Technical Guidelines and Supporting Studies

The Ontario Planning Act provides authority to the County of Essex to request additional information and support studies to fully evaluate Planning Act Applications.

A pre-submission meeting with County Planning Staff is required prior to submitting any Planning Act Application (INSERT FORM).  The pre-submission meeting will identify required support studies and include Terms of References to scope the work accordingly.  This streamlined and efficient review process supports complete application requirements.     

Support studies must be prepared by qualified professionals, submitted in electronic format, and compliant with Provincial AODA requirements.  In circumstances where the County of Essex lacks specific internal review services, the County will request cost recovery for peer review services.  The cost of peer review services would be the responsibility of the applicant.

In accordance with the County of Essex Official Plan 2025, the following studies may be required to support Planning Act Application submissions. County and Provincial Technical Guidelines are available here:  

• Affordable Housing Report: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada - Housing Needs Assessment template
• Agricultural Impact Assessment: Agricultural impact assessments | ontario.ca
• Minimum Distance Separation analysis: Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) formulae | ontario.ca
• Archaeological Assessment: Archaeological assessments | ontario.ca
• Criteria for Evaluating Archaeological Potential: Criteria for Evaluating Archaeological Potential - Forms - Central Forms Repository (CFR)
• Cost/Benefit Analysis Study: 
• Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report and/or Conservation Plan: Heritage Property Evaluation | ontario.ca
• MECP D- Series Guidelines: https://www.ontario.ca/page/environmental-land-use-planning-guides 
• MECP D-4 Landfill Study: D-4 Land Use On or Near Landfills and Dumps | ontario.ca
• MECP D-6 Compatibility between Industrial Facilities: https://www.ontario.ca/page/d-6-compatibility-between-industrial-facilities
• MECP Noise Guideline: https://www.ontario.ca/page/environmental-noise-guideline-stationary-and-transportation-sources-approval-and-planning
• Environmental Impact Study: MECP - Natural heritage reference manual | ontario.ca,
  • • County of Essex Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guideline (LOCAL INSERT),
    • County of Essex Compensation Guide (LOCAL INSERT),
    • Essex Region Natural Heritage System Strategy (LOCAL INSERT),
    • COE Vegetation Clearing Memo (LOCAL INSERT)
• Financial Impact Study
• Fisheries Impact/Marina Impact Study: Check if your project needs a Fisheries and Oceans Canada review, Ontario's provincial fish strategy | ontario.ca
• Flooding, Erosion, Slope Stability Reports including Coastal Engineering Studies: Contact Essex Region Conservation Authority https://www.essexregionconservation.ca/development-services
• Functional Servicing Report
• Geotechnical/Soil Stability Study https://www.peo.on.ca/sites/default/files/2019-07/Professional%20Engineers%20Providing%20Geotechnical%20Engineering%20Services%20.pdf
• Heritage Impact Assessment https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-heritage-tool-kit
• Hydrogeological Study/Hydrology Study https://www.ontario.ca/page/technical-guidance-document-hydrogeological-studies-support-category-3-applications
• Illumination Study
• Market Impact Assessment
• Master Drainage Plan/Site Specific Grading & Drainage Plan
• Master Servicing Study
• Mineral Aggregate Resource Potential Assessment and/or Mineral Aggregate Resource License Compatibility Assessment
• Mineral Aggregate Resource Studies (related to/and in compliance with the requirements of the Ministry of Natural Resources license, for new and expansion to existing pits and quarries: Aggregate resources | ontario.ca
• Noise and/or Vibration Study:  Environmental Noise Guideline - Stationary and Transportation Sources - Approval and Planning (NPC-300) | ontario.ca, and D-6 Compatibility between Industrial Facilities | ontario.ca, D-6-1 Industrial Categorization Criteria | ontario.ca
• Odour/Dust/Nuisance Impact Analysis Study: Environment and energy | ontario.ca
• Oil and Gas Well Study: Abandoned Works Program | ontario.ca
• Overshadowing Study/Plan
• Planning Justification Report Resource Management Report (INSERT COE Guidance)
• Servicing Options Report
• Stormwater Management Report and Plan:  Stormwater Management Planning and Design Manual | ontario.ca, and Windsor Essex Stormwater Management Design Manual Windsor Essex Region Stormwater Manual_v2 
• Traffic Impact Study https://www.library.mto.gov.on.ca/SydneyPLUS/Sydney/Portal/default.aspx?component=AAAAIY&record=14aadf14-05a6-4144-9859-3057f09074ef 
• Tree Inventory and Preservation Report and Plan
• Urban Design Study
• Water Conservation Plan
• Watershed/Subwatershed Plan: Ontario Watershed Information Tool (OWIT) | ontario.ca
• Source Water Protection – Environmental Assessment Report