Planning Development

IMPORTANT UPDATE: In response to the approval of Bills 109, 23 and 97, the City has implemented a revised development application review and approval process in lockstep with its York Region partner municipalities premised on the principles of the Collaborative Application Process (CAP) being implemented across the Region (Staff Report SRPI.23.059).

Planning and Development Applications

Before Submitting an Application

Prior to submitting a Development Application to the City, the Owner/Agent must have a pre-submission meeting with Development Planning staff. The purpose of this meeting is for the applicant to present a development proposal so as to identify required materials for a full and complete submission of a Planning Act application(s). The Pre-Submission Meeting is part of the first phase of the City’s Collaborative Application Process (CAP) and is of assistance to both the applicant and the City as it provides an early discussion regarding a development proposal.

Request a Pre-Submission Meeting

Please note: A Pre-Submission Meeting is not required for Part Lot Control Exemption, Consent, Minor Variance, Sign By-law Variance/Amendment, Municipal Addressing or Street Naming applications. Please contact the Development Planning Division at planning@richmondhill.ca for more information.

NEW - Collaborative Application Process (CAP)

The City’s CAP process was developed with the objective of establishing a more focused approval process that is streamlined, transparent, reduces additional submissions, and encourages applicant and public participation at an early stage with the goal of resolving technical matters in the development review process.

The following applications are subject to CAP process:

• Official Plan Amendment
• Zoning By-law Amendment
• Draft Plan of Subdivision*
• Draft Plan of Condominium*
• Site Plan and Site Plan Amendment Applications

* if associated with an Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment or Site Plan/Site Plan Amendment application

The CAP process is comprised of 3 Phases:

Phase 1: Submission Requirements Meeting

The first phase of the CAP process involves a Pre-Submission Meeting pursuant to the Planning Act. The purpose of this step is to discuss an applicant’s proposal on a preliminary basis as well as to confirm the approvals and technical studies and documentation required.

Phase 2: Pre-Application Submission

The second phase of the CAP process requires the submission of plans, studies and reports to support the applicant’s development proposal as outlined in the Pre-Submission Letter. The Pre-Application submission is subject to a quality control evaluation and circulation for review and comment. This phase does not form part of the formal legislated application under the Planning Act. 

2023 Pre-Application Submission Form (Phase 2)

Phase 3: Submission of a Complete Planning Act Application

The third and final phase of the CAP process involves the submission of a complete Planning Act application. Upon receipt of a complete application, it will be circulated for confirmation that the development proposal is in accordance with the development proposal reviewed through Phase 2. All requirements pursuant to the Planning Act are implemented through this phase.

For more information, view:

• Official Plan/Zoning By-law Amendment CAP process
• Site Plan CAP process

Development Applications

The Development Planning Section of Richmond Hill's Planning and Building Services Department is responsible for the review and processing of a variety of development planning applications including:

• Official Plan Amendments
• Zoning By-law Amendments
• Draft Plans of Subdivision
• Draft Plans of Condominium
• Site Plans and Site Plan Amendments - New Site Plan and Site Plan Amendments online application form now available
• Part Lot Control Exemption - New Part Lot Control Exemption online submission form now available
• Applications for Severance Consent and Minor Variance

• Sign By-law Variance/Sign By-law Amendment applications - New online submission form now available
• Municipal Addressing and Street Naming applications - New Municipal Addressing online submission form now available
• Radio-Communication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Public Consultation application
• Sustainability Metrics

Applications and Guides

Please note that all applications, including CAP submissions are subject to the Tariff of Fees by-law.