Site Plan Approval Process

When is Site Plan Approval required?

The entire City has been designated a Site Plan Control Area through Site Plan Control By-law 20-060, further amended through Site Plan Control By-law 21-057.  The following information is provided to clarify where site plan approval is required and where it is not. If you are unclear about whether site plan approval is required, please contact planning@cambridge.ca and include the municipal address of the property and a description of the project. 

Site Plan Approval is required for the following:

1. Construction of a new residential building containing 4 to 10 units on a single parcel of land where

• any part of the parcel is within the Prescribed Area; and
• the parcel contains no other land uses, and no more than 10 units total; and
• the building/property does not fall under the exceptions below.   

     (per Site Plan per O Reg 254/23 and Section 41 (1.2) of the Planning Act)

2. Construction of a Linear (Street Fronting) Townhouse Dwelling where:

• a zoning by-law amendment, registration of the Plan of Subdivision, or registration of the phase with the plan of subdivision, and/or registration of a plan of condominium has been approved for the property more than 2 years before the issuance of a building permit for the development.  (per Site Plan Control By-law 20-060 and Planning Act Section 41 (1.2)); and
• any part of the parcel is within the Prescribed Area 

     (per Site Plan per O Reg 254/23 and Section 41 (1.2) of the Planning Act)

3. Construction of a new building containing commercial, industrial, institutional (including schools, with except for the exemption in #9 and #10 listed below), mixed-uses (residential and non-residential) and residential buildings containing more than 10 units. (per Planning Act definition of development and Sections 41 (1.2) and 62.0.2)

 4. Alterations to an existing residential building on a single parcel of land where:

• at least 1 new unit is created; and,
• any part of the parcel is within the Prescribed Area; and,
• the parcel contains no other land uses, and no more than 10 units total. 

    (per Site Plan per O Reg 254/23 and Section 41 (1.2) of the Planning Act)

5. Alterations to existing buildings containing commercial, industrial, institutional (including schools), mixed-uses (residential and non-residential) buildings which has the effect of increasing non-residential floor area;

(per Planning Act definition of “development”)

6. The laying out and establishment of a commercial parking lot. (per Planning Act definition of “development”)

7. The laying out of a site for three or more trailers or mobile homes.  (per Planning Act definition of “development”)

8. Construction of any of the following building types within the Area shown below (per Site Plan Control By-law 21-057, Schedules D and D-1):

•  Single detached dwellings
• Semi-detached dwellings
• Detached triplexes

*This includes the construction of an attached or detached additional residential units.

9.  Modifications to a site which is not captured under scenarios 1 to 8 above, but requires changes to previously approved site plans. (per site plan agreement)

For additional clarity Site Plan Approval is NOT required (is exempt) for the following:

1. Any development within the Open Space Designation in the Official Plan (per Site Plan Control By-law 20-060)
2. Single detached dwellings (per Site Plan Control By-law 20-060)  - exception see #8 above. 
3. Semi-detached dwellings (per Site Plan Control By-law 20-060) - exception see #8 above. 
4. Detached duplexes (per Site Plan Control By-law 20-060)
5. Detached triplex (per Site Plan Control By-law 20-060) - exception see #8 above. 
6. Linear Townhouse Dwelling where a zoning by-law amendment, registration of the Plan of Subdivision, or registration of the phase with the plan of subdivision, and/or registration of a plan of condominium has been approved for the property within 2 years of the issuance of a building permit for the development (per Site Plan Control By-law 20-060)
7. Construction of a new residential building containing 4 to 10 units on a single parcel of land where:

• the parcel is wholly outside of the Prescribed Area; and
• the parcel contains no other land uses, and no more than 10 units total; and 

    (per Site Plan per O Reg 254/23 and Section 41 (1.2) of the Planning Act)

 8. Alterations to an existing residential building on a single parcel of land where:

• at least 1 new unit is created and now 4 to 10 units are proposed; and
• the parcel is wholly outside of the Prescribed Area; and
• the parcel contains no other land uses, and no more than 10 units total. 

    (per Site Plan per O Reg 254/23 and Section 41 (1.2) of the Planning Act)

 9. Any new construction undertaken by Conestoga College, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Waterloo, or any other publically assisted universities defined by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act, and any Colleges and universities federated or affiliated with a publically assisted university.  (per Section 62.0.2 (1) and (2) of the Planning Act and confirmed by the Minister of Housing).

 10. The placement of a portable classroom on a school site of a district school board.  (per Section 41 (1.1) of the Planning Act)

What type of Site Plan Application is required? 

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.  

What are the steps in the Site Plan Approval Process? How do I apply?

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

1.  Submit a Site Plan Preconsultation 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
  • Arborist Report & Tree Management Plan
  • Landscape Plan & Details
  • Grading Plan
  • Servicing Plan & Details
  • Servicing Report/Brief
  • Stormwater Management Report/Brief 
  • Construction Management Plan
  • 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 other agreements and securing the financial and legal documents.  Applicants are strongly advised to initiate these processes prior to submission of a site plan application. 

Visit the online application system now

3. A Development Planner will be assigned to your application, and will confirm completeness and acceptance. 

 4. Complete applications are circulated to internal staff and external agencies for review and comment. 

 5. The Development Planner will prepare and circulate a consolidated comment record to the Applicant, with directions on next steps. 

 6. Where a new or amending site plan agreement is required, the City will prepare the agreement and may require the following from the Applicant: 

• Liability Insurance
• Cost Estimate of Site Works & Financial Requirement
• Letter of Credit
• Surety Bond
• Postponements of Interest

 7. Once the plans require no further changes, and all other technical and legal requirements are satisfied, the site plan agreement (if required) will be signed by all parties.  The final site of plans are signed by the Chief Planner to grant final site plan approval. 

 8. The site plan agreement is registered on title to the property immediately following site plan approval.  

Regional Fees: 

Please confirm with the Region what fees may be applicable.  https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/doing-business/applications.aspx 

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.
• 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

Useful Resources

SITE PLAN AGREEMENT DOCUMENTS

• Schedule E (Cost Estimate), D (Financial Summary), and F (Letter of Credit Template)
• Surety Bond Template
• Letter of Credit Template
• Insurance Requirements & Example

DESIGN STANDARDS

• Driveway Access - Number and Location Standards
• Driveway Access - Layout and Design Standards
• Engineering Standards and Development Manual
• Policy for Multiple Unit Identification (MUI) Signs
• Private Property Parking Sign Specifications

OFFICIAL PLAN, ZONING BY-LAW, SECONDARY PLAN DOCUMENTS

• City of Cambridge Official Plan
• City of Cambridge Zoning By-law
• Cambridge West Secondary Plan
• River Road Secondary Plan

DESIGN GUIDELINES

• Downtown Urban Design Guidelines (Galt Core Area) 
• Main Street Urban Design Guidelines (Main St in Galt) 
• Streetscape Plan & Urban Design Guidelines (Hespeler Village) 
• Streetscape Plan & Urban Design Guidelines (Preston Town Centre) 
• Urban Design Guidelines for Cambridge West
• Industrial Areas Design Guidelines

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).  

• Residential Access Permit Application Form
• Commercial/Industrial Access Permit Application Form