Committee of Adjustment

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment reviews planning applications for Minor Variance, Consent, and the expansion of Legal Non-Conforming uses. The City of Port Colborne Committee of Adjustment consists of 5 members appointed by Council in accordance with the Planning Act. The Committee meets to consider applications on a monthly basis. Please see the schedule below.

Committee of Adjustment 2026 Schedule

Please be advised that Committee of Adjustment applications are to be submitted via appointment only to the Secretary-Treasurer. If you wish to make an application submission, please contact Taya Taraba at taya.taraba@portcolborne.ca or via phone at (905) 228-8124.

Terms of Reference

View the CoA Terms of Reference.

Upcoming Meetings, Agendas, and Minutes

To view the Active Transportation Advisory Committee's upcoming meeting dates, agendas, and approved minutes, please click the following link: Committees, Boards and Council Calendar

Rights of Appeal

Appeal of a Consent

Who may file an appeal of a Consent Decision of the Committee of Adjustment or Consent Authority?

Neighbours and other interested parties not defined are no longer eligible to file Planning Act Section 53(19) appeals. See Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 for more information.

Planning Act Section 53(19) appeals may be filed by the applicant, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, a "specified person" (as defined by Planning Act 1(1)), and any "public body" (as defined by Planning Act 1(1)). 

When must an appeal of a Consent be received to be considered?

Planning Act Section 53(19) appeals must be received no later than the end of business on the last date of appeal listed on the Notice of Decision. The last date of appeal is 20 days from the date of the giving of the Notice of Decision. Please see the Notice of Decision for the exact date and time.

Appeal of a Minor Variance

Who may file an appeal of a Minor Variance Decision of the Committee of Adjustment?

Neighbours and other interested parties not defined are no longer eligible to file Planning Act Section 45(12) appeals. See Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster, 2022 for more information.

Planning Act Section 45(12) appeals may be filed by the applicant, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, a "specified person" (as defined by Planning Act 1(1)), and a "public body that has an interest in the matter" (as defined by Planning Act 1(1)).

When must an appeal of a Minor Variance be received to be considered?

Planning Act Section 45(12) appeals must be received no later than the end of business on the last date of appeal listed on the Notice of Decision. The last date of appeal is 20 days from the date of Decision. Please see the Notice of Decision for exact date and time.

General Information

Where must the appeal be filed to be considered?

Planning Act Section 53(19) and 45(12) appeals must be received either by:

• Hardcopy: At City Hall and addressed to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Committee of Adjustment, Port Colborne City Hall, 2nd Floor, 66 Charlotte Street, Port Colborne, ON, L3K 3C8. Do not address appeals to any other departments or locations. Appeals received by the office of the Committee of Adjustment after the last date of appeal as a result of second-hand mailing will be time barred and of no effect.
• Electronic Copy: By email delivered to planningappeals@portcolborne.ca. Do not address appeals to any other departments or locations. Appeals received by Planning staff after the last date of appeal as a result of incorrectly addressed emails will be time barred and of no effect. 
• E-File Portal: By filing an appeal through the OLT e-file portal at https://olt.gov.on.ca/e-file-service/ to Port Colborne (City) — Committee of Adjustment and Consent Authority (select appropriate approval body as outlined on the Notice of Decision). Appeals received by the office of the Committee of Adjustment after the last date of appeal as a result of incorrectly chosen approval authority will be time barred and of no effect.

Please note only one of these options needs to be completed. If your preferred method of appeal is not available at the time of appeal, the appeal must be filed with one of the other two options. Appeals received after the date of appeal as a result of one of the methods being unavailable will be time barred and of no effect.

What information must be submitted for the appeal to be considered?

Planning Act Section 53(19) and 45(12) appeals must include:

• Notice of appeal, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) Appeal Form, this can be found by contacting Planning staff at the 2nd floor of City Hall or at the OLT website at https://olt.gov.on.ca/e-file-service/, or at the OLT e-file portal. A cover letter, etc. may also be submitted if there is not sufficient room in the form;
• OLT filing fee as outlined on the OLT Appeal Form or OLT e-file portal.
• All other information as required by the Appeal Form.