What is site plan control and when does a municipality require it before I build or renovate?

Site plan control is a municipal approval process under the Planning Act that lets a municipality review and impose conditions on the physical design details of a development before it proceeds, covering things like building placement, grading and drainage, parking and access, landscaping, and how the development fits with municipal services and the surrounding area. It's distinct from zoning, which sets the basic rules about what's allowed on a property; site plan control deals with how an allowed development is actually laid out and built.

Municipalities typically apply site plan control to larger commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential developments, and many municipalities designate specific areas or thresholds where it applies to smaller projects as well, so whether it's required for a given project depends on the specific municipality's designation of areas and building types subject to the process. Some smaller residential projects are commonly exempted, but the exemption rules vary by municipality rather than following one province-wide standard. Before finalizing design plans or a construction budget, it's worth confirming directly with the municipality's planning department whether your specific project triggers site plan control, since discovering the requirement mid-project can mean delay and redesign.