About Planning
Land Use Planning in Simcoe County
The goals of the County of Simcoe and its Planning Department are to guide the growth and development of the County of Simcoe, to conserve important natural and cultural resources, and to facilitate the provision of efficient municipal services, all with the objective of enhancing the quality of life for County citizens.
The primary tool to achieve these goals is the Simcoe County Official Plan (SCOP), which sets out a broad County policy framework regarding development and land use. The SCOP incorporates the basic planning policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and other Provincial policies, which the County administers on behalf of the Province of Ontario.
Besides being the approval authority for various land use development applications including local Official Plan Amendments, the Planning Department provides critical information to County Council and member municipalities, including growth projections and Provincial planning policy. The Department assists in the achievement of County objectives and interests in transportation, waste management, natural heritage and forestry.
Information on the County of Simcoe Official Plan and its Schedules can be found on the Official Plan webpage.
Information related to the County Planning Department’s approval of local municipal official plans, please visit the Local Official Plan Approvals webpage.
For information on Development Planning, including the County’s role in the planning process, please visit the Development Planning webpage.
Information on potential study requirements, application forms, and development charges can be found on the Development Applications and Fees webpage.
For information on major development applications that are currently being processed by the County Planning Department, please visit the Current Development Applications webpage.
For information related to the County Planning Department’s residential and employment land budgets, please visit the Growth Information webpage.
For information on initiatives, studies and statistics undertaken and released by the Planning Department, please visit the Initiatives, Studies and Statistics webpage.
Planning Staff Contacts
Phone: 705-726-9300
Director of Planning/Chief Planner – Nathan Westendorp – ext. 1004
Manager of Planning (North/West) – Vacant – ext. 1362
Manager of Planning (South/East) – Dan Amadio – ext. 1005
Development Planning – (Development Planning Areas Map)
Planner III (North/West) – Calvin Dempster– ext. 1114
Planner III (South/East) – Ishan Maggo – ext. 1157
Planner II (North/West) – Vacant – ext. 1912
Planner II (South/East) – Elizabeth Davis – ext. 1137
Planner II (South/East) – Vacant
Planning Information Analyst – Rebecca Jennett – ext. 1973
Policy Planning
Planning Program Supervisor – Innovation and Acceleration – Kristin Pechkovsky – ext. 1986
Planning Program Supervisor – Innovation and Acceleration – Julie Nolan - ext. 1540