Township of Severn's Planning and Development department provides land use planning guidance and advice to our community, Council, landowners and developers. We administer the Official Plan, Zoning By-law and development approval process.

Planning and development applications

Learn how to submit a planning and development application for a variety of new development projects:

Notice of Public Meetings

Stay up-to-date on opportunities to participate in public meetings for matters related to planning and land use. 

Wednesday, March 20: Site Alteration and Fill By-law update, and new Tree Conservation By-law

About the proposal

Severn is considering updates to our Site Alteration and Fill By-law (2011-23, as amended), and the development of a new, site-specific Tree Conservation By-law, in accordance with Sections 135 and 142 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25. Information from members of the public will help guide and inform the development of the proposed by-laws. 

Details of the Public Meeting and in-person Open House

Severn will be conducting a non-statutory Public Meeting in hybrid format and an in-person Open House on March 20 to seek comments and feedback from members of the public on this proposal. A decision will not be made at the Public Meeting or in-person Open House. Details regarding opportunities to participate are included below.

View the Notice of Public Meeting and In-person Open House

 Meeting #1: Public Meeting at 9:00 a.m.

The Township will be hosting a non-statutory Public Meeting in front of members of the Planning and Development Committee on March 20, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format.

How to participate

This non-statutory Public Meeting will be held in a hybrid format.

Options to participate include:

  1. virtual attendance via the Zoom meeting link (advance registration is required either by emailing planning@severn.ca or by calling 705-325-2315 x246)
  2. watch the meeting online on our livestream or on our YouTube channel
  3. attend the meeting in-person at our Administration Office (1024 Hurlwood Lane) (advance registration is required either by emailing planning@severn.ca or by calling 705-325-2315 x246). 
 Meeting #2: In-person Open House at 6:00 p.m.

The Township will be hosting an in-person Open House to invite members of the public to ask questions and seek additional information regarding the proposal from the Township’s Planning Consultants MHBC Planning, Azimuth Environmental, and Township staff on March 20, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. The Open House will be held in Council Chambers at the Township’s Administration Office (1024 Hurlwood Lane). 

How to participate

Pre-registration is not required. For more information, please view the Notice of Public Meeting and In-person Open House, email the Planning department, or call 705-325-2315 x246

Wednesday, February 21: Zoning By-law Amendment to establish provisions for Floating Accommodations

Severn will be holding a virtual Public Meeting as part of the Planning and Development Committee meeting on Wednesday, February 21 at 9:00 a.m. to consider a Zoning By-law Amendment under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990. Learn more on our Floating Accommodations page.

View the full Notice of Public Meeting

Development charges

Township of Severn development charges apply to residential land that has been vacant for three or more years. The Simcoe County District School Board, the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, and County of Simcoe development charges apply to residential land that has been vacant for five or more years. Development charges assist in financing the long-term capital and operating costs for the infrastructure required to provide municipal services to the new development, including:

  • development related studies
  • long term care and seniors services
  • paramedic services
  • public works
  • roads and related maintenance
  • social housing
  • transit
  • waste management

You may need to pay development charges for new residential units or commercial, industrial and institutional floor space. These charges are paid at the time a building or planning permit is issued. View our Development Charges Background Study.

Municipal wide development charges
ServiceSingle and semi-detached dwellingsApartments with two or more bedroomsApartments and bachelors with one bedroomResidential with other multiplesSpecial care unitsNon-residential per square foot of gross floor area

Municipal-wide 'hard services'

Highways

$3,550

$2,296

$1,583

$3,168

$1,442

$2.39

Fire protection

$1,346

$871

$601

$1,201

$546

$0.91

Administration essential services

$232

$150

$103

$207

$94

$0.17

Total 'hard services' charges

$5,128

$3,317

$2,287

$4,576

$2,082

$3.47

Municipal-wide 'soft services'

Outdoor recreation

$981

$634

$437

$876

$398

$0.27

Indoor recreation

$2,917

$1,887

$1,301

$2,604

$1,185

$0.78

Library

$222

$144

$99

$198

$91

$0.06

Administration community services

$358

$232

$159

$319

$145

$0.25

Total 'soft services' charges

$4,478

$2,897

$1,996

$3,997

$1,819

$1.36

Total charges (hard and soft services)

 $9,606  $6,214  $4,283 $8,573  $3,901  $4.83
Area specific development charges
ServiceSingle and semi-detached dwellingsApartments with two or more bedroomsApartments and bachelors with one bedroomResidential with other multiplesSpecial care unitsNon-residential per square foot of gross floor area

Westshore water

$900

$583

$401

$804

$366

$0.55

Westshore wastewater

$10,007

$6,472

$4,465

$8,930

$4,066

$6.01

Westshore total

$10,907

$7,055

$4,866

$9,734

$4,432

$6.56

Coldwater wastewater

$15,593

$10,086

$6,959

$13,917

$6,337

$8.12

Severn Estates water

$17,580

$11,372

$7,845

$15,691

$7,144

n/a

Areas not receiving wastewater services septic and hauled treatment

$102

$66

$46

$91

$42

$0.14

Addressing

Contact us if you have an issue with your current address, for example if:

  • your address on Simcoe Maps is wrong
  • you currently have a water access address and recently got private road access
  • you don't know your address
  • you don't have a green address sign
  • Canada Post or a utility isn't recognizing your address

We work with the County of Simcoe to maintain the 911 addressing system.