Community Planning Permit System

At a Glance

The County of Brant is modernizing its entire zoning framework through the introduction of a new Community Planning Permit System (CPPS). This new system combines several approval processes into one streamlined process and ensuring community needs are at the heart of every decision.

The Details

The County of Brant is creating a new Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) to guide how land is used and developed in our community.

Right now, development applications such as zoning changes, minor variances, and site plans are handled through separate processes. The CPPS will bring these into one clear and streamlined

At a Glance

The County of Brant is modernizing its entire zoning framework through the introduction of a new Community Planning Permit System (CPPS). This new system combines several approval processes into one streamlined process and ensuring community needs are at the heart of every decision.

The Details

The County of Brant is creating a new Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) to guide how land is used and developed in our community.

Right now, development applications such as zoning changes, minor variances, and site plans are handled through separate processes. The CPPS will bring these into one clear and streamlined process. This means applications can be reviewed more efficiently, with fewer steps, while ensuring that community needs remain the top priority throughout the process.

The CPPS will help the County:

  • Support the goals of the County’s Official Plan.
  • Secure community benefits such as space for community facilities, parks, open spaces, and affordable housing options as a condition of the Community Planning Permit application.
  • Protect our environment, cultural heritage, and archaeological sites.
  • Provide greater flexibility in development standards.
  • Encourage attractive, well-designed development.

In short, the CPPS will make the planning process easier to understand and more flexible, while making sure that community needs and values guide the way our County grows and changes. This is a major change to localize how development decisions are made, which is why we're inviting all residents, property owners, and businesses to learn more, ask questions and share feedback. Together, we can build a community planning permit system that supports growth while preserving what makes Brant unique.

Real-life examples

View these real-life examples of the current development approval process versus the new proposed CPPS.

View the CPPS Process Vs. Typical Development Approval Process.

Stay Informed

News feed: The Newsfeed is where you’ll find the latest updates about this project. It helps keep you informed about progress, upcoming opportunities to participate, important decisions, and more.

Subscribe for updates and be the first to get updates. Simply add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click ‘Subscribe'.

FAQs

We have included a list of frequently asked questions to help answer some questions you may have.

  • Thank you for your feedback. Here's what we heard and what's next.

    Thank you to everyone who participated in the Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) engagement!

    Between September 2025 and March 2026, we provided several opportunities to learn about the new proposed CPPS and share your feedback. This included an online survey, educational videos, and open house sessions in St. George, Paris, Cainsville, and Burford.

    More than 65 residents attended the open houses and 59 surveys were submitted.

    What We Heard

    Across both the survey and open house discussions, several key messages were shared by participants and attendees.

    Development should fit the community

    You said that new development should reflect the character and scale of the surrounding area. You also emphasized that projects should consider local context, including existing neighbourhoods, farmland, and natural features.

    Protect natural areas and farmland

    Frequently highlighted the importance of protecting forests, rivers, woodlots, and agricultural lands, you told us that development proposals affecting these areas should receive careful review.

    Clear communication and early notice are important

    You shared that you want to be informed early when development is proposed in your community and expressed interest in clear explanations of projects as well as opportunities to ask questions and provide input before decisions are made.

    Focus on meaningful community benefits

    You shared ideas about how development can contribute to the community. Examples included parks and open spaces, community facilities, housing options for different life stages, and services that support everyday needs.

    A planning system that is clear and easy to understand

    Many of you have participated in development applications in the past and said the process can be complex or difficult to navigate. You supported creating a system that is easier to understand while still ensuring that large-scale and higher impact proposals receive appropriate review.

    View the complete Survey Responses Report.

    What’s Next

    The feedback gathered through the survey and open houses will help inform the development of the County’s CPPS and the CPP Bylaw.

    As the framework continues to be refined, additional opportunities will be provided for you to review proposed zoning, development standards, and other components of the CPPS. Updates and future engagement opportunities will continue to be shared on this page.

    If you would like to receive updates about this project, simply add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click ‘Subscribe'.

    Thank you to everyone who participated in the Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) engagement!

    Between September 2025 and March 2026, we provided several opportunities to learn about the new proposed CPPS and share your feedback. This included an online survey, educational videos, and open house sessions in St. George, Paris, Cainsville, and Burford.

    More than 65 residents attended the open houses and 59 surveys were submitted.

    What We Heard

    Across both the survey and open house discussions, several key messages were shared by participants and attendees.

    Development should fit the community

    You said that new development should reflect the character and scale of the surrounding area. You also emphasized that projects should consider local context, including existing neighbourhoods, farmland, and natural features.

    Protect natural areas and farmland

    Frequently highlighted the importance of protecting forests, rivers, woodlots, and agricultural lands, you told us that development proposals affecting these areas should receive careful review.

    Clear communication and early notice are important

    You shared that you want to be informed early when development is proposed in your community and expressed interest in clear explanations of projects as well as opportunities to ask questions and provide input before decisions are made.

    Focus on meaningful community benefits

    You shared ideas about how development can contribute to the community. Examples included parks and open spaces, community facilities, housing options for different life stages, and services that support everyday needs.

    A planning system that is clear and easy to understand

    Many of you have participated in development applications in the past and said the process can be complex or difficult to navigate. You supported creating a system that is easier to understand while still ensuring that large-scale and higher impact proposals receive appropriate review.

    View the complete Survey Responses Report.

    What’s Next

    The feedback gathered through the survey and open houses will help inform the development of the County’s CPPS and the CPP Bylaw.

    As the framework continues to be refined, additional opportunities will be provided for you to review proposed zoning, development standards, and other components of the CPPS. Updates and future engagement opportunities will continue to be shared on this page.

    If you would like to receive updates about this project, simply add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click ‘Subscribe'.

  • Share your thoughts about the Community Planning Permit System and join us at an open house to learn more!

    We’ve heard concerns about growth, development, and how difficult the planning process can be. Now we want your feedback about the proposed new Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) that will:

    • Make planning rules easier to understand
    • Provide more predictability for property owners and builders
    • Support a faster and more responsive planning approvals process
    • Help secure community benefits like parks and heritage protection

    View these real-life example videos of the current development approval process versus the new proposed CPPS.

    Share your thoughts

    Complete the survey by Tuesday, March 3, 2026

    We’ve heard concerns about growth, development, and how difficult the planning process can be. Now we want your feedback about the proposed new Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) that will:

    • Make planning rules easier to understand
    • Provide more predictability for property owners and builders
    • Support a faster and more responsive planning approvals process
    • Help secure community benefits like parks and heritage protection

    View these real-life example videos of the current development approval process versus the new proposed CPPS.

    Share your thoughts

    Complete the survey by Tuesday, March 3, 2026


    Attend an open house

    Prefer to speak with staff and learn more about this project in person? You're invited to join us at our upcoming open houses to learn more about this project, ask questions, and share your thoughts on the CPPS and draft CPP Bylaw:

    • Monday, February 23, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Gaukel Memorial Community Centre, 7 Gaukel Drive in St. George
    • Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Brant Sports Complex, Lafarge Hall, 944 Powerline Road in Paris
    • Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the TF Warren Group Cainsville Community Centre, 15 Ewart Avenue in Cainsville
    • Monday, March 2, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Burford Community Centre, 14 Potter Drive in Burford


    You're invited to join the online Community Conversations Forum

    This is your opportunity to discuss development challenges, community-focused design, planning for community needs such as housing, public engagement, and what makes a complete community.

    By participating, you can:

    • Share what matters most to you in how our communities grow.
    • Learn from the perspectives of your neighbours.
    • Offer solutions and ideas to help shape future planning decisions.


    Join the conversation until March 3, 2026.

  • Join the CPPS Community Conversations Forum

    The County of Brant has launched a Community Conversations Forum as part of the Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) project, and we want to hear from you!

    The forum is an open discussion space where residents and community partners can share their experiences, ideas, and perspectives about how land is developed in the County.

    Here, you can:

    • Comment on the discussion questions posted by the County.
    • Respectfully respond to other participants’ contributions.
    • Like or support comments you agree with.


    This is your opportunity to discuss development challenges, community-focused design, planning for community needs such as housing, public engagement

    The County of Brant has launched a Community Conversations Forum as part of the Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) project, and we want to hear from you!

    The forum is an open discussion space where residents and community partners can share their experiences, ideas, and perspectives about how land is developed in the County.

    Here, you can:

    • Comment on the discussion questions posted by the County.
    • Respectfully respond to other participants’ contributions.
    • Like or support comments you agree with.


    This is your opportunity to discuss development challenges, community-focused design, planning for community needs such as housing, public engagement, and what makes a complete community.


    By participating, you can:

    • Share what matters most to you in how our communities grow.
    • Learn from the perspectives of your neighbours.
    • Offer solutions and ideas to help shape future planning decisions.


    Respectful Participation

    We encourage open and honest conversation, but ask that everyone:

    • Be respectful of different opinions and experiences.
    • Keep comments constructive and on topic.
    • Avoid personal, offensive, or hateful remarks. Remarks such as these will be removed.


    Your feedback will help ensure that the CPPS reflects the values and needs of residents, while supporting clear, transparent, and community-focused planning in the County of Brant.


    Join the conversation

  • Trends and Issues Report to be presented to Council on Tuesday, October 14

    The County of Brant is beginning work on a new Community Planning Permit System (CPPS), a tool that will make the development process clearer, faster, and easier to navigate. Most importantly, this new system will put community needs at the centre of every decision, ensuring that growth in the County reflects our shared values and vision for the future.

    With the project planning and background review (Phase 1) underway, a Trends and Issues Report will be presented to Council at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14 at County of Brant Council Chambers, 7 Broadway Street West, Paris.

    This report will

    The County of Brant is beginning work on a new Community Planning Permit System (CPPS), a tool that will make the development process clearer, faster, and easier to navigate. Most importantly, this new system will put community needs at the centre of every decision, ensuring that growth in the County reflects our shared values and vision for the future.

    With the project planning and background review (Phase 1) underway, a Trends and Issues Report will be presented to Council at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14 at County of Brant Council Chambers, 7 Broadway Street West, Paris.

    This report will provide more detailed information regarding the existing challenges in the County’s development approval processes, share lessons learned from other municipalities, and offer recommendations for how the County can move forward with its own CPP bylaw.

    Council meetings are open to the public and can also be viewed on the County of Brant's YouTube channel at brant.ca/Live.

Page last updated: 15 Apr 2026, 12:58 PM