Use this guide to prepare your questions without leaving DurhamPlanning. Your project may involve more than one authority.
Who handles what?
Your local municipality
Start with local planning staff for zoning, permitted uses, official plan policies and planning applications. Contact the municipal building department for building permits and inspections, and bylaw staff for local property rules.
Durham Region
The Region continues to have responsibilities for regional roads, municipal water and sanitary sewer services. Ask whether your proposal affects those services, requires Regional review, or needs separate permissions. Municipal planning approval alone does not answer every servicing or access question.
When to check with both
A project can raise local zoning or building questions and Regional infrastructure questions at the same time. For example, ask both authorities about a development involving a Regional road or a change to municipal water or sewer connections. Do not assume one office’s response covers the other authority’s requirements. Ask which other agencies must be consulted for your particular property.
A change in planning responsibilities
Durham Region states that, from January 1, 2025, its eight area municipalities assumed approval authority for Planning Act decisions, except as prescribed by the provincial ministry. Envision Durham became part of the area municipalities’ official plans. Ask the local municipality which policies, amendments and approval routes now apply to your property; the Region’s infrastructure responsibilities continue.
Prepare before you ask
- Property address and legal description, if available.
- A short description of the existing use and proposed change.
- A sketch showing buildings, approximate dimensions and access.
- Known water, sewer, well or septic arrangements.
- Any surveys, previous permissions or conditions you already have.
Ask each authority to identify required approvals, current documents and the correct contact for anything outside its responsibility. Request written clarification of property-specific requirements before committing to work.
Continue your research here
- Water, sewer, private servicing and drainage: what to ask
- Road ownership, driveways and development access
- Understanding zoning before you make plans
- Preparing for building permits and inspections
- Find your municipality’s planning guide
Sources and limitations
This original summary was checked October 1, 2026 against Durham Region’s Official Plan, Water and Sewer, and Roads and Traffic information, and Ontario’s Citizens’ Guide to Land Use Planning. We provide the practical information here; applications, payments and authoritative property-specific decisions must still go through the responsible public authority.
DurhamPlanning is an independent information site, not an official municipal or Regional website. We try to keep this guidance current but cannot guarantee accuracy, completeness or currency. Confirm your project with your local municipality, Durham Region, or both because their responsibilities can overlap. Read our disclaimer.