Business

When you apply for a business license, you must first meet all building, zoning and fire department regulations. The Waterloo Regional Health Unit must also approve some specialized business, such as:

• Hair salons
• Aestheticians
• Businesses where food products are prepared or sold
• Tattoo parlours
• Refreshment canteen, ice cream and food truck vehicles

There are six types of Site Plan Applications in the City of Cambridge. Site Plan Application and Related Fees are available here. The following is a general guideline for these types of applications: 

• Type A: Major/Complex Site Plan Application. This application involves new development or changes to an existing development. It involves one or more of the following major criteria: Special Technical Study (ie. Traffic Impact Study, Environmental Impact Study), Phased Approval, Easement, Special Agreement, Multiple Buildings, Mixed Use Building, Medium or High Density Development, Industrial Mall or Business Park, and/or Minister’s Zoning Order. A new or amended site plan agreement is required.

• Type B: Standard Site Plan Application. This application involves new development or changes to an existing development and does not involve any of the major criteria for Major / Complex Site Plan Applications. For additions, the existing development has no existing site plan approval, and the addition is not considered a “small change”, which generally means development resulting in no more than a 25% increase in dwelling units or new building floor area. A new or amended site plan agreement is required.

• Type C: Minor Site Plan Application. This application involves changes to an existing development. The application involves:
  • none of the major criteria for Major / Complex Site Plan Applications;
  • has no pre-existing site plan approval, and
  • is considered a “small change”, which generally means development resulting in no more than a 25% increase in dwelling units or new building floor area.

      A new site plan agreement may be required.

• Type D: Site Plan Amendment Application. This application involves changes to an existing development. The application involves:
  • none of the major criteria for Major / Complex Site Plan Applications; and 
  • has a pre-existing site plan approval, and
  • is considered a “small change”, which generally means development resulting in no more than a 25% increase in dwelling units or new building floor area.

      An amendment to the existing site plan agreement may be required.

• Type E: Redline Site Plan Application. This application involves changes to an existing development, where such changes do not meet the definition of “development” from Section 41 of the Planning Act. The Site has previously approved plans, and a site plan agreement registered on title, requiring approval from the City prior to making changes.  An amendment to the existing site plan agreement is not required.

• Type F: Telecommunications Tower Application: This application involves the submission of plans for a new telecommunication tower facility. The plans are circulated and reviewed by the City of Cambridge and External Agencies; however final approval is granted by the Federal Government. A site plan agreement is not required.

If you are unsure which type of site plan application is required for your project, consult with Planning Staff by contacting planning@cambridge.ca.  

The following is a simplified outline of the steps in the Site Plan Approval process: 

 Submit a Site Plan Pre-consultation Application through the City's Online Application Portal

• A pre-consultation is an informal process intended to give applicants a list of minimum submission requirements for the formal site plan application. Applicants receive preliminary feedback from staff on a wide range of matters, including overall site design and function, zoning compliance, servicing, grading and drainage, landscaping, building code considerations, accessibility, environmental and heritage considerations.  Applicants also receive feedback from external agencies, such as the Grand River Conservation Authority, Grand Bridge Energy, and the Ministry of Transportation, where applicable. 
• A pre-consultation application is recommended but not required. As of January 1, 2025, where the applicant has not completed a pre-consultation, a higher fee will be payable for the formal application.

Visit the online application system now

2. Submit a Site Plan Application through the City's Online Application Portal

• Before applying, Applicants should confirm the type of application they are applying for either with staff directly, or through a preconsultation application. 
• A typical site plan application requires:
  • Cover Letter
  • Payment of Application Fees 
  • Cover Letter
  • Section 59 Notice Source Water Protection
  • Site Plan
  • Building Elevations
  • Floor Plans
  • Photometric (Lighting) Plan & Details
  • Tree Management Plan (where there are trees on the property)
  • Preliminary Landscape Plan & Details
  • Grading Plan
  • Servicing Plan & Details
  • Servicing Report/Brief (may be combined with SWM Report)
  • Stormwater Management Report/Brief (may be combined with Servicing Report/Brief)
  • Construction Management Plan
  • Transportation Impact Study Screening Form 
  • Other Technical Studies and Plans as required
• The City aims to issue site plan approval within the 60 day timeline given by the Planning Act. To achieve this, the City has a requirement that all site plan applications can only be accepted where: 
  • The development is zoning compliant; and 
  • The development is on a parcel of land that is already created, and does not require severance, consolidation, or registration of a subdivision. 
• Common delays on site plan applications relates to the conveyance of road widenings, the registration of easements and the registration of agreements necessary for the functioning of the development. Applicants are strongly advised to initiate these processes prior to submission of a site plan application. 

A Regional Review fee of $805 may be applicable where a property is adjacent to a Regional Road.

Fee Payment Options: 

City Application Fees can be paid in one of the following ways:

• Online payments should be made for fees under $10,000. Please visit the Online Application Portal and select Make a Payment to pay with your invoice number using VISA or MASTERCARD. Please note there is a 1.75% service fee.
• In Person payments can be made in the form of a certified cheque or bank draft (for payments over $5,000), cash, debit or cheque ( for payments up to and including $5,000).  Payments are accepted at the Service Cambridge Desk located on the ground floor of City Hall at 50 Dickson Street.  If you are paying an invoice, please bring a copy of the invoice.  
• Mail or courier payments to pay (payable to the City of Cambridge, with the file # listed beside Notes):

Cambridge City Hall
Attn: Development Planning
50 Dickson Street
P.O. Box 669
Cambridge, ON N1R 5W8

Design Standards

• Engineering Standards and Development Manual

Official Plan, Zoning By-law, Secondary Plan Documents

• City of Cambridge Official Plan
• City of Cambridge Zoning By-law

Access Permits

* Fee is $500 per permit. 

* Submit Application Form, Detailed Driveway Layout Plan/Site Plan, and Fee in person to Service Cambridge (1st Floor, City Hall, 50 Dickson Street).