OACA's Primer on Planning Course

The first three lessons of the course provide an overview of the land use planning process in Ontario: the main planning instruments, policies and controls are introduced and described, as well as the evolving provincial-local relationship in planning. Particular attention is given to the official plan and the zoning bylaw.

The next two lessons represent the central core of the course and provide a detailed examination of the powers, procedures, and practices of committees of adjustment, land division committees, and consent authorities when considering applications for minor variances and consents. Factual situations and descriptions of pertinent case law are used to highlight the issues under discussion.

The final lesson deals with the validation of title and issuing a "Validation Certificate" under Section 57 of the Planning Act – what it is and when and how is it used. Among the key topics covered are:

• The statutory framework for land use planning in Ontario
• The nature and key components of an official plan
• The specific stages and responsibilities in the official plan approval process
• The nature and key components of a zoning bylaw
• The various steps and requirements in the zoning bylaw approval process
• The nature and purposes of site plan control, and how it differs from zoning
• The appointment, powers & operating procedures of a committee of adjustment
• The nature of a minor variance and how to evaluate one
• The changes in use which are possible in legal non-conforming uses
• Controlling the subdivision of land through subdivision plans or by consents
• The appointment, powers, and operating procedures of consent authorities
• The factors to be considered in evaluating applications for consents

This course has six assignments and an exam.

 

POP is delivered in correspondence format. It is not available in Zoom format.

Once the term begins, you will get access to all the course materials and assignments in our online learning platform, AMCTO Connect. You will need to complete the assignments according to a given schedule. At the end of the term, you will write an open-book, online final exam. Assignments and exams are graded by a marker.

A minimum grade of 51% on the exam and a minimum overall course grade of 60% are required to pass the course.

$415.00 +HST

All course materials are included in the tuition fees. The textbook is provided to all registrants as a PDF document in our online learning platform, AMCTO Connect. A hard copy of the textbook can be purchased for an additional $45.00 +HST when you register for the course.

Note for the Winter/Spring 2025 term: We have paused the hard copy textbook service due to the Canada Post strike. We are monitoring the situation, and we will inform registrants if we resume the service.

POP is one of the courses that we offer under the status of a Certified Educational Institution. Tuition fees for this course are tax-deductible. However, textbook fees are not. 

All cancellation requests must be sent in writing by email. 

A refund levy of $100.00 +HST will be applied to cancellations received prior to the first scheduled assignment due date. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received after the first assignment due date.