Site plan applications

Site plan approval is needed for residential development containing more than two dwelling units and industrial/commercial properties and non-residential developments, with limited exceptions. 

The Site Plan Review Committee is only scheduling virtual meetings.

Comments from the Site Plan Review Committee will be sent to the applicant on, or as close as possible to, the specified comment circulation date. At the time of formal submission, indicate if you need a meeting with the Site Plan Review Committee to discuss comments on the specified virtual meeting date. Staff will follow-up with a meeting request once the virtual meeting date is scheduled. Staff continue to be available for other meetings upon request, based on their availability.

On this page

1. Site plan bylaw
2. Site plan pre-consultation process
3. Pre-consultation submission and commenting schedule
4. Site plan application process
5. Fees
6. Water utilities infrastructure alterations

Site plan bylaw

Check the fee schedule for all site plan charges. Consult the Site Plan Control Bylaw  for full regulatory details. Site plans must conform to the city's Zoning Bylaw and evaluated against various design standards like the city's Urban Design Manual and Accessibility Standards Guide.

Site plan pre-consultation process

A complete site plan pre-consultation application must be submitted and reviewed by the Site Plan Review Committee prior to advancing a full site plan application. As of January 1, 2023, a complete site plan pre-consultation application must include the following:   

• cover letter
• application form (PDF)
• application fee
• site plan
• floorplans
• building elevations
• lighting (photometric) plan
• landscape plan
• functional grading plan
• functional servicing plan
• completed environmental screening questionnaire (PDF) from the Region of Waterloo
• Section 59 Notice (source water protection)

Submit the pre-consultation application and documents

Application material must be submitted in digital format to preconsultation@waterloo.ca. 

The City of Waterloo accepts payment via debit, cash, or cheque.

Address cheques to City of Waterloo and include the site address on the envelope or cheque. Payment can dropped off at the IPPW counter on the 2^nd floor of City Hall, mailed or couriered.

Mail to:

Waterloo City Centre

100 Regina St. S.

P.O. Box 337, Station Waterloo

Waterloo, ON., Canada, N2J 4A8

OR send by courier to:

IPPW/2^nd Floor

100 Regina St. S.

Waterloo ON, Canada, N2J 4P9

2023 Pre-consultation submission and commenting schedule

Complete pre-consultation applications will be circulated and reviewed in accordance with the following schedule. 

This schedule is available to view in a calendar format (PDF).

Site plan application process

Following your pre-consultation meeting, applications must be completed by the owner or authorized agent proposing a site plan.

1. Complete an application for Site Plan Approval (PDF).
2. Following the format guidelines, submit to siteplan@waterloo.ca by the deadline for your desired meeting date (find schedule below).

Extensions to the submission deadline will not be accepted unless prior written approval has been granted by the city’s manager of planning approvals.

Virtual meetings with the Site Plan Review Committee may be held upon request following the release of the Comment Record.

If you have questions about your application, contact the Site Plan Coordinator, Christine Huynh at 519-747-8583, TTY (for deaf) 1-866-786-3941 or by email to Christine.Huynh@waterloo.ca.

Fees

City of Waterloo fees are below. The Region of Waterloo charges include $300 to review applicable pre-consultation site plans and $805 to review applicable standard/major site plans. Please see the Regional Fee By-law Schedule for more information.

* Applicant requested. Approval at discretion of the Director of Planning.

Water utilities infrastructure alterations

Water utilities infrastructure alterations require a separate application. The process and forms to request an alteration are on the water utilities infrastructure page.