What is a Land Severance?
A land severance is the authorized separation of a piece of land to form a new lot or a new parcel of land. This is commonly known as a consent. It is required if you want to sell, mortgage, charge or enter into any agreement (beyond 21 years) for a portion of your land. If the two parts are split already, by a road or railway for example, consent is not needed, but the Land Registry Office requirements must be met.
Most municipalities with an approved Official Plan have specific policies and requirements for land severance. In addition to the division of land, rights-of-way, easements and any change to your existing property boundaries also require land severance approval.
If several severances are intended in the same area, a plan of subdivision may be more appropriate. It is up to the consent-granting authority in your area to decide whether a consent is the best approach or if a plan of subdivision is necessary for the proper and orderly development of your community.
The indiscriminate division of land without anyone's approval could have a long-term, negative impacts on your community. For example, it could result in compromised well water from too many septic systems, or unsafe road access, etc. Or it might result in damage to the natural environment because lots are too small to meet adequate setbacks, for instance.
Official approval is required to ensure that:
- land severances are considered within an established community planning framework;
- new lots and new land uses do not conflict with the overall future planning goals and policies of your community;
- consideration is given to the effects of the division of land on the site, on the neighbours and on the community as a whole.
Get In Touch
317 Brock Street West,
P.O. Box 340
Merrickville, Ontario, K0G 1N0
Phone: 613-269-4791
Fax: 613-269-3095
Clerk
Phone: 613-269-4791 Ext. 257
Email:
United Counties of Leeds & Grenville
Secretary-Treasurer of Consent Granting Authority
Phone: 613-342-3840 ext. 2414
