Planning and Development – City of Sarnia

Development Applications

Rezoning, Official Plan Amendments, Site Plan Control, Committee of Adjustment Applications…….

Active Planning Applications

View information on active planning applications received by the City of Sarnia.

Invest Sarnia

Centrally located on the Ontario-Michigan border, Sarnia is within a 1-day drive of 65% of the US market. The Sarnia-Lambton area has a rich history as the birthplace of commercial oil in North America and it remains one of the largest petrochemical complexes in Canada.

Community Improvement Plans

The City of Sarnia has adopted a the following Community Improvement Plans (CIP). A CIP is a planning tool to […]

Zoning By-law Document

The Zoning By-law establishes and regulates the use of land by implementing the policies of the City’s Official Plan.

Official Plan Document

The Official Plan outlines the objectives and policies to guide the short-term and long-term physical development of all lands within the City.

Home Based Businesses

A Home Occupation is an occupation or business conducted as a secondary use for gain or profit within a dwelling unit and/or a permitted accessory structure on the same lot.

Short-Term Accommodations (STA)

Please be advised that in any residential zone, the Short-Term Accommodation may only be permitted in a principal residence of the […]

Secondary Dwelling Units

A Secondary Dwelling Units (2019) information brochure was prepared by the City of Sarnia Community Development Services and Standards Department.

Zoning and Building Compliance Certificate

The City’s response to a request for a zoning and building compliance certificate will include sufficient information to allow a solicitor to satisfy themselves with respect to permitted uses and minimum setbacks.

Research Request, Permitted Use and Zoning Letter

Planning Research Requests, Permitted Use and Zoning Letters are usually requested to provide information to mortgage lenders, provincial agencies, environmental […]

Building Permit Statistics

Updated monthly building permit statistics.

Planning & Building Department Fees

Planning Application and Building Permit Fees are contained within the Fees for Services By-law.

Development Charges

The general purpose of Development Charges is to impose development charges on lands located in the municipality under development/redevelopment to pay for the increased capital costs of services.

Civic Web

Civic Web is the City of Sarnia’s online governance resource portal. It can be used to access City Council’s agenda, […]

Municipal Addressing

The City’s response to a request for a zoning and building compliance certificate will include sufficient information to allow a solicitor to satisfy themselves with respect to permitted uses and minimum setbacks.

Residential Development Pipeline

You can use our Residential Development Pipeline Dashboard to review Council-approved planning applications for residential development.

Planning Initiatives