Planning Services is responsible for all land use, policy and development activities for the City, including:
To learn more about the processes involved and which might be right for you, take a look at our Development Handbook.
Trout Lake Study
The Trout Lake Watershed and Management Study (Trout Lake Study for short) was initiated as a comprehensive review of lake quality and the review of current policies and provisions around the protection and management of Trout Lake. A comprehensive study has not occurred since 1992.
In total, the study provides 28 recommendations to improve current practices and ultimately protect the health of the lake.
For more information, visit www.northbay.ca/troutlakestudy
Downtown Waterfront Master Plan
The Downtown Waterfront Master Plan (DWMP) capitalizes on ways to improve connections between the downtown and the waterfront. By reflecting North Bay's Indigenous history in meaningful ways and creating new centres of activity, a vibrant downtown & waterfront can be maintained year round.
The redevelopment proposed in the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan will be implemented over the long term. It is to be expected that future projects will not precisely follow the concept plan but will evolve to meet the needs of the City and the study area over time.
Individual projects in the plan have been categorized in immediate, short, medium and long term phases.
For more information, visit www.northbay.ca/dwmp
City of North Bay Official Plan
The city's Official Plan is the policy document that guides the municipality’s land use objectives and goals to direct future growth and development. The policies in the Official Plan are intended to balance the inter-relationships among environmental, economic and social factors in planning to enhance the quality of life of for the citizens of North Bay.
These policies are related to land uses, heritage, culture, the natural environment, transportation and infrastructure. The city’s Official Plan is also used to guide the development of municipal services and programs. The Official Plan reflects a community vision for future change and development.
For more information, visit www.northbay.ca/op
Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) Policy
An ADU is a dwelling unit that is subordinate to the main dwelling unit on the property. An ADU can be in the main building on the property or in an accessory building (ex. converted detached garage). ADUs are permitted in the following ways:
For more information, visit www.northbay.ca/adu
Short-Term Rental (STRs) Policy
A STR is the rental of a residential dwelling unit (either the entire dwelling or individual rooms) for a period 28 consecutive days or less. STRs can be in any housing type (single detached, secondary units, apartments and condos) as long as all applicable requirements are met.
The goals of STR regulation in the City of North Bay are:
For more information, visit www.northbay.ca/str
Production Studio Policy
The City of North Bay continues to experience steady growth of the film and television industry. The film industry is evolving and, as part of the city’s attraction and retention efforts, the city is always seeking new ways to recognize market demand and support growth.
In the year 2023, Staff proactively proposed an update to Zoning By-Law No. 2015-30 to allow for and encourage the creation of dedicated production space.
What is the Offcial Plan?
The city's Official Plan is the policy document that guides the municipality’s land use objectives and goals to direct future growth and development. The policies in the Official Plan are intended to balance the inter-relationships among environmental, economic and social factors in planning to enhance the quality of life of for the citizens of North Bay.
These policies are related to land uses, heritage, culture, the natural environment, transportation and infrastructure. The city’s Official Plan is also used to guide the development of municipal services and programs. The Official Plan reflects a community vision for future change and development.
To learn more about the City of North Bay's Official Plan, visit www.northbay.ca/op
Zoning By-law
The City is divided into "zones", where different land uses are permitted. These zones are set out in the city's Zoning By-law. There are zones, for example, which permit diffirent forms of housing and others that permit apartment buildings, or shopping centres, or industrial uses, etc.
Sometimes there are situations where the zone applied to a property does not meet the intent or the desires of a property owner. An application to amend the Zoning By-law can be made that will be evaluated by municipal staff, through a public process, with a decision on the proposed amendment finally made by City Council.
Examples could include changing from residential to commercial uses, or any substantial change involving the by-law. Generally, if you're adding a use or making a substantial (i.e. not minor) change to the by-law, a Zoning By-law Amendment is necessary.
For more informaton, visit www.northbay.ca/zoning
Sign By-law
If you run a business, corporation, or institution you will probably want to advertise and/or identify your business with a sign or signs. It is recommended that you review Sign By-law to determine if the sign you want to display requires a permit.
For more information, visit www.northbay.ca/signs
Site Plan Control (SPC)