Each power below comes from a law, agreement or official page, linked under it. This page lists the powers each government holds. It does not say how they are used.
Prepares an official plan and passes zoning by-laws, and decides local planning applications, under the Planning Act (official plans, s.17; zoning by-laws, s.34). In two-tier areas the upper tier may be the approval authority for plans of subdivision.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Contracts, property and most private law in Ontario, including landlord and tenant, consumer protection, insurance, employment standards and labour relations for provincially regulated work (Constitution Act, 1867, s. 92(13)).
Creates municipalities and sets what they may do (Constitution Act, 1867, s. 92(8)); in Ontario through the Municipal Act, 2001, the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the Planning Act.
Laws and orders, newest first, that changed what the governments covering Agency 30 may decide about housing.
Limit
Ontario requires official plans and zoning to allow up to three homes per residential lot
The More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23, S.O. 2022, c. 21) amended the Planning Act so that, on a parcel of urban residential land, municipal official plans and zoning by-laws may not prohibit up to three residential units (for example three in a house, or two in a house and one in an ancillary building), may not require more than one parking space for each of those units, and may not set a minimum floor area for them (Planning Act ss. 16(3) and 35.1). The Act also changed development charges, parkland requirements, site plan control and the planning role of some upper-tier municipalities.
ontario.ca· checked Ontario statute named in the power description; section numbers only where confirmed on e-Laws/CanLII 2026-10-11. Tier: localFor: Building regulation (Lake of the Woods Township Council)
ontario.ca· checked Ontario statute named in the power description; section numbers only where confirmed on e-Laws/CanLII 2026-10-11. Tier: localFor: Land use planning and development (Lake of the Woods Township Council)
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca· checked By-laws for the reserve (Indian Act s. 81).For: By-laws for the reserve (Indian Act s. 81) (Animakee Wa Zhing #37 Chief and Council), By-laws for the reserve (Indian Act s. 81) (Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum Chief and Council), By-laws for the reserve (Indian Act s. 81) (Anishnaabeg of Naongashiing Chief and Council), By-laws for the reserve (Indian Act s. 81) (Buffalo Point First Nation Chief and Council), By-laws for the reserve (Indian Act s. 81) (Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation Chief and Council) and 8 more
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca· checked Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 92, 92A, 93, 94A, 95 (Justice Laws website consolidation).For: Property and civil rights (Legislative Assembly of Ontario), Municipal institutions (Legislative Assembly of Ontario)
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca· checked Text quoted from the Constitution Acts (Justice Laws Website, current to 2026-09-21).For: Currency and banking (Parliament of Canada)
ola.org· checked Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Bill 23 More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022: Royal Assent text (Schedule 9, Planning Act ss. 16(3), 35.1; commencement s. 25) and explanatory note; read 2026-10-12For: Ontario requires official plans and zoning to allow up to three homes per residential lot (November 28, 2022)
ola.org· checked Bill 23 status: Royal Assent received 28 November 2022, S.O. 2022, c. 21For: Ontario requires official plans and zoning to allow up to three homes per residential lot (November 28, 2022)
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