Use the Application Submission Tool (AST) to submit your development application or request a Pre-Application Consultation meeting.
This new web page provides you with one place to go for all the information you need to use the City’s Application Submission Tool. Stay up to date on changing requirements and updates to the tool by bookmarking and visiting this page frequently.

The Application Submission Tool (AST) offers applicants an easy and secure way to:

  • Submit new development applications and upload supporting materials
  • Request Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) meetings
  • Manage submissions and Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) meeting requests
  • Check the status of meeting requests and application submissions in real time

Before using the Application Submission Tool, review the requirements below. Stay up to date on changing requirements and updates to the AST by bookmarking and visiting this page frequently.

If you are a resident looking for building permit information, please use Express Services. The AST is only for development applications, such as Zoning By-Law Amendment Applications or Site Plan Approval Applications.

Note: If you have been asked by the City to resubmit your development application, do not resubmit through the Application Submission Tool. Contact a Planning Consultant to request a secure link (GoAnywhere Service) to resubmit. At this time only initial submissions are supported in the tool.

To use the Application Submission Tool (AST), you will need to request an account. Once City staff have approved your request, you will be emailed a temporary password to log in and to create your own password.

Your AST account is associated with both you and your organization. When requesting an account, you will need to provide your business information (e.g., email address, company/business name, contact information). Please do not provide personal information. By requesting an account, you are acknowledging that you will be the main point of contact for all applications and/or requests for Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) meetings that are submitted.

Requests for Pre-Application Consultation meetings must be made through the AST. The City no longer accepts requests via the PDF form that was used prior to April 3, 2023.

You can request a Pre-Application Consultation meeting for the following application types in the AST:

  • Official Plan Amendment
  • Zoning By-law Amendment
  • Draft Plan of Subdivision
  • Site Plan Control

Note: You must request a separate Pre-Application Consultation meeting for each application type. Exception: Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment may be combined.

Before Requesting a Pre-Application Consultation Meeting

To reduce delays in processing your request, review the City’s requirements and procedures and have your materials ready to upload in accordance with the Pre-Application Consultation Meeting: Application Requirements. The following materials are required:

  • Concept Site Plan
  • Concept Elevations and/or Renderings

File Requirements

  • Maximum size of all files combined must be under 30 megabytes
  • Reduce raster image quality to 72 dpi
  • Do not include comments. Multiple layers must be flattened to a single layer.
  • Fonts must be embedded in the drawing
  • PDF files must have the following naming convention “File Description_address_st/rd/wy”
    Examples:

    • Concept Site Plan_100main_st.pdf
    • Concept Elevations_100main_st.pdf

After Submitting your Meeting Request

Once your meeting request has been submitted, a Planning Consultant will check your documents and then send you an email with information about next steps. Read more about the Pre-Application Consultation Meeting: Review Procedure.

Note that you will not be able to update your meeting request after it has been submitted. However, City staff may ask you to make changes to your meeting request if additional information or documentation is required; you will be provided with instructions on how to update your request.

Pre-Application Consultation Fee

Fees are not paid through the AST. You will be emailed instructions on how to pay the fee after City staff have processed your meeting request.

How-to Guide and Demonstration

Application Submission Tool – How-to Guide for Requesting Mandatory Pre-Application Consultation Meetings

Video of Application Submission Tool PAC Request Info Session – March 28, 2023

Prior to submitting your development application, please read the requirements and processes for the submission of applications.

You can submit the following application types in the AST:

* You can submit a combined Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) in the AST. All other applications need to be submitted separately.

Submission Documents

Each application type has specific application requirements. You will not be able to submit the application without uploading these documents. However, you can save your progress as a draft and submit at a later time.

Technical Requirements

Please ensure your documents meet the following technical requirements prior to upload:  

  • Each Plan/Drawing must be one PDF file for each application requirement (e.g.: Architectural Plans, Landscape Plans, etc.);
  • Plans/Drawings with multiple pages and sets must be combined into a single PDF file;
  • Each PDF file must be properly labelled. PDF file names should have an abbreviated description of the document (see naming conventions below);
  • Each information/study must be submitted as a separate PDF file, including the Project Data Sheet;
  • Each PDF file must be submitted without a password and/or restrictions;
  • Do not include comments. Multiple layers must be flattened to a single layer. All electronic files must be submitted in PDF Version 7 or later;
  • Each PDF file submitted must not exceed 25MB and have no layers.

Naming Conventions

PDF file names must use underscores and abbreviations that describe the digital file and reference the subject property. Examples:

  • Architectural Plans_100main_st.pdf
  • Public Utilities Plans_100main_st.pdf
  • Survey Plans100mainst.pdf
  • Parking_100main_st.pdf
  • SunShadowStudy_100main_st.pdf
  • SWMReport_100main_st.pdf

After Submitting your Application

Once your application has been submitted, a Planning Consultant will check your documents and then send you an email with information about next steps.

Note that you will not be able to update your application once you have submitted it for intake. However, City staff may ask you to make changes if additional information or documentation is required prior to circulation; you will be provided with instructions on how to update your application.

Planning Application Fees

Fees are not paid through the AST. You will be emailed instructions on the amount and how to pay after the Planning Consultant has processed your application submission.

Resources

Application Submission Tool – How-to-Guide

Video of Application Submission Tool Information and Demo Session – December 2, 2021

Video Demonstration of the Application Submission Tool

Release date: January 29, 2024

PAC – New Mandatory Sections

Additional zoning-related questions have been added to the PAC meeting request form in the “Property Information” and “Proposal Information” sections. You are required to provide details on the property’s current and intended zoning designation and identify the scale and scope of the proposal. This ensures that City staff have a clear overview of the proposed development application, which enhances the quality of discussion and advice provided through the PAC process.

1. Property Information

New mandatory section in PAC showing additions to the property section.

2. Proposal Information

New mandatory section in PAC showing additions to the proposal section.

Release date: October 20, 2023

Additional Application Documents

To enhance the quality of your submission materials, six new attachment types have been introduced in the tool. Please use the new attachment types to upload your relevant documents on the Supporting Documents page. They are:

  • Concept Site and Landscape Plan
  • Methane Gas Study
  • Public Utilities Plan
  • Simplified Report Graphics
  • Soil Volume Plan
  • Subdivision Concept Plan

Application Document Update

In anticipation of upcoming changes to the Transportation Impact Study Terms of Reference, the Loading Study, Parking Study and Traffic Operations Assessment attachment types have been consolidated into the Transportation Impact Study attachment type. Moving forward, any documents related to these studies should be uploaded within the consolidated attachment.

PAC – Mandatory Describe Location

The “Describe Location” field is now a mandatory field when requesting a PAC meeting. Please provide detailed information about the location or property address you wish to discuss. This ensures City staff have a clear overview of all properties under consideration, which enhances the quality of discussion and advice provided through the PAC process.

Mandatory Heritage Section

The Heritage Section is now mandatory. In addition, applicants will now be required to identify whether a Heritage Consultant has been retained.

Your Feedback Matters

You now have the opportunity to provide feedback whenever you submit an application or a meeting request. You can click on the Start Survey link to provide feedback about your experience with the tool.

This is to help us improve your experience using the tool and to make informed product-development decisions.

Screenshot of the submission confirmation page indicating the survey link on bottom left of screen

Release date: April 3, 2023

With the introduction of Mandatory Pre-Application Consultation meetings at the City of Toronto, a feature has been added  to the AST enabling you to request meetings directly in the tool. This new functionality eliminates the need for you to complete the PDF form and email the City a PDF package with your documents. Instead, you will submit all information needed for a meeting using the AST. At the top of the AST screen, you will find a tab to submit requests for Pre-Application Consultation meetings.

To learn more about Mandatory Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) and how to submit a request for a PAC meeting, visit City Planning’s Pre-Application Consultation page.

Screenshot of the tab in AST to open the dashboard for Mandatory Pre-Application Consultation Meeting Requests.

During Application Submission, if you are submitting any of the application types that require a Mandatory Pre-Application Consultation meeting, you will now need to enter the PAC Folder Number (e.g., 12 34 567890 APP 00 PAC) you received as part of your meeting request.

Screenshot of the field in AST to enter the PAC Folder Number during application submission.

Release date: January 4, 2023

The Site Plan Application is Now a Standalone Application Type

To improve the review process for the Site Plan Application in line with the Bill 109 policy change, the Site Plan Application type will now be a standalone application and will no longer be combined with other applications.

Screenshot of the application types that can be submitted on the Application Submission Tool, showing the Site Plan application type selected as a standalone application.

Update to the Temporary Password Expiration Message

If you’ve received a temporary password enabling you to reset your password, but you’re unable to change that temporary password before the seven-day expiration period, you’ll see an on-screen notification of what you need to do to change your expired temporary password.

Screenshot showing the error message when the temporary password has expired.

Updates from 2022

Refer to the summary of Updates from 2022.