Committee of Adjustment

A Minor Variance is a proposed change to a property, which does not conform to the Zoning By-law.

A minor variance approval allows the property owner to obtain a building permit even though their property does not comply precisely with the zoning bylaw. Under section 45(1) of the Planning Act there are four tests that a minor variance must meet:

• Is the application minor?
• Is the application desirable for the appropriate development of the lands in question?
• Does the application conform to the general intent of the Zoning By-law?
• Does the application conform to the general intent of the Official Plan?

Permission allows the applicant to enlarge a building or structure, or may permit similar or more compatible use where land, buildings or structures have been lawfully used for a purpose now prohibited by the Zoning By-law.

Consent enables the applicant to enter transactions relating to the subdivision of land. These transactions can include the creation of a new lot; leases over 21 years; mortgage or partial discharge of a mortgage; foreclosure or exercise of power of sale; rights-of-ways and easements over 21 years; lot adjustments and extensions; and corrections to deeds or property descriptions.

Anyone considering applying for a minor variance, permission or consent application can pick up the application form at Town Hall (or download the application form for ​Minor Variance or Consent

The applicant must contact the Building Services division prior to submitting an application to obtain the proper Zoning By-law requirements and undertake a Preliminary Zoning Review

A pre-consultation with planning staff is recommended prior to submitting to determine if an application conforms to the Official Plan and/or severance policies of the Town of Aurora. Failure to follow this procedure may result in the application being delayed due to improper information being submitted. The pre-consultation also acts as an opportunity for the applicant to ask questions about the Committee of Adjustment process

In making its decision, the Committee will conduct a public hearing. Prior to a hearing, a notice of application is mailed out to all "Registered Owners" of land within a 120-meter radius of the subject property and to notify prescribed public agencies, registered ratepayers, and Town departments.

All interested parties are invited to either attend the public hearing and/or submit in writing their views and concerns. Following the hearing, a notification of the Committee's decision is prepared and mailed to the owner, agent, all interested parties and agencies advising of the decision. There is a 20-day appeal period following the date of decision, whereby an appeal can be made by the applicant/agent to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). Once the appeal period has expired and any/all conditions have been satisfied by the owner/agent, the application is final.

Citizen Members

• David Mhango (Chair)
• Jane Stevenson (Vice Chair)
• Julian Yang 
• Michael Visconti
• Christopher Polsinelli

• Terms of Reference for Committee of Adjustment 2022-2026​​

• NEW - 2025 Committee of Adjustment Meeting Schedule
• 2024 Committee of Adjustment Meeting Schedule
• Planning Application Fees​​​​
• Committee of Adjust​ment Application Form Checklist 
• Sign Posting Instructions for a Minor Variance Application
• Sign Posting Instructions for a Consent Application
• Frequently Asked Questions​

• Consent Application Process Guidelines
• Minor Variance Application Process Guidelines

• Consent Application Form
• Minor Variance Application Form

• Age​nda​s and Minutes
• ​Notices of Application
• Notices of Decisions
• Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)  
• Land Registry Information