The Planning Act is provincial legislation that provides the legal rules for land use planning in Ontario. This includes establishing the various types of planning tools that municipalities may use to control land uses and development within their communities. The Planning Act outlines the rules and responsibilities around:

• Areas of provincial interest including the Provincial Policy Statement and Provincial Plans such as the Greenbelt Plan or the A Place to Grow: Growth Plan;
• Preparing and updating official plans;
• Preparing and updating zoning by-laws;
• Subdividing land;
• Committee of Adjustment, including minor variances and severances;
• Public consultation and public notices;
• Appeal rights and dispute resolution; and,
• Other planning tools such as community improvement plans, site plan control, interim control by-law and others;