Ontario to Require Regular Annual Reporting on Number & Type of Development Applications

As part of the More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022, the Planning Act was amended to give MMAH the authority to require municipalities and planning boards to report information on planning matters.

As a result, the Minister is considering making a municipal data reporting regulation that would provide accurate and up to date data that the government can use to measure progress towards commitments including the construction of 1.5 million new homes over the next 10 years.

The proposal posted by the Province on February 6, 2023, states that the information proposed for inclusion in the regulation is information municipalities currently collect as part of their planning processes. This minister's regulation will complement the government's initiative to develop Data Standards for Development and Planning Applications. That project aims to provide consistent rules and guidelines for the exchange of data required for planning and development applications.

The regulation is scheduled to initially apply to Ontario’s largest, fastest growing municipalities (which comprises 29 municipalities including Ottawa, Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge). The Minister may amend the regulation to include additional municipalities as needed. Municipalities would be required to report planning-approval information quarterly and additional information annually.

On a quarterly basis, beginning June 30th, 2023, municipalities would report application data for:

-official plan amendment applications

-zoning by-law amendments

-plans of condominium

-plans of subdivision

-site plan applications

-land severances (consents)

-minor variances

On an annual basis, municipalities will report information on: areas identified as strategic growth areas, areas subject to intensification targets, employment areas and employment area conversions, existing water and wastewater infrastructure, and major transit station area boundaries.

Municipalities would also submit 5-year historical data (from 2018-2022 inclusive) for all data points identified. This information would be required to be submitted by December 31, 2023.

The new regulation is expected to increase transparency around land use planning approvals for home builders. It will also allow the Ministry to track and measure application timelines, allow for the identification of additional streamlining opportunities, and provide the Ministry with the information needed to make evidenced-based planning and housing policy decisions.

Comments are due on the proposal by March 8, 2023 at https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/mail.do?action=displayComment