Planning Applications

Additional Residential Units are defined by the Planning Act as a permanent residential unit that can either be in the same building as the existing dwelling or in a separate building that is accessory to the existing dwelling on a residential lot where an existing detached house, semi-detached house, or townhouse is located.

If you are interested in establishing an Additional Residential Unit (ARU) on your property, please fill out the worksheet and submit it to the Planning Department for review. 

• Additional Residential Unit Worksheet

The municipality has created two (2) ARU guides for the Urban and Rural areas to provide residents with additional information and to answer frequently asked questions. 
This guide covers:

• What ARUs are and their benefits;
• The number of ARUs allowed on a property;
• Where an ARU can be built;
• Zoning, size, parking and permit requirements; and
• Frequently asked questions.

Please click the link below to read more about them!

• ARU Guides

Capacity Allocation Applications are required for all developments that create residential units (including infill) and all new non-residential development.

The Municipality’s infrastructure is approaching maximum capacity. Both water and wastewater improvements need to be undertaken in the short term to support growth. Development allocation for the remaining infrastructure capacity must be regularly monitored and managed to ensure that development applications do not exceed the infrastructure capacity.

Applicants must complete the relevant sections of the application form as they pertain to their development. It is recommended that each applicant read the Mississippi Mills Capacity Allocation Policy and By-law 24-093 with amendments before submitting their application.

To start the process, please complete the Capacity Allocation Application Form and email it to mplanner@mississippimills.ca.

For information on how applications are processed and the related timelines, please see section 4 and 5 of By-law 24-093.

For information on associated application fees, please refer to the 2026 Planning and Engineering Application Fees.

The purpose of cash-in-lieu of parking is to provide compensation to the Municipality for assuming the responsibility of providing parking when a landowner or developer cannot meet the minimum parking requirements established in the Municipality's Zoning By-law. Please be advised that currently the Municipality only permits cash-in-lieu of parking for non-residential parking spaces.

Cash-in-lieu of Parking Forms and Information:

• Application

A minor variance can change the zoning provisions such as: 

• Maximum building height;
• Minimum lot area or width;
• Distance between the lot line and the building (setback);
• Minimum landscaping requirement.

A minor variance cannot add a use that is not permitted in the Zoning By-law.

Committee of Adjustment Forms and Information

• • Minor Variance Highlight Sheet
  • Application
  • 2026 Committee of Adjustment Meeting Schedule, revised 

The Municipality has an Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP) designed to support the development of new affordable rental units. The CIP is now in full force and effect and provides financial incentives for eligible projects that include affordable housing.

for more information or to apply, please contact mplanner@mississippimills.ca.

Mississippi Mills Business Park Guidelines

Mississippi Mills Rural Guidelines

Mississippi Mills Tree Guidelines

Mississippi Mills Urban Design Guidelines

For a list of Development fees, please visit the Development Charges webpage for more details.

• Hydrogeological Screening Tool and Checklist

If you are planning to build or alter land (e.g. excavate or fill) near a wetland, watercourse, or along a shoreline, you may require a permit from Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) or municipal planning approval.

MVCA administers a permitting process to protect peoples’ lives and property from natural hazards such as flooding and erosion, and to maintain the health of the watershed.  Permits are issued in accordance with the provincial Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 153/06: Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority: Regulation of Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses

• Development & Permits - Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (mvc.on.ca)
• MVCA Forms and Fees

A guide adapted from the FireSmart Begins at Home Manual and the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry's Wildland Fire Risk Assessment and Mitigation Reference Manual.

• Mitigating Wildland Fire Risk Guidelines
• Mitigating Wildland Fire Risk Assessment Form

Every year, millions of litres of water flow into the municipal drainage system from residential rooftops and indoor plumbing. Most people don’t think about how the water is collected or where it goes, however, it’s a different matter when there is a torrential storm, the drainage system falters, and you get water in your basement.

This Homeowner’s Guide to Lot Grading and Drainage contains information that can help you identify how your property is part of the overall drainage in your neighbourhood, look for any problems and properly upgrade, repair or maintain your home’s lot grading and drainage system. This booklet is filled with practical drainage tips and projects that you can do yourself.

PLEASE NOTE: It is important for you to consult the Municipality before modifying any drainage swales on your property. 

The Homeowner's Guide to Lot Grading and Drainage

The Purpose of Municipal Drains:

Municipal drains have been a fixture of rural Ontario's infrastructure since the 1800’s. Most municipal drains were constructed to improve the drainage of agricultural land by serving as the discharge point for private agricultural tile drainage systems. However, they also remove excess water collected by roadside ditches, residential lots, churches, schools, industrial lands, commercial lands and any other properties in rural areas. They are a vital component of the local infrastructure. Without them, many areas of the province would be subjected to regular flooding, reduced production from agricultural land and increased public health risks.

For more information on Municipal Drains, Click Here 

Lorne Franklin, LET, CET, rcca Drainage Services, 

Tel: (613) 592-6060 x 123 Cell: (613) 791-1335 Email:Lfranklin@rcii.com

 The Official Plan determines:

• Where new housing, industry, offices, and shops will be located;
• What services like roads, watermains, sewers, parks, and schools will be needed;
• When and How parts of your community will grow;
• Community improvement initiatives. 

The Official Plan is a high-level policy document. The policies are implemented through zoning, minor variances, site plan control, plans of subdivision, severance, local improvement strategies, and more detailed secondary planning processes.

• Official Plan Amendment Forms and Information
  • Official Plan Highlight Sheet
  • Application

For a list of the most current Planning Fees and Charges please click on the link below:

• 2026 Planning and Engineering Fees and Charges

A consent to sever is a process to permit land division. Consent to sever (also known as severance) is under the authority of the County of Lanark’s Land Division Committee. The consent of the County’s Land Division Committee is required in order to create a new lot or lots, establish rights-of-ways or easements, mortgage a portion of a property, discharge a mortgage over a portion of a property or enter into a lease for a period of 21 years or more.

Consent Forms and information

• • Consent Inquiry Form
  • Lanark County Website - Forms and Fees for Consents
  • Consents Highlight Sheet
  • Conditional Approval of Severance
  • Security Release Guide
  • Statutory Declaration Template

Site Plan Control is a tool that is used to make sure that land development is designed appropriately, safe, functional and minimizes potential impacts on neighbouring properties. It also makes sure that the municipal standards for development are followed.

• Site Plan Forms and Information
  • Site Plan Control Highlight Sheet
  • Application
  • Pre-Consultation Request Form
  • Site Plan Control By-law 22-041
  • Site Plan Control By-law 22-055
  • Site Plan Control Guidelines
  • Certificate of Insurance Example
  • Applicants Checklist for Site Plan Agreement Registration
  • Security Release Guide
  • Statutory Declaration Template

A Plan of Subdivision is a method of dividing land into two or more parcels or lots so that those parcels or lots can be held in separate ownership. The approval process is governed by Section 51 of the Planning Act and includes consideration of where streets, parks and dwellings will be located. The plan must also address servicing issues related to storm and sanitary sewers and protection of natural features such as woodlots or watercourses.

Approval of Subdivisions is under the authority of Lanark County. For a full list of active subdivision applications within Lanark County, including ones within Mississippi Mills, please visit the County's website or visit our Active Planning Notices for more information on active subdivision applications within Mississippi Mills. Please also refer to the subdivision process flow to understand the steps in the subdivision process. 

• Subdivision Process Flow - What comes next?

Source water protection (or 'source protection') safeguards public health from drinking water threats by raising awareness and protecting the drinking water supply. Municipalities must implement source protection plans to protect existing and future municipal drinking water sources from various threats.

If the property is located within a source water protection area, a source water screening form is required initially, as part of a planning application submission. Once submitted planning staff will review the screening form and advise the applicant of the next steps. 

• Source Water Protection Checklist

• Telecommunications Tower and Antenna Citing Review Protocol
• FAQ for Telecommunication and Antenna Systems

Zoning can permit land to be used for agricultural, residential, industrial, commercial and other uses. Zoning can also include a specific set of regulations (called provisions) that shape development by setting limits, such as:

• the location of the building on the property;
• the height of the building;
• the number of parking spaces required.

Zoning cannot regulate who lives in a building. Zoning also cannot determine if a proposed development is owner-occupied or rented.

• Zoning  By-Law Amendment  Forms and Information

  • Zoning By-law Amendment Highlight Sheet
  • Application
  • Pre-Consultation Request Form