Committee of Adjustment

 The Committee of Adjustment, appointed by City of Brantford Council, is responsible for considering minor variances to Brantford's zoning by-law and fence and sign regulations under the Municipal Code, to consider extensions, enlargements or variations to existing legal non-conforming uses. The Committee of Adjustment also considers the creation of new lots (consents/severances), boundary adjustments, easements and rights-of-way, and long-term leases.

Minor Variance

What is a Minor Variance?

A variance is a minor change to the Zoning By-law for a specific property. The Committee of Adjustment may approve the variance if it is satisfied that the variance maintains the general intent of the Official Plan and the Zoning By-law, if the proposed development will be appropriate and if the variance is minor.

View or download the Resident Guide to Minor Variance Applications.

Applying for a Minor Variance

An application for Minor Variance or Relief from Municipal Code Sign or Fence Regulation is required. The Committee of Adjustment meets on a regular basis as outlined below. Meeting dates are subject to change. The deadline for submissions is typically six weeks before a scheduled meeting.

The fastest way to submit an application is through CloudPermit. It’s an all-digital system that allows you to submit an application and documentation, track the application status, and comment on the process entirely online.

Submit A Planning Application

Consent/Severance

What is a Consent/Severance?

Consent of the Committee of Adjustment is required to:

  • Divide/sever property for the purpose of selling it
  • Validate title
  • Lease land for a period of over 21 years
  • Establish a right of way
  • Create an easement, or
  • Adjust a lot line

The Planning Act stipulates that consent must be granted before a parcel of land can be divided to create an additional lot(s). This process is referred to as a land severance. Controlling the division of land through “severance” gives the City of Brantford a mechanism for ensuring that the creation of lots is consistent with the planning policies of the Province and the City of Brantford.

View or download the Resident Guide to Consent Applications.

Applying for a Consent

An application for Consent/Severance Approval is required. The Committee of Adjustment meets on a regular basis as outlined below. Meeting dates are subject to change. The deadline for submissions is typically six weeks before a scheduled meeting.

The fastest way to submit an application is through CloudPermit. It’s an all-digital system that allows you to submit an application and documentation, track the application status, and comment on the process entirely online.

Submit A Planning Application

Site Plan Control

What is a Site Plan Control?

After a severance application is approved by the Committee of Adjustment (or required as a condition of approval for a minor variance), any development on the created lot or vacant retained lot is required to go through the Site Plan Control process. Site Plan Control is a tool that the City uses to make sure that development is appropriately designed, and will function as proposed. It also makes sure that the City’s standards are respected and aids in minimizing the impact of development on neighbouring properties.

View or download the Resident Guide to Site Plan Control Application for Small Infill Development.

Applying for a Site Plan

An application for Site Plan Control is required. The Committee of Adjustment meets on a regular basis as outlined below. Meeting dates are subject to change. The deadline for submissions is typically six weeks before a scheduled meeting.


Committee of Adjustment Meeting Schedule 2024
Submission Deadline (4:30 pm) Hearing Date (5:30 pm) Committee Decisions
November 9, 2023 January 18, 2024 (Thursday)  
November 30, 2023 February 7, 2024 (Wednesday)  
January 4, 2024 March 7, 2024 (Thursday)   
February 1, 2024 April 3, 2024 (Wednesday)  
February 29, 2024 May 1, 2024 (Wednesday)  
April 4, 2024 June 5, 2024 (Wednesday)  
May 2, 2024 July 3, 2024 (Wednesday)  
June 6, 2024 August 7, 2024 (Wednesday)  
July 4, 2024 September 4, 2024 (Wednesday)  
August 1, 2024 October 2, 2024 (Wednesday)  
September 5, 2024 November 6, 2024 (Wednesday)  
October 3, 2024 December 4, 2024 (Wednesday)  

Committee of Adjustment Meeting Schedule 2023
Submission Deadline (4:30 pm) Hearing Date (5:30 pm) Committee Decisions
November 10, 2022 January 19, 2023 (Thursday)  January 2023 (PDF)
December 2, 2022 February 2, 2023 (Thursday)  February 2023 (PDF)
December 29, 2022 March 2, 2023 (Thursday)   March 2023 (PDF)
February 2, 2023 April 5, 2023 (Wednesday)  April 2023 (PDF)
March 2, 2023 May 3, 2023 (Wednesday)  May 2023 (PDF)
April 5, 2023 June 7, 2023 (Wednesday)  June 2023 (PDF)
May 4, 2023 July 5, 2023 (Wednesday)  July 2023 (PDF)
June 1, 2023 August 2, 2023 (Wednesday)  
July 6, 2023 September 6, 2023 (Wednesday)  
August 3, 2023 October 4, 2023 (Wednesday)  
August 31, 2023 November 1, 2023 (Wednesday)  
October 5, 2023 December 6, 2023 (Wednesday)  

Committee of Adjustment Meeting Schedule 2022
Submission Deadline (4:30 pm) Hearing Date (5:30 pm) Committee Decisions
November 12, 2021 January 13, 2022 (Thursday) January 2022 (PDF)
December 3, 2021 February 2, 2022 (Wednesday) February 2022 (PDF)
December 31, 2021 March 2, 2022 (Wednesday) March 2022 (PDF)
February 4, 2022 April 6, 2022 (Wednesday) April 2022 (PDF)
March 4, 2022 May 4, 2022 (Wednesday) May 2022 (PDF)
April 8, 2022 June 8, 2022 (Wednesday) June 2022 (PDF)
May 6, 2022 July 6, 2022 (Wednesday) July 2022 (PDF)
June 3, 2022 August 3, 2022 (Wednesday) August 2022 (PDF)
July 8, 2022 September 7, 2022 (Wednesday) September 2022 (PDF)
August 5, 2022 October 5, 2022 (Wednesday) October 2022 (PDF)
September 2, 2022 November 2, 2022 (Wednesday)  
October 7, 2022 December 7, 2022 (Wednesday)  December 2022 (PDF)