Long-Form Subdivision Applications

Information about subdividing, severance of parcels, or consolidating property, which may include a zoning change, new public streets. or lanes

Follow the Development Application Subdivision and Rezoning (DASZ) process if a proposed Plan of Subdivision:

• Creates new lots and requires a zoning change, but does not create any new streets or lanes.
• Requires a zoning classification change or rezoning, and creates new public streets and/or lanes.

Follow the Development Application Subdivision (DAS) process if a proposal includes a subdivision and the creation of new streets or lanes without a zoning change.

If you are not proposing to create any new public rights-of-way and a proposed Plan of Subdivision complies with the existing zoning classification, use the short-form subdivision application (DASSF) procedure.

Before subdividing land into lots or parcels to sell one or more of them, approval from the City of Winnipeg is required. Follow these steps:

• Submit an application with the Zoning & Permits Branch at Unit 31 - 30 Fort Street. Learn about application requirements and fees.
• Fulfill all conditions adopted by Council to obtain final approval and plan registration.
• Enter into necessary agreements with the City, as appropriate and required.
• Register a Plan of Subdivision with the Winnipeg Land Titles Office.

If a proposed plan is a secondary application to a former underlying development application that further subdivides or changes the legal description or zoning district, the underlying plan and related agreements need to be registered with the Winnipeg Land Titles Office prior to submission of the secondary application. New status of title(s) will be required for submission as proof of registration for the underlying plan to proceed with an application to further subdivide the land.

This is a legal document prepared by a Manitoba Land Surveyor and registered in the Winnipeg Land Titles Office.

It is often referred to as a mylar and includes:

• The precise boundaries and dimensions of a lot or lots.
• The location and names of any new public streets and/or lanes and existing boundary streets.
• The basic configuration of existing lots within the immediate surrounding area.
• Does not identify the location of existing buildings.

An application can take six to 18 months to complete. Therefore, it is important to be cautious about scheduling any planned development on the land, as well as determining realistic possession dates with respect to the sale of any lot(s).

Payments can be made in-person, by mail, or by calling Permits Direct Line at 204-986-5140. Individual invoices of more than $10,000 must be paid by cheque or bank draft, which can be made payable to the "City of Winnipeg".

Application fees must be paid before an application can be circulated to other City departments for review. Please refer to document checklists under "Application Submission Requirements" to ensure the required documentation and plans have been supplied to avoid delays in processing.

*Note: Once the City of Winnipeg has determined an application is complete for circulation, it will be sent to the Land Development Branch to process and review. Depending on the application type, additional fees may be required. The fees can only be determined after the application has been circulated to various departments for review, which could include the following:

• Advertising fees (on Public Hearing application types as determined by local newspapers)
• Mylar signing/lot/parcel fees (per lot/parcel created on plan)
• Consent Certificate fees
• 10% dedication fees (in lieu of dedicating land)
• Agreement fees
• Legal document preparation fees
• Administrative fees associated with a Development or Servicing Agreement
• Deposits for survey monuments, sod and/or tree planting
• Oiling & graveling fees where applicable
• Levies such as Charleswood Transportation Levy, Seine River Acquisition Charges
• Trunk service rates
• Securities/letter of credits
• Spatial separation review

Applications are reviewed for conformity to adopted plans and zoning bylaws.

• If an application does not conform to an adopted plan, an amendment to that plan will be required before a subdivision can be referred for approval.
• A Zoning Development Officer determines if a proposal conforms to relevant zoning regulations.
• If a variance of the zoning regulations is required, it would have to be approved before a subdivision can be finalized.
• The District Planner provides planning advice on the application, including changes that might be recommended as desirable or necessary to gain approval.

An application is then circulated to concerned stakeholders, such as public utilities and other City departments, for review and comment regarding what conditions may be necessary for approval of a subdivision. Required conditions may include:

• To allow development to take place on proposed lots, the public street or lane bordering the property may require a widening, upgrading or underground services may need to be extended, upgraded or installed to accommodate a proposed development.
• New public streets and/or lanes within a proposed Plan of Subdivision must be constructed to current City standards.
• You may be responsible for all or part of those costs.
• If a proposed development includes existing structures and/or buildings, you may need to engage the services of a Manitoba Land Surveyor to prepare a Surveyor's Building Location Certificate for Proposed Subdivision to assist the Plan Examination Branch's review for Spatial Separation compliance under the Manitoba Building Code.

An application may be reviewed by a committee of City officials, known as the Administrative Coordinating Group (ACG). They may recommend amendments to the plan, conditions to be set on the approval, or reject the proposal.

• You can discuss ACG recommendations with appropriate City staff members. After considering recommendations made by the ACG and/or District Planner, you have the opportunity to request your application be withdrawn or be further processed.
• If you wish to proceed with an application, a proposed Plan of Subdivision would be advertised for a public hearing before the applicable Community Committee. The application must be advertised by publishing the proposal once in two daily newspapers with a general circulation in the City and site posters, 14 days clear of the day of the public hearing. You are responsible for advertising costs.
• The chairperson of the ACG and the District Planner each prepare a report with recommendations, submitted to the applicable Community Committee for consideration, at which time you or your representative may wish to appear to speak on behalf of your proposal and answer any related questions. It is important to note that there are no further public representations after the public hearing.

Hearing dates are selected by the Land Development Branch once the application review process is complete. The Branch manages and coordinates the application's review and approval processes through to completion.

• The applicant and any other persons in support of the subdivision and rezoning application should be prepared to speak in favour of the proposal and answer any questions. Any person who wishes to support or oppose the subdivision and rezoning application may also appear. The Community Committee considers letters in support or opposition from persons who cannot attend the public meeting.
• It is useful to present drawings of the proposed development and to explain the effect on adjacent properties.
• Be prepared to address specific concerns from persons in opposition and to make changes in the proposed development to satisfy those in opposition.
• Those in opposition to the proposed zoning change should:
  • Attend the public meeting.
  • Speak about their reasons.
  • Select a limited number of spokespeople for large groups.
  • Refrain from repeating the same arguments.
  • Try to understand the details of the proposed zoning change.
  • Focus on the issues considered by the Community Committee.
  City Council Makes the Final Decision

  The Community Committee concludes the public meeting with a recommendation to the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development, Heritage and Downtown Development which in turn considers the development application and makes a recommendation to the Executive Policy Committee (EPC). The EPC considers all previous recommendations and makes a recommendation to City Council, who makes the final decision.

  Once an Application has been Adopted by Council

  You will be advised of the conditions to be fulfilled to obtain final approval and plan registration. These conditions may include any or all of the following:

  • Submission of the legal plan mylars for bylaw preparation and enactment by Council
  • Payment of fees such as cash in lieu of land dedication, agreement preparation fees, etc.
  • Dedication of land for public open space
  • Construction of municipal services, rights-of-way, water mains, sewers, and land drainage facilities if applicable
  • Provision of easements in favour of the City

  Where there is a zoning change associated with a proposed Plan of Subdivision, you may also be required to enter into a Zoning Agreement with the City. A Zoning Agreement may make provision that all building plans must be approved at Community Committee prior to issuance of a building permit. It may also establish special height and/or density limitations and prohibit certain land uses.

  You may also be required to enter into a Development, Servicing or Subdivision Agreement to fulfill servicing and/or additional requirements as adopted by Council.

  Once an application has been adopted by Council, the applicant can proceed to satisfy all conditions required in that approval.

  Legal Plan Mylar Preparation

  When receiving a letter from the City acknowledging Council's approval, you may arrange to have a Manitoba Land Surveyor prepare the legal plan mylars for the proposed plan, if you are prepared to meet all of the conditions of approval. Considerations of approval may include:

  • Construction of rights-of-way, street or lane widening on a Plan of Subdivision
  • Payment of 10% cash dedication in lieu of land dedication, or dedication of a portion of land in lieu of cash
  • Requirement to enter into a Development or Servicing Agreement, Zoning Agreement or Easement(s) with the City to ensure items such as improvements, such as sidewalks, road upgrading, or servicing requirements are provided once the plan has been registered.
  • Modifications to existing buildings impacted by the proposed subdivision to comply with spatial separation under the Manitoba Building Code.
  Time Limits

  Council approval may include time restrictions for completion (usually two years to have a bylaw enacted). After bylaw enactment, you will have one year to complete the application and register the Plan of Subdivision, along with any related legal documents, for the bylaw to come into force and effect.

  • If an extension of time is requested, an application will be reviewed to determine if circumstances affecting the application have changed.
  • Payment of an extension of time application fee is required.
  • Payment of fees for re-approval of a Plan of Subdivision legal plan mylars may be necessary.
  • All outstanding application fees are subject to change to reflect current rates.

  Building permits for individual lots are not issued until the Plan of Subdivision, rezoning and any related agreements and/or easements have been registered with the Winnipeg Land Titles Office.

  Receiving Final Council Approval of a Subdivision Plan

  A subdivision plan is not approved until a sworn-to legal plan prepared by a registered Manitoba Land Surveyor is submitted and the subdivision/rezoning bylaw is enacted by Council. Concurrently, any related zoning, easements, servicing and development agreements need to be prepared and necessary signatures need to be secured.

  When Subdivision Plan & Rezoning comes into Force

  After Council adopts the bylaw, all necessary agreements have been executed, all monies have been paid, and the related legal documents have been released to the applicant and their legal representative for final registration at the Winnipeg Land Titles Office, the subdivision plan and rezoning comes into force.

  Following the posting of securities required under the Development or Servicing Agreement to guarantee maintenance warranty and builders’ liens, installation of physical improvements in a subdivision can proceed, along with finalizing the sale of lots.

  Public Consultation Process
  • Public engagement is an important part of the planning and development process. Receiving input from community stakeholders at the appropriate time is fundamental to the success of any project.
  • The type of public consultation to be conducted (e.g. door-to-door canvassing, opem house, or town hall format) is determined by the applicant and should consider the nature of the proposal as well as the scope of the impact on other properties. If you have questions about what type of public consultation is best for the project, contact the District Planner.
  • If you decide to host an open house, please refer to the Public Open House Guidelines.
  • When submitting a formal application, please include a summary of the results of the public consultation containing at a minimum, the following:
    1. Number of people consulted as well as their addresses
    2. Copies of all letters and other written communications received
    3. If an event is held: a list of attendees, including names, addresses and phone numbers (where provided voluntarily)
    4. If an event is held: how people were notified of the event (i.e. newspaper advertisement, flyer in mailbox, etc.)
    5. A letter of response outlining how all the concerns and issues raised by the public were addressed
  Contact Information

  To submit an application, contact the Zoning & Permits Branch at 204-986-5140. They will provide advice on whether a proposal complies with zoning regulations and relevant City plans.

  Get in touch with the Urban Planning & Design Division by contacting 311 for planning advice on the subdivision as it relates to orderly development.

  Get in touch with the Land Development Branch by contacting 311 for an explanation of the overall development application's review and approval process which they manage and coordinate on behalf of the City. They can also direct you to any other stakeholders you should consult.