What is a Minor Variance?
By-laws for each community contain regulations that apply to each identifying zone for permitted uses, building set backs and lot coverage. The Planning Act allows Council to establish a Committee of Adjustment to which property owners can apply when they require a “minor variance” or relief from the By-law regulations. Example: A homeowner in an area zoned as Residential in the Zoning By-law wants to build a garage which would end up being closer to a neighbour’s property than the minimum 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) side yard separation required by the zoning by-law. In this situation, the homeowner cannot obtain the necessary building permit for the construction of the garage without first applying to and receiving a Minor Variance to the Zoning By-law from the Committee of Adjustment.
