Governs building permit applications for construction, demolition, change of use and permit transfers under the Building Code Act, including application requirements, permit conditions and inspections.
Zoning & land use — Sarnia, Ontario
What can I build? Do I need a development permit?
The City of Sarnia, Ontario has 4 adopted bylaws on file: Building By-Law No. 48 of 2006 (Consolidated, incl. amendment 117 of 2020); Development Charges By-Law No. 1 of 2024; Fence By-Law No. 44 of 1998 (Consolidated, incl. amendments to 2018); Zoning By-Law No. 85 of 2002, Part 1 - Introduction, verified 2026-08-23.
Imposes development charges on new residential and non-residential development to fund growth-related capital costs under the Development Charges Act, 1997, so new taxpayers help fund the services their development requires.
Regulates construction and height of fences citywide, including a corner-lot daylight-triangle sightline rule and a maximum 0.75m solid-fence height near intersections; addresses the common resident question of allowable fence height.
Core enacting section of the City's comprehensive Zoning By-law under Planning Act s.34, regulating use of land and the character/location/use of buildings and structures citywide to implement the Official Plan; the full by-law is split into 39 zone-specific sections and map schedules.
Landing page linking all 39 sections plus schedules of the current Zoning By-law; notes a comprehensive Zoning By-law Review is underway following the City's 2022 Official Plan, so a full replacement by-law is expected.