Planning and Advisory

Conservation Halton’s Planning MOUs//MOAs:

Halton Region – Memorandum of Understanding 2024

City of Hamilton – Memorandum of Understanding

Peel Region – Memorandum of Understanding

County of Wellington – Memorandum of Understanding

On January 1, 2023, Ontario Regulation 596/22: Prescribed Acts – Subsections 21.1.1 (1.1) and 21.1.2 (1.1) of the Conservation Authorities Act (O. Reg. 596/22) came into effect. As a result, technical review services for planning and development applications previously provided by Conservation Halton (CH) under Memorandums of Understanding with municipalities (e.g., technical reviews related to natural heritage and select aspects of stormwater management) can no longer be provided.

O. Reg. 596/22 does not affect CH’s mandatory programs or services. Municipalities are still required to circulate planning applications and technical reports to CH so that we may review and comment on natural hazard, wetland, and source water protection matters, per Ontario Regulation 686/21: Mandatory Programs and Services. Further, CH will continue to support its partners through the delivery of other watershed programs and services not directly related to planning and development applications (e.g., monitoring, data analysis, restoration, landowner outreach).

Updates will be needed to the above Planning MOUs to reflect legislative and regulatory changes and to clarify roles and responsibilities as it relates to planning and development reviews.

When an applicant submits a planning application to a municipality, municipal staff may screen the application to determine whether it is within the area of interest of Conservation Halton. We may be requested to attend a formal pre-consultation meeting with the applicant and the municipality.

At the pre-consultation meeting, we will identify the type of technical information needed for us to assess the application (e.g., topographical survey, geotechnical study, etc.) and determine whether approval from Conservation Halton is required under the Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 41/24. Conservation Halton may also provide feedback related to our role as a service provider and/or Conservation Halton’s Delegated Interest in Plan Review.

The goal of the pre-consultation process is to:

• discuss the nature and extent of the proposed works and define and scope technical studies and information that will be required in order for Conservation Halton to assess the application
• identify any issues or concerns early in the process
• clarify roles and responsibilities
• specify complete application requirements
• reduce or eliminate draft or repeat submissions later in the process

• Send an E-mail – We are available via email, video conference, phone or in person, but it is best to connect through email first. Please email us with any questions, or if you would like to set up a time for a virtual meeting or conference call. You should continue to connect directly to your contact on the Planning & Regulations team for matters specific to your file. General inquiries can be directed to envserv@hrca.on.ca.
• Digital Submissions – Digital submissions are preferred and can be made via email. Dropbox can also be used for larger files (see process below). Conservation Halton permits and correspondences will be issued via email.
• Dropbox – A Dropbox account has been set up for large planning and permit submissions. We will provide applicants with a link and password so that digital submissions can be uploaded.
• Reduce File Sizes – Given the volume of digital submissions that we receive, as well as the amount of data associated with most planning or permit submissions, it is helpful if files are compressed, where possible (i.e., reduce PDF and AutoCAD file size and create zip files). It is also helpful for large technical reports to be broken down into separate sections (i.e., main report should be separate from appendices) and larger plans or figures sent separately from reports. Please use short file names that clearly identify the file contents.
• Prioritize Files – It is helpful if you can prioritize your files and identify needs that are critical to your business, so please let us know if there are certain files you would like us to focus our attention on.
• Electronic Payments – Credit card or Electronic Fund Transfers (EFTs) are the preferred method of payment for both permit and planning submissions. Staff can provide direction on how to make these payments. (Please note that we are unable to process any application without the applicable review fee.)
• Planning Reviews – New planning applications are circulated to Conservation Halton by our municipal partners and should not be submitted directly to Conservation Halton (except electronic payment). All review agencies should be copied on subsequent submissions to ensure that each agency is reviewing the same information. Digital submissions are preferred and should include all required information.
• Upfront Technical Reviews – To expedite the review, we recommend large technical reviews be completed in advance of a formal planning or permit application submission (e.g., EIR/FSS, SIS). We can also work with landowners to identify environmental constraints and opportunities for specific sites (e.g., floodplain modelling reviews, wetland water balance assessments). Technical review fees will apply.
• Site Inspections – We are available to complete site inspections. Participants must abide by public health requirements (e.g., physical distancing, wearing masks, etc.). In some situations we may consider alternative options to expedite site inspections, such as drone flyover video and/or photos. We encourage landowners to contact staff, so that we can discuss if video is appropriate for the given site or works.

CH’s fees fall into three discrete categories: 1) fees for permit applications under the Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 41/24; 2) fees for planning applications under the Planning Act; and 3) fees for technical reviews and miscellaneous services not associated with permit or planning applications. Review fees are to enable CH to deliver good customer service, provide timely reviews, and respond to the increases in file volumes experienced in the past few years. CH has a Board approved a target recovery rate of 100% to cover the costs associated with CH’s review of planning and permit applications.

Please contact us to confirm the correct fee prior to submitting any payments.

2025 Planning Fees 

On December 12, 2024, Conservation Authorities (CAs) received a Direction from the Minister of Natural Resources regarding changes to planning, development, and permitting fees.  This Direction extends previous ones, whereby CAs are prohibited from changing planning or permitting fees, or the manner in which these fees are determined, from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.  As such, Conservation Halton’s 2023 Fee Schedules remain valid until further notice.

Click here for Conservation Halton 2023 Planning Fees – approved by CH’s Board of Directors on November 17, 2022

Click here for Conservation Halton 2023 Pre-Application and Other Review Fees – as approved by CH’s Board of Directors on November 17, 2022

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all other necessary approvals are obtained prior to undertaking any works. Links to planning approval agencies within the Conservation Halton watersheds are provided below:

• Region of Halton
  • Town of Halton Hills
  • Town of Milton
  • Town of Oakville
  • City of Burlington
• Region of Peel
  • City of Mississauga
• County of Wellington
  • Township of Puslinch
• City of Hamilton
• Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC)
• Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAH)
• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF)
• Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP)
• Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)