Minor Variance
The Town of Saugeen Shores allows for small changes to be made to the Zoning By-law through a Minor Variance application. You can follow this process if you wish to use your property in a way that does not meet current zoning regulations.
Minor Variances may be made for small issues, such as changes to:
- Building setbacks
- Parking requirements
- Property structures (i.e., building a new deck or garage)
Major revisions, such as land use changes or large increases in development densities, must apply for a Zoning By-law Amendment.
Applications for either a Minor Variance or Zoning By-law Amendment are administered by the County of Bruce Planning Department.
Decision-making process
The Town of Saugeen Shores' Committee of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial body appointed by Council under the Planning Act to make decisions on the following planning applications:
- Minor variances that request minor site-specific amendments to the Zoning By-law; and
- Sign variances that request minor site-specific amendments to the Sign By-law.
| Current Committee Members |
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| 2024 Meeting Schedule |
| The Committee of Adjustment meets on the third Monday of the month at the Nuclear Innovation Institute (620 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin), as required. If Monday is a holiday, the meeting is held on Tuesday. Find upcoming meetings in our calendar of meetings. |
| Previous Meeting Recordings |
| All Committee of Adjustment meetings are recorded and can be viewed on the Town's YouTube channel. |
| Agendas and Minutes |
| View the Committee agendas and minutes using the Council Calendar. |
| Participating in a Hearing |
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Hearings are open to the public and members of the public may attend hearings in-person or virtually. In person: Hearings are held at the Nuclear Innovation Institution (NII) located at 620 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin. Registration is not required to participate prior to a hearing. Virtually: Anyone wishing to speak to the Committee of Adjustment virtually via ZOOM must register by contacting the Secretary Treasurer at 519-832-2008 ext. 163 or email building@saugeenshores.ca no later than 12 p.m. (noon) on the day of the meeting. When your registration is received, a confirmation message and instructions for participating in the virtual public meeting will be provided.
All submitted information becomes public. Be aware that, in accordance with the Planning Act, the Municipal Act and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, all information presented to the Committee of Adjustment is considered public information and can be shared with any interested individual. Information you choose to disclose in your correspondence and during the hearing, including your personal information, will become part of the public record, and shared with Committee Members, the Applicant(s) or their agent and any other interested individual. |
Help with zoning questions
If you are not sure whether your proposed project involves a Minor Variance or Zoning By-law Amendment, please contact Development Services.