What is parkland dedication?
Parkland dedication is a requirement under the Planning Act for new residential developments in Ontario. When you subdivide land or build a new housing development, the City requires a portion of the property to be set aside for public parks and recreation, or a cash payment in place of the land.
In Wrenford, we typically require five per cent of the net developable land for this purpose. This helps ensure our growing neighbourhoods have safe green spaces, playgrounds, and trails for everyone.
When do I need to pay parkland dedication?
You will need to address parkland dedication when you:
- Apply to subdivide a property into four or more lots
- Rezoning a property for a new residential development
- Apply for a new residential building permit in a designated area
If you are not sure whether your project requires dedication, review the Parkland dedication requirements page or contact the Planning Services team.
How does it work?
You have two options to meet your dedication obligation:
- Dedicate land: You can transfer a portion of your property directly to the City. The land must meet our minimum size and location standards to be useful for parks or trails.
- Cash-in-lieu: If your lot is too small to set aside parkland, or if the land is not suitable, you can pay a fee instead. The City uses these funds to buy parkland or improve existing facilities in your area.
Before you submit an application, you can request a Cash-in-lieu calculation service. Our planners will provide an estimate of the fair market value so you know what to expect.
Application fees and next steps
There is a $750.00 application fee for parkland dedication requests. Fees are paid when you submit your application to the Planning Services team.
To get started, visit the Apply for a parkland dedication page to download the application form and checklist. You can also check the status of your planning application online through our Find a planning application search tool.
Contact us
If you have questions about your specific property or need help understanding the Official Plan, reach out to our Planning Services team:
- Office: Room 202, Wrenford City Hall, 100 Mercer Street, Wrenford, ON N4Q 1A1
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 519-555-0100
The City of Wrenford acknowledges that we live, work and gather on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land for generations, and we commit to learning and to reconciliation.