Notice of Public Meeting: Proposed Official Plan amendment. Municipally initiated changes (3 amendments)

Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Time: 6:00 pm

Location: County of Brant Council Chambers (7 Broadway Street West, Paris)

The meeting can also be viewed online on the County of Brant YouTube Channel at brant.ca/Live.

Topics: Home-Based Business & Industry, Cultural Heritage & Agricultural Systems

Project File Number: OPA3-BCD-25

Staff Contact: Brandon Kortleve, Manager of Policy Planning

What is this about?

The County of Brant is proposing three (3) amendments to its Official Plan, A Simply Grand Plan, 2023, under Sections 17 and 22 of the Planning Act.

  1. Home-Based Business and Industry Policies - The amendment introduces detailed policies for home-based businesses and home-based industries, including definitions, size limits, compatibility requirements, screening expectations, and rural-specific criteria. It clarifies the relationship to On-Farm Diversified Uses and includes a definition of Outdoor Storage. This amendment applies county-wide. Click here to view this proposed official plan amendment.
  2. Cultural Heritage Policies - This amendment updates cultural heritage policies to better align with the County’s Arts, Culture, and Heritage Strategy. It introduces conservation principles, clarifies processes for evaluation and adaptive reuse, updates terms to align with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024, and reorganizes heritage policies for improved clarity. This amendment applies county-wide. Click here to view this proposed official plan amendment.
  3. Agriculture System Policies - This amendment updates the agricultural system framework, strengthens protection for agricultural land, updates permissions for agriculture-related and on-farm diversified uses, restructures Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) policies, and modernizes rules for lot creation, including surplus farm dwelling severances. This amendment applies only to the agriculture, countryside and rural lands designations. Click here to view this proposed official plan amendment.


How can I learn more and share my feedback?

  • Residents are invited to submit comments or ask questions through this page. We also encourage residents to subscribe for updates by adding your email to the “Stay Informed” box on this page
  • Email:policy@brant.ca
  • Mail/In-Person: 66 Grand River St. N, Paris, ON. N3L 2M2
  • Call us: (519)-442-7268 or 1-(226)-387-9360
  • Fax us: (519)-442-3461