What is site plan control?
Site plan control is the process the City uses to review and approve the details of a new building or a major change to an existing one. While your zoning and official plan approvals tell you what you can build, site plan control makes sure the building fits safely into the neighbourhood. The City checks the layout, parking, landscaping, drainage, and how people will move around the property.
Do you need site plan control?
You generally need site plan control if you are:
- Building a new commercial, industrial, or multi-family building
- Changing the use of an existing building
- Adding a detached structure over 10 square metres
- Creating a new driveway or parking lot
Single detached houses and duplexes usually do not require site plan control, but they still need building permits. Check the zoning bylaw and building permit pages for more details.
How the process works
The site plan control process in Wrenford follows these steps:
- Pre-Application Meeting — We strongly recommend meeting with our planning staff before you submit. This helps you understand what drawings and reports are needed. You will need a site plan, building elevations, and a written description of your project.
- Application Submission — Drop off your complete application at the One-Stop Development Shop in Room 200 of Wrenford City Hall. You can also mail it to 100 Mercer Street.
- Staff Review — Planning staff will review your drawings against the City of Wrenford Official Plan and the zoning bylaw. We will also share your application with other City departments, including Roads & Winter Maintenance, Fire Rescue, and Water Operations, for their comments.
- Public Notification — We will notify nearby property owners and post a sign on the site. This gives the public a chance to review the proposal and share feedback.
- Decision — The City Manager usually approves site plans under delegated authority. If the project is large or controversial, it may go to Council or the Committee of Adjustment for a decision.
- Construction and Inspection — Once approved, you can start construction. Our inspectors will visit the site to make sure the work matches the approved plans. You will need a final compliance inspection before you can get your occupancy permit.
Fees and timelines
Application fees are set out in the Fees and Charges By-law 2025-151. The standard processing time for a site plan control application is six to eight weeks from the date your file is considered complete. If we return your application for missing information, the timeline starts over once we receive the missing documents.
You can download the Wrenford Site Plan Review Checklist to see exactly which drawings, engineering reports, and forms are required for your specific project type. Visit Planning applications to access the checklist and online forms.
Need help?
If you have questions about site plan control, contact our planning team. We hold drop-in clinics in Room 202 of City Hall on the first Wednesday of every month, or you can email us directly.