Appeal of minor variance application fee dismissed; fee reasonably connected to anticipated processing costs.
The appellant paid a minor variance application fee of $8,970.00 under protest and appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal under section 69(3) of the Planning Act.
The appellant argued the fee was unreasonably high and disproportionate to the small-scale nature of the backyard gazebo project.
The Tribunal dismissed the appeal, finding that the municipality established a reasonable connection between the fee charged and the anticipated full costs of processing minor variance applications, as supported by a comprehensive fee review study.
OLTOntario Land TribunalApr 30, 2026
