Planning and Development Department
The Planning and Development Department for the Township of Essa deals
with:
- Minor
Variances
- Consents
(severances)
- Subdivision
Control
- Zoning
By-Laws
- Official Plan
Policies
- Site
Planning
- Building Permits
When planning any
construction project, please call the
Manager of Planning and Development
or the Chief Building Official to
determine the approvals needed. For information on planning and building fees,
see the
Township's Fee
Schedule. All building in the Township must be
in compliance with the Official Plan, Zoning By-Law and Building
By-Law.
New Agricultural and Environmental Mapping
The Province recently released its four updated provincial land use plans for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Please click 
Here for more information.
Official Plan and Growth Planning
The Township is expected to continue to
experience population and employment growth over the next twenty years. Wise
growth management practices will assist us in balancing growth in a sustainable
and coordinated manner. The Official Plan (OP) contains the Township's growth
management strategy which is closely linked with its strategies for
conservation, natural, and cultural resources, and economic development.
To support the Township's growth
management and conservation strategies, the Township has
been working to assist with the Simcoe County Land Budget. The Simcoe County Land Budget is a planning
tool used to assist the County and its member municipalities to sustainably
accommodate population and employment growth in the County until 2031. The
County Land Budget has been in development since 2008, and has evolved to
accommodate changes in relevant policy and adopt new data collection
techniques.
Angus Residential Development
Official Plan Review
The Township of Essa is undertaking an update to their Official Plan document, and your input is needed. The Township's current Official Plan was put into effect on July 6, 2001. For more information on the Official Plan Review or to contribute please click here.
Land Budget
The Land Budget is comprised of distinct phases that will be released
separately. The first phase focuses on population growth and residential
development. Phase1: the Essa Growth Strategy is available below. The second
phase will focus on employment growth and economic development. This is still in development. Planning Report 
PD048-16 describes the progress of Essa's OP. It is expected that a draft of a new OP may be available in the fall of 2016. The Township website will be used to advertise future public meetings.
Essa Growth Strategy
Official Plan Program Status Update
