Development Application Guidelines

To ensure development applications meet City requirements and standards, a Terms of Reference have been developed for each study, report or plan to provide clarity on expectations for applicants and provide a standardized framework for City staff to assess an application for evaluation of completeness.

A Terms of References provides a detailed description of each study, report or plan to be submitted, inclusive of when it is required and when it is not required, as well as the contents to be included in the submission.

Although no longer a required step in the development application process, Pre-consultation meetings are useful in determining the relevant information and materials that will apply and the level of detail required, dependent on the scale and complexity of the development proposal. If a pre-consultation meeting is held, the list of essential information and materials to submit will be determined at your pre-consultation meeting. Otherwise, this list will be provided upon initial submission of a development application.

For more information on development application requirements, visit the Development Applications page.

Guidelines:

‭(Hidden)‬ Alphabetical List of Terms of Reference

A 3D Building Massing Model is required for illustrating and reviewing a development proposal in its existing and planned context. The model is integrated into the City’s context model and is used to evaluate the impacts of the scale of the proposed development and its sun/shadow impacts. Staff will use the model to review the application.

Download Terms of Reference

The Accessibility Technical Standards document is a comprehensive document that encompasses the entire spectrum of accessibility requirements to ensure environments are usable by people with disabilities.

Download Terms of Reference for Accessibility Technical Standards

An Air Quality Impact Report is required to determine how a development proposal will affect air quality. This may include emissions from construction, traffic, and any on-site operations. Baseline data, modeling, as well as mitigation measures should also be considered.

Download Terms of Reference for Air Quality Impact Report

An Alternative and Renewable Energy Systems Feasibility Study is required to evaluate whether renewable or low-carbon energy systems are technically and economically viable for the development proposal. The study should identify opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Terms of Reference are being prepared for this study.

An Archaeological Assessment is required to determine if a development proposal will disturb areas of archaeological significance.

For more information about Archaeological Assessments please go to the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism’s resources – Archaeological Assessments.

An Area Plan is required to ensure new development proposals contribute to or enhances the character of the existing community.

Download Terms of Reference for Area Plan

The Community Design Framework (CDG) provides information needed by the applicant when a Secondary Plan study for an area has been initiated. The CDF focuses on the physical design of the community, including the structure of the community and neighbourhoods; principles for street and block patterns, streetscapes, landscapes, and built form; and the creation of an open space network that includes natural features such as valleys and woodlots, stormwater ponds, parks, schools, and other uses.

Please refer to the City of Brampton Community Design Framework.

Download Terms of Reference for Community Design Framework

A Community Energy Plan / Integrated Energy Plan is required to determine how energy will be used and supplied in a development proposal, focusing on ways to reduce energy demand, incorporate renewable energy sources, and improve overall energy efficiency.

Download Terms of Reference for Community Energy Plan / Integrated Energy Plan

A Community Infrastructure Impact Study is required to determine the effect of a development proposal on public services and facilities.

Download Terms of Reference for Community Infrastructure Impact Study

A Concept Site Plan is required to for illustrating the general arrangement of buildings, roads, open space, and infrastructure for a development proposal.

Download Terms of Reference for Concept Site Plan

A Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report is required to determine if a property, or feature, has cultural heritage value and what that value is. The report provides information necessary to make inform decisions based on that cultural heritage value and evaluate them against provincially regulated criteria.

Download Terms of Reference for Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report

The Development Sign Standards outlines the requirements regarding public notification for applications that propose to amend the Official Plan and/or Zoning By-law as well as Plans of Subdivision.

Download Terms of Reference for Development Sign Standards

A Document and Salvage Plan is required when heritage resources are under threat of demolition or significant alteration which may not be able to be conserved and identifies parts of the resources that could potentially be salvaged or reused. The report would also provide recommendations for the reuse of those materials.

Download Terms of Reference for Document and Salvage Plan

The Community Design Guidelines (CDG) provides information needed by the applicant when a Secondary Plan study for an area has been initiated. The CDG is specifically prepared in support of a Block Plan approval with an emphasis on the design process and defining “Special Character Areas” as focal points in the community.

Download Terms of Reference for Concept Site Plan

The Draft Drawing Standards outlines the basic requirements of any copy of a draft plan or technical drawing required in support of a Planning Act related development application such as a Plan of Subdivision, Draft Plan of Condominium, Site Plan, etc.

Download Terms of Reference for Draft Drawing Standards

An Environmental Implementation Report (EIR) and an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) are required to assess the potential environmental impacts of a proposed development, mitigation measures and alternatives to avoid or minimize impacts.

Please refer to the Environmental Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Study.

Download Terms of Reference for Environmental Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Study

A Facility Fit Plan is required to determine how a proposed facility such as a public service (e.g., school or recreation centre), can be physically and functionally integrated into a site.

Terms of Reference are being prepared for this study.

A Financial Impact Study is required to determine the cost of providing municipal services (i.e., water, roads, and waste collection) to a development propose versus the potential revenues it can generate.

Terms of Reference are being prepared for this study.

A Functional Servicing Report (FSR) is required to determine the overall impact of a development proposal on the water and wastewater servicing capacities. The report will also determine any required improvements to the existing infrastructure, and any mitigation measures to minimize negative impacts.

Download Terms of Reference for Functional Servicing Report

Lot grading and drainage plans specify design elevations, surface gradients, lot types, swale locations, rear lot catch basins and other drainage information required for lot grading. A lot grading and drainage plan establishes the water drainage relationship between adjacent properties.

Download Terms of Reference for Grading and Drainage Plan

The Growth Management Staging and Sequencing Strategy is required to identify a proposed growth management strategy to coordinate the staging of growth with necessary infrastructure investments in a specific area.

Download Terms of Reference for Growth Management Staging and Sequencing Strategy

A Heritage Building Protection Plan (HBPP) is required to ensure that reasonable and prudent security measures are evaluated and consistently applied to protect vacant heritage buildings.

A HBPP is also required to ensure that critical stabilization and repair measures, necessary to delay or halt deterioration of building envelope and heritage fabric, are executed in a timely manner – regardless of occupancy status.

Download Terms of Reference for Heritage Building Protection Plan

The Heritage Commemoration Plan is required to outline the commemoration and/or interpretation approaches for a property with cultural heritage value or interest that is subject to alteration or removal, or when a commemorative installation is proposed. The plan will also recommend commemoration measures are to be completed that addresses the property’s cultural heritage value.

Download Terms of Reference for Heritage Commemoration Plan

The Heritage Conservation Plan is required to determine conservation strategies for an identified cultural heritage resource. It will provide the framework for and details of conservation, restoration, and adaptive re-use efforts for a heritage resource that is being retained as part of the redevelopment of a property.

Download Terms of Reference for Heritage Conservation Plan

A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is required to determine the impacts to known and potential heritage resources within a defined area proposed for future development. The assessment results in a report that identifies all heritage resources, provides an evaluation of the significance of the resources, outlines any impact proposed development or site alteration will have on the resources, and makes recommendations toward conservation methods and/or mitigative measures that would minimize impacts to those resources.

For more information about Archaeological Assessments please go to the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism’s resources – Archaeological Assessments.

Download Terms of Reference for Heritage Impact Study and Structural Restoration Plan

A Housing Assessment Report is required to determine existing housing stock and needs in a given area and assesses how the development proposal contributes to housing supply and affordability.

Download Terms of Reference for Housing Assessment Report

A Hydrogeological Report is required to determine the movement and quality of groundwater in and around the development proposal and how the proposal may affect aquifers or groundwater recharge.

Download Terms of Reference for Hydrogeological Report

An Invasive Species Management Plan is required to determine strategies to control or prevent the spread of invasive plant or animal species. The plan should include identification, monitoring, removal, and long-term management actions.

Download Terms of Reference for Invasive Species Management Plan

A Land Use Compatibility Study is required to determine any potential negative impacts based on a proposed development and any existing adjacent land uses.

Download Terms of Reference for Land Use Compatibility Study

The Landscape Digital Standards is the minimum requirements that must be met when a Landscape Plan is submitted for review by the City.

Download Terms of Reference for Landscape Digital Standards

A Market Impact Study is required to determine the market demand and potential impacts of the development proposal.

Download Terms of Reference for Market Impact Study

A Noise Report is required to determine the impacts of noise from transportation sources and/or stationary sources from properties in the vicinity of the proposed development, and also determines the projection of sound resulting from the proposed development onto surrounding land uses.

Download Terms of Reference for Noise/Vibration Study

A Planning Justification Report (PJR) is required to convey the applicant’s perspective on the development proposal and demonstrate how it aligns with applicable planning policies and good planning principles.

Download Terms of Reference for Planning Justification Report

A Sediment/Erosion Control Plan is required to determine how soil erosion and sediment runoff will be controlled during and after construction.

Download Terms of Reference for Erosion and Sediment Control Plan

A Shadow/Sun Study depict the impact of a proposed development as it relates to sun and daylight access to the surrounding area including nearby buildings, public spaces, as well as public and private open spaces. The study must demonstrate that the location and height of a proposed building will not cause undue shadow on the neighbouring lands.

Download Terms of Reference for Shadow/Sun Study

A Stormwater Management (SWM) Report is required to determine the impact of a development proposal on the existing stormwater and drainage system – specifically evaluating the quality and quantity impact of the change to stormwater runoff on existing infrastructure and watercourses.

Download Terms of Reference for Stormwater Management Report

A Subwatershed Study is required to determine natural features, watercourse, drainage patterns and risks such as flooding.

Terms of Reference are being prepared for this study.

A Tableland Tree Assessment is required to evaluate all trees greater than 7 cm diameter to breast height (dbh) to ensure no net loss to Brampton's urban tree canopy, and to facilitate the long-term protection of significant tableland trees.

Download Terms of Reference for Tableland Tree Assessment

A Traffic and Parking Study is required to determine how a development proposal will affect the existing transportation network, including roads, intersections, and pedestrian/bicycle paths as well as any parking implications.

Download Terms of Reference for Traffic and Parking Study

An Urban Design Brief is required to demonstrate how the development proposal meets the principles set out in the City of Brampton’s Development Design Guidelines and seeks to address special criteria and design issues that are not discussed in the applicable guidelines.

Download Terms of Reference for Urban Design Brief

A Wetland Management Plan is required to determine how wetlands on or near a development proposal will be protected, enhanced, or altered where appropriate.

Download Terms of Reference for Wetland Management Plan

A Wind Study is required to for illustrating and reviewing a development proposal and associated wind impacts.

Download Terms of Reference for Wind Study

A Woodland Management Plan is required to evaluate technical development alternatives being considered and determine management action that will enhance the ecological function of the woodland.

Download Terms of Reference for Woodland Management Plan

A Zoning Compliance Letter is required to determine the current use is conforming to the zoning that exists for that parcel of land.

Download Terms of Reference for Zoning Compliance Letter

Guidelines:

‭(Hidden)‬ Alphabetical List of Terms of Reference

3D Building Massing Model

Accessibility Technical Standards

Air Quality Impact Report

Alternative and Renewable Energy Systems Feasibility Study

Archaeological Assessment

Area Plan

Community Design Framework

Community Energy Plan / Integrated Energy Plan

Community Services and Facilities Study

Concept Site Plan

Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report

Development Sign Standards

Document and Salvage Plan

Draft Community Design Guidelines

Draft Drawing Standards

Environmental Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Study

Facility Fit Plan

Financial Impact Study

Functional Servicing Report

Grading and Drainage Plan

Growth Management Staging and Sequencing Strategy

Heritage Building Protection Plan

Heritage Commemoration Plan

Heritage Conservation Plan

Heritage Impact Assessment

Housing Assessment Report

Hydrogeological Report

Invasive Species Management Plan

Land Use Compatibility Study

Landscape Digital Standards

Market Impact Study

Noise/Vibration Study

Planning Justification Report

Sediment and Erosion Control Plan

Shadow Study

Stormwater Management Report

Subwatershed Study

Tableland Tree Assessment

Traffic and Parking Study

Urban Design Brief

Wetland Management Plan

Wind Study

Woodland Management Plan

Zoning Compliance Letter

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