The City of St. Thomas Planning Department is responsible for providing a full range of land use planning functions and services on behalf of the City of St. Thomas and by agreement through the Central Elgin Planning Advisory Committee (CEPAC) to the Municipality of Central Elgin.

Planning Department Responsibilities

The Planning Department provides the day-to-day operations and long-term planning services in the following areas:

  • Development and maintenance of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law
  • Support to City Council on all matters related to land use planning
  • Preparation and review of all development applications (Site Plan Approvals, Plan of Subdivision/Condominiums, Holding Zone Removals, Severances/Consent, Minor Variances, Official Plan and Zoning Amendments, Part Lot Control and Zoning Reports)
  • Respond to daily enquiries
  • Prepare policies and processes to ensure City long-term growth and community development
  • Undertake research, special projects and studies
  • Consult with the public and stakeholders and offer advice on planning matters
  • Responsible for the City's base mapping system and Geographic Information System (GIS) data
City of St. Thomas Zoning Information
View the online zoning map here.

View the consolidated zoning By-law for the City of St. Thomas here. 
Planning Application Fees
Tariff of fees for the processing of applications made in respect of planning matters:

By-Law 38-2018
Planning Application Forms
Official Plan Amendment

Zoning By-Law Amendment

Site Plan Application

Plan of Subdivision/Condominium 

Application for Phasing of Subdivision Registrations

Part Lot Control

Community Improvement Program Evaluation Committee 
Consultation for Planning Applications
Applicants are required by By-law No. 30-2015 to consult with the Planning Department prior to submitting one or more of the following planning applications:
  • Official Plan Amendment
  • Draft Plan of Subdivision/Condominium 
  • Zoning By-law Amendment
  • Site Plan Control
  • Consent
  • Minor Variance 
These applications are also subject to policies and requirements of the City's Official Plan.

There is no fee charged for the consultation meeting.

In the event a consultation meeting does not take place prior to the filing of an application, a consultation meeting will be arranged as soon as possible thereafter. The application will not be formally received, nor will it be processed and the legislated timelines for processing a planning application will not begin until the requirements for a  consultation meeting, and the submission of a complete application, have been fulfilled. 

To request a consultation meeting with the Planning Department, please see: Consultation Request Form
Community Improvement Plan

The Community Improvement Plan provides policies to enable Council to offer financial incentives to private property owners in the City of St. Thomas. These incentives are intended to encourage property owners to improve the appearance of their lands and buildings in accordance with guidelines adopted by Council.  The incentives help offset a portion of project costs related to redevelopment, reuse and rehabilitation of the built environment and brownfield remediation.  

The Project Area has recently been expanded to include a 'City Wide Community Improvement Area,' 'Primary Community Improvement Area,' and 'Secondary Community Improvement Area.'

Please refer to the complete application package below for details about the nine financial incentive programs.

Please note that all CIP financial programs are subject to the availability of funds within the City's CIP budget and projects are processed on a first come, first served basis.

St. Thomas Community Improvement Plan

By-law 91-2021 -To Adopt a Community Improvement Plan
By-law 90-2021 - To designate a Community Improvement Project Area

Application Package

CIP Application Form

Planning Studies
2024 Growth Analysis Study

2016 Retail Market Study

2017 Employment Lands Review

Phase 1 - Urban Design Guidelines Background Review Report

Urban Design-Staff Planning Report to Council (June 20/22)

St. Thomas City Wide UDG November 2024
Current Planning Notices
Please visit the City's notice section on the website to view current planning notices.

Click here to see a map showing the location of all current planning applications.

To find a public meeting date, visit the Event Calendar on the City website. 
Contact the Planning & Building Services Department
St. Thomas Planning and Building Services
9 Mondamin Street
St. Thomas, ON
N5P 2T9

Tel: (519) 633-2560
Fax: (519) 633-6581

Click here for Staff Contact Information