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# Planning
Planning impacts many aspects of our community - the construction of new homes, stores and offices; the creation or improvement of natural areas, parks and trails, recreational facilities and other public spaces; the provision of roads, sidewalks, sewers and waterlines.
The Town of Essex Planning Department provides a broad range of policy planning and land development services. Through an open and inclusive public planning process, the department is committed to enhancing the liveability of the unique communities that comprise the Town of Essex.
## Responsibilities
The Planning Department is composed of the Town Planner, the Policy Planner and support staff, whose responsibilities include the development and administration of the Town's Official Plan and zoning by-law, as well as the creation of long-range policies and guidelines for a sustainable and prosperous community.
Services are provided in the following five areas:
* Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments, generally and on a site-specific basis
* Minor Variance and Property Severance applications to the Committee of Adjustment
* Plans of Subdivision and Condominium
* Site Plan Approval
* Land use policy changes to comply with new provincial legislation or to address such matters as changes in community demographics, land use needs and guidelines to sustainable community development
## Public meetings
As part of the planning process, the Planning Department holds public meetings, workshops and information sessions to obtain public input. For information and notices announcing specific public meetings, refer to the Town's Council and Public Meetings Calendar.
## Special projects
The Planning Department undertakes several special projects annually. We develop or assist with the development of broad-based community policies for the creation of a sustainable community, built and natural heritage conservation measures, streetscape improvement plans, stimulus plans for new business creation, and other measures to make the Town of Essex a healthy, sustainable and prosperous community for the long term.
## Planning Fees
For planning fees, please refer to the planning section of the User Fees Schedule:
Planning Fee Schedule 2026
| Description | Unit / Notes | Fee |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Official Plan Amendment | (plus deposit to be determined at time of application) | $7,714 |
| Zoning By-Law Amendment - Major (Note 1) | (plus deposit to be determined at time of application) | $3,978 |
| Zoning By-Law Amendment - Minor (Note 1) | (plus deposit to be determined at time of application) | $3,014 |
| Holding Removal | Each | $1,447 |
| Temporary Use By-Law | Each | $3,014 |
| Site Plan Control | (plus deposit to be determined at time of application) | $3,496 |
| Site Plan Amendment - Major (Note 1) | (plus deposit to be determined at time of application) | $3,014 |
| Site Plan Amendment - Minor (Note 1) | (plus deposit to be determined at time of application) | $2,411 |
| Plan of Subdivision and Condominium | Each | $6,600 Plus $10,000 Deposit |
| Minor Redline Amendment | Each | $572 |
| Amendment to Development Agreement | Each | $980 |
| Extension of Draft Plan Approval | Each | $572 |
| Part Lot Control Exemption By-Law - Major (Note 1) | Each | $2,049 |
| Part Lot Control Exemption By-Law - Minor (Note 1) | Each | $1,567 |
| Consent to Sever | Each | $1,688 |
| Complex Minor Variances (Note 1) | Each | $1,447 |
| Minor Variances (Note 1) | Each | $1,085 |
| Consent to Sever and Variance (applications submitted) | Each | $2,652 |
| Change of Consent Conditions - Minor Request | Each | $302 |
| Change of Consent Conditions - Major Request | Each | $483 |
| Deferred Committee of Adjustment Application (without public circulation) | Each | $133 |
| Deferred Committee of Adjustment Application (with public circulation) | Each | $600 |
| Certificate of Validation | Each | $145 |
| Consent Cancellations | Each | $474 |
#### Development Agreements:
| Description | Unit / Notes | Fee |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plan of Subdivision and Condominium (Note 2) | Each | $5,000 |
| Site Plan Control (Note 3) | Each | $5,000 |
| All Other Developments | (plus deposit to be determined at time of application) | $3,375.22 |
| Sign By-Law Amendment | Each | $868 |
| Processing New applications for Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Antenna Systems (plus deposit) | Each | $3,414 |
| Renewal/Extension of wireless of cell towers agreements | Each | $623 |
| Drainage Apportionments | | $216 |
| Tax Screenprint | | $14 |
Contact Us
**Town of Essex**
33 Talbot Street South
Essex, Ontario, N8M 1A8
519-776-7336
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