The Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB) is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal established through the City of Toronto Act, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 142 and provincial legislation.

The Tribunal provides an independent public forum for the adjudication of land-use disputes related to appeal applications under Sections 45 and 53 of the Planning Act. Decisions are made based on the relevant law and the evidence presented.

You must complete and submit a Notice of Appeal (Form 1) to the Manager & Deputy Secretary Treasurer of the Committee of Adjustment within the legal time limits for filing appeals and pay the required fee. The TLAB cannot extend the time limit or accept late appeals. The decision also contains information on how to appeal.

Please contact the Committee of Adjustment for steps to file.

All TLAB forms, including the Notice of Appeal (Form 1), can be found on the TLAB website at www.toronto.ca/tlab under Forms.

TLAB’s digital requirements are found on the TLAB webpage under Digital Requirements.

A digital signature is a type of electronic signature that encrypts documents with digital codes.

For instructions on how to apply your digital signature, please proceed to this instructional video.

An electronic signature, or e-signature, refers to data in electronic form, which is used by the person to sign their name to an electronic document.

No. Every document in a TLAB proceeding, including all visual evidence, must be provided and shown in electronic PDF format.

Yes.  A $300 appeal fee is due for each appeal filed regardless if related.

Each TLAB hearing is adjudicated by one Panel Member.

TLAB hearings are normally held in-person but may be conducted electronically or by written submission.

In order to take part in a TLAB hearing, you must be a Party or a Participant. TLAB hearings are generally open to the public, but only a Party or Participant can have an active role in a hearing.

A Party is a person or organization that has filed a Notice of Intention (Election) to be A Party or Participant Form 4 and is accepted as a Party by the TLAB. A Party’s role in the hearing process can include: exchanging documents, presenting evidence, questioning witnesses, making submissions, requesting costs, adjournments, or a review of the TLAB’s decision.

A Participant is a person or organization that has filed a Notice of Intention (Election) to be A Party or Participant Form 4 and is accepted as a Participant by the TLAB. Participants make oral or written statements to the TLAB on some or all of the issues on the matter being heard.

Yes, Parties and Participants may choose to be represented by an authorized representative by filing an Authorized Representative Form 5 with TLAB.

Yes. If you want a person to give evidence who would not otherwise be at your hearing, you may ask the TLAB to issue a summons ordering him or her to attend by submitting a Request to Summons Form 11. Participants cannot summons witnesses. Summons must be served on the witness at least 30 days prior to the hearing date.

Every document in a TLAB proceeding, including all visual evidence, must be provided and shown in electronic PDF format. During a hearing, TLAB will provide digital video display equipment (HDTV), a computer with all filed appeal documents, and a multi-device adaptor. Instructions will be provided by TLAB staff to make the process run smoothly. Parties may use their own laptop, electronic tablet, mobile smart phone or other electronic device capable of connecting to a digital TV through either HDMI cable, HDMI adaptor or USB.

Where an interpreter is required, parties, participants and representatives must provide an interpreter except as required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Yes. Documents will be filed, served, or exchanged by e-mail. The documents must be sent to the parties and participants and filed with TLAB at the same time.   Emails are restricted to maximum of 10 MB including attachments.  Please see TLAB’s digital requirements.

The Rules of Practice and Procedure provide details about TLAB processes and procedures. Reading the Rules before appealing to the TLAB will help you to be better prepared for the process.  The Guide to the Toronto Local Appeal also provides information.

No. There are several types of meetings available to parties prior to a hearing. Other meetings include Mediation, Prehearings, and Motions.

A mediation meeting is an attempt to settle the dispute before a scheduled hearing. Mediation meetings can be requested by parties only or directed by TLAB.

No. Mediation will not be held within 30 days of the hearing date, unless the TLAB directs otherwise. If you want to have a mediation you should make your intention known to the TLAB no later than 46 days before the hearing date.

Prehearings are meetings that help organize issues in large and complex cases. They are often used to identify Parties and Participants, decide which documents should be exchanged, and determine procedures before and during a hearing. Prehearings can be requested by parties or by the TLAB.

No. Prehearings will not be held within 30 days of the hearing date, unless the TLAB directs otherwise. If you want to have a prehearing conference you should make your intention known to the TLAB no later than 46 days before the hearing date by filing and serving a Notice of Motion (Form 7) and an Affidavit (Form 10).

Motion meetings can be requested prior to a hearing, on the day of the hearing, or after the hearing depending on the type of motion. Motion requests are guided by timelines.

Yes. Motion meeting requests before a hearing must be filed 46 days before the hearing date and heard no later than 31 days before the hearing date.

If you request a motion within 15 days of the hearing date, you may be asked to delay your motion request until the date of hearing.

Yes. Motions for costs must be filed no later than 30 days after the decision issue date.

Yes. Motions to review a decision must be filed within 30 days of the decision issue date.

At the end of a TLAB hearing the Panel Member may make a decision or the decision may be reserved (issued at a later date). The Panel Member who hears the appeal delivers the decision.

Yes. If a Party disagrees with a TLAB decision a review may be requested within 30 days of the decision. Please keep in mind, TLAB will turn down review requests that provide the same evidence or re-argue the issues.

Contact the Toronto Local Appeal Body to determine the status of your appeal. If your appeal has been received by TLAB, you will be provided with instructions on how to withdraw your appeal. If your appeal has not been received by TLAB, you will be redirected back to the Committee of Adjustment to submit your request to withdraw in writing.

Please note, in both cases, you will not receive a refund for fees already submitted.

See Rule 9.6 of TLAB’s Rules of Practice and Procedure.