The Carleton Place Development Services Department is launching a custom-developed electronic permitting (e-permitting) system starting in January 2026. The new permitting system was designed by StoneShare at a cost of $60,000 and leverages the Town’s existing Microsoft-based filing systems.
Exclusive e-permitting will be available for all Development Permit Applications, as well as property inquiries and pre-consultations. This new system will streamline the application process, application review, and billing and issuance of approvals, and reduce the processing time for development permit applications.
“Our community deserves modern solutions that match our vision for the future,” says Toby Randell, Mayor of Carleton Place. “This new e-permitting system is a simpler and quicker way for residents and businesses to move their projects forward with a smooth experience, less paperwork, and faster answers.”
Early in Council’s term, a Strategic Plan was adopted which set out goals and objectives for the term. One of the five priority areas identified by Council was Service Delivery and Communication. This new e-permitting system is in line with Council’s objective to have 100% of feasible services available online.
This project was made possible by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) as one (1) of seven (7) initiatives the Town is undertaking to reduce red tape, provide predictability of timelines for development and reduce administrative barriers to the creation of new housing units.
To make progress towards solving the housing crisis, we need to build more homes at prices that Canadians can afford, faster. To do this, we need to end restrictive zoning and speed up permitting, and add greater density, especially near transit and post-secondary institutions. The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) aims to cut red tape and fast-track at least 112,000 new homes by 2028, which cities and regions estimate will lead to the creation of over 750,000 new homes for people in towns, cities, and Indigenous communities across Canada over the next decade.
In February of this year, the Town of Carleton Place announced an agreement with the Government of Canada to accelerate the construction of 168 homes over the next three (3) years, spurring the construction of 934 homes over the next decade. This agreement, under the second round of the Housing Accelerator Fund, will provide over $5.6 million to eliminate barriers to building the housing we need, faster.
Carleton Place’s Action Plan commits to seven (7) local initiatives:
- Comprehensive Fees Review to streamline, reduce the overall cost of growth, and encourage affordable and missing middle housing
- Ending Exclusionary Zoning and implementing Municipality-wide Four Units As-of-Right Zoning
- Cloud-Based Planning Application Software
- Adopt a Community Planning Permit By-law to Streamline Approvals Process
- Intensification through the Franktown Road Secondary Plan
- Residential Integration in Highway District Lands to expand as-of-right permissions along key corridors
- Partnering with Private and Non-Profit Housing Providers
The launch of this e-permitting system, addressing initiative 3. above, is an important step in ensuring Carleton Place remains a progressive and welcoming community. Reducing barriers and providing innovative solutions will support more housing, build stronger neighbourhoods, and the continued growth will benefit the community today and for generations to come.