Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial body that operates under the Planning Act. They hold public hearings and makes decisions on applications for minor variance and consent. This gives an opportunity for the public to comment on applications so that we can take this into consideration when making decisions.

Committee of Adjustment Hearings

You can watch the live hearings on our YouTube channel. For more information read the committee of adjustments agendas and minutes to stay informed.

Review our upcoming hearing schedule to find out when you need to have all materials submitted for your project to be discussed at the next meeting.

2026 Committee of Adjustment hearing schedule
Hearing date Consent and minor variance submission deadline 2 p.m.

Dec. 10, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

Jan. 28, 2026

Nov. 19, 2025

Feb. 18, 2026

Jan. 7, 2026

March 18, 2026

Jan. 28, 2026

April 15, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

May 20, 2026

March 25, 2026
June 17, 2026April 29, 2026
July 22, 2026May 27, 2026
Aug. 19, 2026June 30, 2026

Sept. 16, 2026

July 29, 2026
Oct. 14, 2026Aug. 26, 2026

Nov. 12, 2026

Thursday

Sept. 23, 2026

Dec. 9, 2026

Oct. 21, 2026

Please note, minor variance or consent application submission does not guarantee the next hearing date. You will receive an email with your hearing date approximately four weeks in advance of the scheduled hearing.

Hearings are held in person, City Hall 3rd Floor, Council Chambers, 50 Church St., St. Catharines

(Please use the James Street entrance)

In Person

You can appear in person and make a verbal presentation to the Committee.

Submit written correspondence

If you'd like to submit written correspondence, you need to send your comments about an application by email to cofa@stcatharines.ca at least one week before the Committee hearing. You can also drop off your comments to City Hall located at 50 Church St. Comments should be addressed to Planning and Building Services.

Members

The Committee of Adjustment consists of five voting members who are residents of St. Catharines, 18 years of age or older and own property in the city. The members serve a four-year term and are appointed by Council through the City's citizen appointment process.

The current Committee members are:

  • Greg Redden, Chair
  • David Ringler, Vice Chair
  • Kerry Leask
  • Tom Neale
  • Dale Copeland
  • Elaine Munro - Secretary Treasurer
  • Rosa Risi - Planning Committee Coordinator

Appeals

As of Nov. 28, 2022, the Province of Ontario's Bill 23 has removed third-party appeal rights for the Committee of Adjustment process. For more information, please visit Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022.