Appealing a Minor Variance or Consent Decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal

A municipality's Committee of Adjustment decides applications for minor variances (small exceptions to zoning rules) and consents (such as severing a lot). Some of its decisions can be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) under the Planning Act.

Who can appeal

• The applicant can usually appeal a refusal or conditions.
• The right of third parties, such as neighbours, to appeal has been restricted by recent provincial changes. Check the current rules for your situation.

The deadline

For minor variances, an appeal must usually be filed within 20 days after the decision is made. Consent appeals have their own deadline. Late appeals are generally not accepted.

How to appeal

1. File the appeal form with the municipality's clerk or secretary-treasurer, with reasons and the fee.
2. The municipality sends the file to the OLT.
3. The OLT schedules a case management conference or hearing.

At the hearing

Expert evidence, often from a land use planner, is common. The OLT applies the Planning Act's four tests for a minor variance.

Before appealing

Talk to the other side. Many disputes settle with changes to the plans.

Sources

• Planning Act (Ontario)
• Ontario Land Tribunal

Read next: Disputing Your Property Assessment: MPAC and the Assessment Review Board

General Ontario legal information, not legal advice for your matter, and reading it does not create a retainer. Sources checked 16 October 2026: check the current law, forms and dates before you act.

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This article is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.