place.

4. Public Hearing and Decision Making Process:

  • The Committee will carefully consider all aspects of your application in light of the requirements of the Planning Act, the Provincial Policy Statement, the policies in the City Official Plan and the County Official Plan, comments from municipal departments, agency comments and input from the public. When dealing with an application to sever land, the Committee will consider where appropriate:
  • What the effect will be on the health, safety, convenience and welfare of the present and future inhabitants;
  • The impact on Provincial interests as identified in Section 2 of the Planning Act;
  • Whether the application is in the public interest or is premature;
  • If the lands suit the proposal;
  • If the size and shape of the lots and the overall plan are suitable;
  • Whether the layout addresses energy conservation of natural resources and flood control;
  • Whether utilities, road systems, municipal services and schools are adequate;
  • If the area of land being dedicated for public purposes is suitable; and
  • Whether the application conforms to the City and County Official Plans and is it compatible with adjacent land uses. If your application is approved, the Committee may impose conditions as part of the decision. Conditions could include things such as a requirement for Site Plan Approval, the entering into of a severance agreement with the City, preparation of a tree preservation plan, or approval of a lot grading plan.

5. Notice of Decision:

Within 10 days of the date on which the Consent Authority makes a decision, one copy of it will be emailed to the applicant and/or agent, to anyone who filed a written request for notice of the decision, to everyone who provided written comments or written submissions, and to anyone else prescribed by regulation. Information is included in the Notice of Decision outlining appeal procedures and identifying the last day for appealing the Committee’s decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).

6. When Decision is Final and Binding:

If no appeals are made by the end of the 20 day appeal period, the decision is final and binding. The applicant can prepare and submit to the Committee the appropriate documents such as a deed or a mortgage for certification by the Secretary-Treasurer.

7. Lapsing of Consent:

Section 53 of the Planning Act provides that:

  • Where a consent is granted with conditions, the conditions must be fulfilled within two years of the “Notice of Decision“ or the consent is deemed to be “refused” or “lapsed”; and
  • Where a “certificate of consent” (stamp) has been given following the fulfillment of the conditions, the consent is deemed to be “refused” or “lapsed”, if the transaction in respect of which the consent was given is not carried out within two years from the date of the certificate.

Property Notification Signage

In advance of the meeting the City will prepare signage for the Applicant to post onsite. The City will advise the applicant when the Sign is available for pickup from Customer Service (1st Floor, City Hall).

Installation & Location

  • The applicant is responsible for the installation and maintenance of all signs (including snow clearance), which shall be located away from any obstructions such that the signs are visible from the street and installed in a safe and secure manner. (Note: the sign must remain visible from the street/sidewalk at all times, even during periods of snow accumulation).
  • The sign shall be posted a minimum of fourteen (14) days prior to the public meeting.
  • The sign shall be placed on the subject property, and not within public rights-of-way.
  • The sign shall be located approximately midway between the side lot lines at a maximum setback of 1.2 m (4 ft.) from the street line.
  • A sign is to be posted for each frontage, or as directed by staff (corner lots, through lots, etc.)
  • No sign shall be located within any sight triangle, as specified by the appropriate Zoning Bylaw.
  • The sign may be placed on the exterior of a building, if it can not be accommodated in the front yard of the subject property.
  • The sign shall not be placed in a window of a building located on the subject property.
  • Failure to post the sign as required will result in a deferral of the application at costs to the applicant.

Removal of Signage

The applicant is responsible to ensure that the sign remains posted and visible during the 14 (Consent) days prior to the hearing. If the sign becomes lost or damaged, the applicant is required to notify staff who will work with the applicant to replace the sign. In the event that an application is deferred, a new sign will be prepared and the applicant will be responsible for posting.

The sign shall not be removed until the Committee has made a decision.

Steps to Apply for a Consent Application

Fee RateA 2024 Consent Application costs $1558.00 per lot being created. This fee is charged regardless of whether or not the Committee of Adjustment approves the consent, and is non-refundable.

Anyone looking to apply for a consent should complete the following steps:

Step 1:
Review the information above, and speak with the Secretary-Treasurer before applying. (Details above)

Step 2:
Complete a Consent Application form. This can be completed digitally, or on paper. The form can be accessed at the link above, or in person at Community Services on the 3rd floor of City Hall.

Step 3:
Submit your form. This can be done:

  • Online: Submit your application via the sarnia.ca/apply portal.
    (Note: the application must be commissioned by an Ontario Commissioner of Oaths. Applicants choosing to submit online may find their own Commissioner or may come into City Hall after submitting to have their application commissioned in person.)
  • In Person: At Community Services on the 3rd floor of City Hall.
  • Mail or Courier: To “City Hall: Attention Planning Department” (see note above regarding Commissioning)

Step 4:
Pay the application fee. Payment can be made:

  • Online: By credit card using the Payment Platform below.
  • In Person: By cheque, credit or debit card, at Community Services on the 3rd floor of City Hall.
  • Mail or Courier: By cheque made out to City of Sarnia. Mailed to “City Hall: Attention Planning Department”
  • Phone: By credit card. 519-332-0330 ext. 3301

Consent Application Payment Platform

Use this link to pay for your Consent Application once you have completed and submitted the application form.

Access Payment Platform