As defined in this glossary, many of the defined terms in this Plan have the same meaning or are based on the meaning of another provincial document, particularly the PPS, 2020. For convenience, a parenthetical note following definitions indicates where this is the case.

Active transportation
Human-powered travel, including but not limited to, walking, cycling, inline skating and travel with the use of mobility aids, including motorized wheelchairs and other power-assisted devices moving at a comparable speed. (PPS, 2020)
Affordable
  1. in the case of ownership housing, the least expensive of:
    1. housing for which the purchase price results in annual accommodation costs which do not exceed 30 per cent of gross annual household income for low and moderate income households; or
    2. housing for which the purchase price is at least 10 per cent below the average purchase price of a resale unit in the regional market area;
  2. in the case of rental housing, the least expensive of:
    1. a unit for which the rent does not exceed 30 per cent of gross annual household income for low and moderate income households; or
    2. a unit for which the rent is at or below the average market rent of a unit in the regional market area.
For the purposes of this definition:
Low and moderate income households means, in the case of ownership housing, households with incomes in the lowest 60 per cent of the income distribution for the regional market area; or in the case of rental housing, households with incomes in the lowest 60 per cent of the income distribution for renter households for the regional market area.
Regional market area means an area, generally broader than a lower-tier municipality that has a high degree of social and economic interaction. In the GGH, the upper- or single-tier municipality will normally serve as the regional market area. Where a regional market area extends significantly beyond upper- or single-tier boundaries, it may include a combination of upper-, single- and/or lower-tier municipalities. (Based on PPS, 2020 and modified for this Plan)
Agricultural condition
  1. in regard to specialty crop areas, a condition in which substantially the same areas and same average soil capability for agriculture are restored, the same range and productivity of specialty crops common in the area can be achieved, and, where applicable, the microclimate on which the site and surrounding area may be dependent for specialty crop production shall be maintained or restored; and
  2. in regard to prime agricultural land outside of specialty crop areas, a condition in which substantially the same areas and same average soil capability for agriculture are restored.
(PPS, 2020)
Agri-food network
Within the Agricultural System, a network that includes elements important to the viability of the agri-food sector such as regional infrastructure and transportation networks; on-farm buildings and infrastructure; agricultural services, farm markets, distributors, and primary processing; and vibrant, agriculture-supportive communities. (Greenbelt Plan)
Agricultural Impact assessment
A study that evaluates the potential impacts of non-agricultural development on agricultural operations and the Agricultural System and recommends ways to avoid or, if avoidance is not possible, minimize and mitigate adverse impacts. (Greenbelt Plan)
Agricultural system
The system mapped and issued by the Province in accordance with this Plan, comprised of a group of inter-connected elements that collectively create a viable, thriving agricultural sector. It has two components: 1. An agricultural land base comprised of prime agricultural areas, including specialty crop areas, and rural lands that together create a continuous productive land base for agriculture; 2. An agri-food network which includes infrastructure, services, and assets important to the viability of the agri-food sector. (Greenbelt Plan)
Agricultural uses
The growing of crops, including nursery, biomass, and horticultural crops; raising of livestock; raising of other animals for food, fur or fibre, including poultry and fish; aquaculture; apiaries; agro-forestry; maple syrup production; and associated on-farm buildings and structures, including, but not limited to livestock facilities, manure storages, value-retaining facilities, and accommodation for full-time farm labour when the size and nature of the operation requires additional employment. (PPS, 2020)
Agriculture-related uses
Farm-related commercial and farm-related industrial uses that are directly related to farm operations in the area, support agriculture, benefit from being in close proximity to farm operations, and provide direct products and/or services to farm operations as a primary activity. (PPS, 2020)
Alternative energy system
A system that uses sources of energy or energy conversion processes to produce power, heat and/or cooling that significantly reduces the amount of harmful emissions to the environment (air, earth and water) when compared to conventional energy systems. (PPS, 2020)
Alvars
Naturally open areas of thin or no soil over essentially flat limestone, dolostone, or marble rock, supporting a sparse vegetation cover of mostly shrubs and herbs. (Greenbelt Plan)
Archaeological resources
Includes artifacts, archaeological sites, marine archaeological sites, as defined under the Ontario Heritage Act. The identification and evaluation of such resources are based upon archaeological fieldwork undertaken in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act. (PPS, 2020)
Bradford west gwillimbury strategic settlement employment area
Location set out in Schedule 8. The Bradford West Gwillimbury strategic settlement employment area boundary is determined by the Minister and planned for in accordance with the policies in subsection 6.4.
Brownfield sites
Undeveloped or previously developed properties that may be contaminated. They are usually, but not exclusively, former industrial or commercial properties that may be underutilized, derelict or vacant. (PPS, 2020)
Built heritage resource
A building, structure, monument, installation or any manufactured remnant that contributes to a property’s cultural heritage value or interest as identified by a community, including an Aboriginal community. Built heritage resources are generally located on property that has been designated under Parts IV or V of the Ontario Heritage Act, or included on local, provincial and/or federal registers. 
Compact built form
A land use pattern that encourages the efficient use of land, walkable neighbourhoods, mixed land uses (residential, retail, workplace, and institutional) all within one neighbourhood, proximity to transit and reduced need for infrastructure. Compact built form can include detached and semi-detached houses on small lots as well as townhouses and walk-up apartments, multi-storey commercial developments, and apartments or offices above retail. Walkable neighbourhoods can be characterized by roads laid out in a well-connected network, destinations that are easily accessible by transit and active transportation, sidewalks with minimal interruptions for vehicle access, and a pedestrian-friendly environment along roads to encourage active transportation.
Complete communities
Places such as mixed-use neighbourhoods or other areas within cities, towns, and settlement areas that offer and support opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to conveniently access most of the necessities for daily living, including an appropriate mix of jobs, local stores, and services, a full range of housing, transportation options and public service facilities. Complete communities are age-friendly and may take different shapes and forms appropriate to their contexts.
Complete streets
Streets planned to balance the needs of all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit-users, and motorists.
Conserved
The identification, protection, management and use of built heritage resources, cultural heritage landscapes and archaeological resources in a manner that ensures their cultural heritage value or interest is retained under the Ontario Heritage Act. This may be achieved by the implementation of recommendations set out in a conservation plan, archaeological assessment, and/or heritage impact assessment. Mitigative measures and/or alternative development approaches can be included in these plans and assessments. 
Cultural heritage landscape
A defined geographical area that may have been modified by human activity and is identified as having cultural heritage value or interest by a community, including an Indigenous community. The area may include features such as buildings, structures, spaces, views, archaeological sites or natural elements that are valued together for their interrelationship, meaning or association. Cultural heritage landscapes may be properties that have been determined to have cultural heritage value or interest under the Ontario Heritage Act or have been included on federal and/or international registers, and/or protected through official plan, zoning by-law, or other land use planning mechanisms. (PPS, 2020)
Cultural heritage resources
Built heritage resources, cultural heritage landscapes and archaeological resources that have been determined to have cultural heritage value or interest for the important contribution they make to our understanding of the history of a place, an event, or a people. While some cultural heritage resources may already be identified and inventoried by official sources, the significance of others can only be determined after evaluation. (Greenbelt Plan)
Delineated built boundary
The limits of the developed urban area as defined by the Minister in consultation with affected municipalities for the purpose of measuring the minimum intensification target in this Plan.
Delineated built-up area
All land within the delineated built boundary.
Designated greenfield area
Lands within settlement areas (not includingrural settlements) but outside of delineated built-up areasthat have been designated in an official plan for developmentand are required to accommodate forecasted growth to the horizon of this Plan. Designated greenfield areas do not include excess lands.
Development
The creation of a new lot, a change in land use, or the construction of buildings and structures requiring approval under the Planning Act, but does not include:
  1. activities that create or maintain infrastructure authorized under an environmental assessment process; or
  2. works subject to the Drainage Act.
(Based on PPS, 2020 and modified for this Plan)
Drinking-water system
A system of works, excluding plumbing, that is established for the purpose of providing users of the system with drinking water and that includes:
  1. any thing used for the collection, production, treatment, storage, supply, or distribution of water;
  2. any thing related to the management of residue from the treatment process or the management of the discharge of a substance into the natural environment from the treatment system; and
  3. a well or intake that serves as the source or entry point of raw water supply for the system.
(Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002)
Ecological function
The natural processes, products or services that living and non-living environments provide or perform within or between species, ecosystems and landscapes, including hydrologic functions and biological, physical, chemical and socio-economic interactions. (Greenbelt Plan)
Ecological integrity
Which includes hydrological integrity, means the condition of ecosystems in which:
  1. the structure, composition and function of the ecosystems are unimpaired by the stresses from human activity;
  2. natural ecological processes are intact and self-sustaining; and
  3. the ecosystems evolve naturally.
(Greenbelt Plan)
Ecological value
The value of vegetation in maintaining the health of the key natural heritage feature or key hydrologic feature and the related ecological features and ecological functions, as measured by factors such as the diversity of species, the diversity of habitats, and the suitability and amount of habitats that are available for rare, threatened and endangered species. (Greenbelt Plan)
Economic employment districts
Areas that have been identified by the Minister that are to be planned and protected for locally significant employment uses. These areas are not settlement areas.
Employment area
Areas designated in an official plan for clusters of business and economic activities including, but not limited to, manufacturing, warehousing, offices, and associated retail and ancillary facilities. (PPS, 2020)
Energy transmission pipeline
A pipeline for transporting large quantities of oil or natural gas within a province or across provincial or international boundaries. Energy transmission pipelines do not include local distribution pipelines.
Excess lands
Vacant, unbuilt but developable lands within settlement areasbut outside of delineated built-up areasthat have been designated in an official plan for development but are in excess of what is needed to accommodate forecasted growth to the horizon of this Plan.
Fish habitat
As defined in the Fisheries Act, means spawning grounds and any other areas, including nursery, rearing, food supply, and migration areas on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life processes. (PPS, 2020)
Freight-supportive
In regard to land use patterns, means transportation systems and facilities that facilitate the movement of goods. This includes policies or programs intended to support efficient freight movement through the planning, design and operation of land use and transportation systems. Approaches may be recommended by the Province or based on municipal approaches that achieve the same objectives. (PPS, 2020)
Frequent transit
A public transit service that runs at least every 15 minutes in both directions throughout the day and into the evening every day of the week.
Gateway economic centre
Settlement areas identified in this Plan, as conceptually depicted on Schedules 2, 5, and 6 that, due to their proximity to major international border crossings, have unique economic importance to the region and Ontario.
Gateway economic zone
Settlement areas identified in this Plan within the zone that is conceptually depicted on Schedules 2, 5, and 6, that, due to their proximity to major international border crossings, have unique economic importance to the region and Ontario.
Greater golden horseshoe (GGH)
The geographic area identified as the Greater Golden Horseshoe growth plan area in Ontario Regulation 416/05 under the Places to Grow Act, 2005.
Green infrastructure
Natural and human-made elements that provide ecological and hydrologic functions and processes. Green infrastructure can include components such as natural heritage features and systems, parklands, stormwater management systems, street trees, urban forests, natural channels, permeable surfaces, and green roofs. (PPS, 2020)
Greenbelt area
The geographic area identified as the Greenbelt Area in Ontario Regulation 59/05 under the Greenbelt Act, 2005.
Greyfields
Previously developed properties that are not contaminated. They are usually, but not exclusively, former commercial properties that may be underutilized, derelict, or vacant.
Ground water features
Water-related features in the earth’s subsurface, including recharge/discharge areas, water tables, aquifers and unsaturated zones that can be defined by surface and subsurface hydrogeologic investigations. (PPS, 2020)
Habitat of endangered species and threatened species
Habitat within the meaning of section 2 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007. (PPS, 2020)
Hazardous lands
Property or lands that could be unsafe for development due to naturally occurring processes. Along the shorelines of the Great Lakes – St Lawrence River System, this means the land, including that covered by water, between the international boundary, where applicable, and the furthest landward limit of the flooding hazard, erosion hazard or dynamic beach hazard limits. Along the shorelines of large, inland lakes, this means the land, including that covered by water, between a defined offshore distance or depth and the furthest landward limit of the flooding hazard, erosion hazard or dynamic beach hazard limits. Along river, stream and small inland lake systems, this means the land, including that covered by water, to the furthest landward limit of the flooding hazard or erosion hazard limits. (PPS, 2020)
Higher order transit
Transit that generally operates in partially or completely dedicated rights-of-way, outside of mixed traffic, and therefore can achieve levels of speed and reliability greater than mixed-traffic transit. Higher order transit can include heavy rail (such as subways and inter-city rail), light rail, and buses in dedicated rights-of-way.
Highly vulnerable aquifer
Aquifers, including lands above the aquifers, on which external sources have or are likely to have a significant adverse effect. (Greenbelt Plan)
Hydrologic function
The functions of the hydrological cycle that include the occurrence, circulation, distribution and chemical and physical properties of water on the surface of the land, in the soil and underlying rocks, and in the atmosphere, and water’s interaction with the environment including its relation to living things. (PPS, 2020)
Impacts of a Changing Climate
The present and future consequences from changes in weather patterns at local and regional levels including extreme weather events and increased climate variability. (PPS, 2020)
Infrastructure
Physical structures (facilities and corridors) that form the foundation for development. Infrastructure includes: sewage and water systems, septage treatment systems, stormwater management systems, waste management systems, electricity generation facilities, electricity transmission and distribution systems, communications/telecommunications, transit and transportation corridors and facilities, oil and gas pipelines and associated facilities. (PPS, 2020)
Inner ring
The geographic area consisting of the cities of Hamilton and Toronto and the Regions of Durham, Halton, Peel, and York.
Innisfil heights strategic settlement smployment area
Location set out in Schedule 8. The Innisfil Heights strategic settlement employment area boundary is determined by the Minister and planned for in accordance with the policies in subsection 6.4.
Intensification
The development of a property, site or area at a higher density than currently exists through:
  1. redevelopment, including the reuse of brownfield sites;
  2. the development of vacant and/or underutilized lots within previously developed areas;
  3. infill development; and
  4. the expansion or conversion of existing buildings.
(PPS, 2020)
Intermittent streams
Stream-related watercourses that contain water or are dry at times of the year that are more or less predictable, generally flowing during wet seasons of the year but not the entire year, and where the water table is above the stream bottom during parts of the year. (Greenbelt Plan)
Joint development
Agreements entered into voluntarily between the public sector and property owners or third parties, whereby private entities share some of the costs of infrastructure improvements or contribute some benefits back to the public sector based on a mutual recognition of the benefits of such infrastructure improvements. Approaches to joint development may be recommended in guidelines developed by the Province.
Key hydrologic areas
Significant groundwater recharge areas, highly vulnerable aquifers, and significant surface water contribution areas that are necessary for the ecological and hydrologic integrity of a watershed.
Key hydrologic features
Permanent streams, intermittent streams, inland lakes and their littoral zones, seepage areas and springs, and wetlands.
Key natural heritage features
Habitat of endangered species and threatened species; fish habitat; wetlands; life science areas of natural and scientific interest (ANSIs), significant valleylands, significant woodlands; significant wildlife habitat(including habitat of special concern species); sand barrens, savannahs, and tallgrass prairies; and alvars.
Lake simcoe regional airport economic employment district
Location set out in Schedule 8. The Lake Simcoe Regional Airport economic employment district boundary is determined by the Minister and planned for in accordance with the policies in subsection 6.4. Major retail and residential uses are not permitted.
Large subsurface sewage disposal systems
Subsurface disposal systems with a design capacity in excess of 10,000 litres per day. These systems are to be designed in accordance with section 22 of “Design Guidelines for Sewage Works, 2008”.
Life science areas of natural and scientific interest (ANSIs)
An area that has been identified as having life science values related to protection, scientific study, or education; and further identified by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry using evaluation procedures established by that Ministry, as amended from time to time. (Greenbelt Plan)
Low impact development
An approach to stormwater management that seeks to manage rain and other precipitation as close as possible to where it falls to mitigate the impacts of increased runoff and stormwater pollution. It typically includes a set of site design strategies and distributed, small-scale structural practices to mimic the natural hydrology to the greatest extent possible through infiltration, evapotranspiration, harvesting, filtration, and detention of stormwater. Low impact development can include, for example: bio-swales, vegetated areas at the edge of paved surfaces, permeable pavement, rain gardens, green roofs, and exfiltration systems. Low impact development often employs vegetation and soil in its design, however, that does not always have to be the case and the specific form may vary considering local conditions and community character.
Major goods movement facilities and corridors
The transportation facilities and corridors associated with the inter- and intra-provincial movement of goods. Examples include: inter-modal facilities, ports, airports, truck terminals, freight corridors, freight facilities, and haul routes and primary transportation corridors used for the movement of goods. Approaches that are freight-supportive may be recommended in guidelines developed by the Province or based on municipal approaches that achieve the same objectives. (PPS, 2020)
Major office
Freestanding office buildings of approximately 4,000 square metres of floor space or greater, or with approximately 200 jobs or more.
Major retail
Large-scale or large-format stand-alone retail stores or retail centres that have the primary purpose of commercial activities.
Major transit station area
The area including and around any existing or planned higher order transit station or stop within a settlement area; or the area including and around a major bus depot in an urban core. Major transit station areas generally are defined as the area within an approximate 500 to 800 metre radius of a transit station, representing about a 10-minute walk.
Major trip generators
Origins and destinations with high population densities or concentrated activities which generate many trips (e.g., urban growth centres and other downtowns, major office and office parks, major retail, employment areas, community hubs, large parks and recreational destinations, post-secondary institutions and other public service facilities, and other mixed-use areas).
Mineral aggregate operations
  1. lands under license or permit, other than for wayside pits and quarries, issued in accordance with the Aggregate Resources Act;
  2. for lands not designated under the Aggregate Resources Act, established pits and quarries that are not in contravention of municipal zoning by-laws and including adjacent land under agreement with or owned by the operator, to permit continuation of the operation; and
  3. associated facilities used in extraction, transport, beneficiation, processing, or recycling of mineral aggregate resources and derived products, such as asphalt and concrete, or the production of secondary related products.
(PPS, 2020)
Mineral aggregate resources
Gravel, sand, clay, earth, shale, stone, limestone, dolostone, sandstone, marble, granite, rock or other material prescribed under the Aggregate Resources Act suitable for construction, industrial, manufacturing and maintenance purposes but does not include metallic ores, asbestos, graphite, kyanite, mica, nepheline syenite, salt, talc, wollastonite, mine tailings or other material prescribed under the Mining Act. (PPS, 2020)
Minimum distance separation formulae
Formulae and guidelines developed by the Province, as amended from time to time, to separate uses so as to reduce incompatibility concerns about odour from livestock facilities. (PPS, 2020)
Modal share
The percentage of person-trips or of freight movements made by one travel mode, relative to the total number of such trips made by all modes.
Multimodal
Relating to the availability or use of more than one form of transportation, such as automobiles, walking, cycling, buses, rapid transit, rail (such as commuter and freight), trucks, air, and marine. (Based on PPS, 2020 and modified for this Plan)
Municipal comprehensive review
A new official plan, or an official plan amendment, initiated by an upper- or single-tier municipality under section 26 of the Planning Act that comprehensively applies the policies and schedules of this Plan.
Municipal water and wastewater systems
Municipal water systems are all or part of a drinking-water system:
  1. that is owned by a municipality or by a municipal service board established under section 195 of the Municipal Act, 2001;
  2. that is owned by a corporation established under section 203 of the Municipal Act, 2001;
  3. from which a municipality obtains or will obtain water under the terms of a contract between the municipality and the owner of the system; or
  4. that is in a prescribed class of municipal drinking-water systems as defined in regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, including centralized and decentralized systems.
And, municipal wastewater systems are any sewage works owned or operated by a municipality.
Municipalities with primary settlement areas
City of Barrie, City of Orillia, Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Town of Collingwood, Town of Innisfil, Town of Midland, Town of New Tecumseth, and Town of Penetanguishene.
Natural heritage features and areas
Features and areas, including significant wetlands, significant coastal wetlands, other coastal wetlands in Ecoregions 5E, 6E and 7E, fish habitat, significant woodlands and significant valleylands in Ecoregions 6E and 7E (excluding islands in Lake Huron and the St. Marys River), habitat of endangered species and threatened species, significant wildlife habitat, and significant areas of natural and scientific interest, which are important for their environmental and social values as a legacy of the natural landscapes of an area. (PPS, 2020)
Natural heritage system
A system made up of natural heritage features and areas, and linkages intended to provide connectivity (at the regional or site level) and support natural processes which are necessary to maintain biological and geological diversity, natural functions, viable populations of indigenous species, and ecosystems. The system can include key natural heritage features, key hydrologic features, federal and provincial parks and conservation reserves, other natural heritage features and areas, lands that have been restored or have the potential to be restored to a natural state, associated areas that support hydrologic functions, and working landscapes that enable ecological functions to continue. (Based on PPS, 2020 and modified for this Plan)
Natural heritage system for the growth plan
The natural heritage system mapped and issued by the Province in accordance with this Plan.
Natural self-sustaining vegetation
Vegetation dominated by native plant species that can grow and persist without direct human management, protection, or tending. (Greenbelt Plan)
Negative impact
  1. In regard to water, degradation to the quality or quantity of surface or groundwater, key hydrologic features or vulnerable areas and their related hydrologic functions due to single, multiple or successive development or site alteration activities;
  2. In regard to fish habitat, any permanent alteration to or destruction of fish habitat, except where, in conjunction with the appropriate authorities, it has been authorized under the Fisheries Act; and
  3. In regard to other natural heritage features and areas, degradation that threatens the health and integrity of the natural features or ecological functions for which an area is identified due to single, multiple or successive development or site alteration activities.
New multiple lots or units for residential development
The creation of more than three units or lots through either plan of subdivision, consent, or plan of condominium.
Normal farm practices
A practice, as defined in the Farming and Food Production Protection Act, 1998, that is conducted in a manner consistent with proper and acceptable customs and standards as established and followed by similar agricultural operations under similar circumstances; or makes use of innovative technology in a manner consistent with proper advanced farm management practices. Normal farm practices shall be consistent with the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 and regulations made under that Act. (PPS, 2020)
Office parks
Employment areas or areas where there are significant concentrations of offices with high employment densities.
On-farm diversified uses
Uses that are secondary to the principal agricultural use of the property, and are limited in area. On-farm diversified uses include, but are not limited to, home occupations, home industries, agri-tourism uses, and uses that produce value-added agricultural products. Ground-mounted solar facilities are permitted in prime agricultural areas and specialty crop areas only as on-farm diversified uses. (PPS, 2020)
Outer ring
The geographic area consisting of the cities of Barrie, Brantford, Guelph, Kawartha Lakes, Orillia, and Peterborough; the Counties of Brant, Dufferin, Haldimand, Northumberland, Peterborough, Simcoe, and Wellington; and the Regions of Niagara and Waterloo.
Planned corridors
Corridors or future corridors which are required to meet projected needs, and are identified through this Plan, preferred alignment(s) determined through the Environmental Assessment Act process, or identified through planning studies where the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, Metrolinx, or Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) or any successor to those Ministries or entities, is actively pursuing the identification of a corridor. Approaches for the protection of planned corridors may be recommended in guidelines developed by the Province. (Based on PPS, 2020 and modified for this Plan)
Primary settlement areas
Locations set out in Schedule 8. Primary settlement areas are the settlement areas of the City of Barrie, the City of Orillia, the Town of Collingwood, the Town of Midland together with the Town of Penetanguishene, and the settlement areas of the communities of Alcona in the Town of Innisfil, Alliston in the Town of New Tecumseth and Bradford in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.
Prime agricultural area
An area where prime agricultural lands predominate. This includes areas of prime agricultural lands and associated Canada Land Inventory Class 4 through 7 lands and additional areas where there is a local concentration of farms which exhibit characteristics of ongoing agriculture. Prime agricultural areas are to be identified by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs using guidelines developed by the Province as amended from time to time. (Based on PPS, 2020 and modified for this Plan)
Prime agricultural lands
Specialty crop areas and/or Canada Land Inventory Class 1, 2, and 3 lands, as amended from time to time, in this order of priority for protection (PPS, 2020).
Priority transit corridors
Transit corridors shown in Schedule 5 or as further identified by the Province for the purpose of implementing this Plan.
Private communal water and wastewater systems
Private communal water systems are drinking-water systems that are not municipal water systems and that serve six or more lots or private residences, and
Private communal wastewater systems are sewage works that serve six or more lots or private residences and are not owned or operated by a municipality.
Provincially significant employment zones
Areas defined by the Minister in consultation with affected municipalities for the purpose of long-term planning for job creation and economic development. Provincially significant employment zones can consist of employment areas as well as mixed-use areas that contain a significant number of jobs.
Public service facilities
Lands, buildings and structures for the provision of programs and services provided or subsidized by a government or other body, such as social assistance, recreation, police and fire protection, health and educational programs, long-term care services and cultural services. Public service facilities do not include infrastructure. (PPS, 2020)
Public realm
All spaces to which the public has unrestricted access, such as streets, parks, and sidewalks.
Quality and quantity of water
Measured by indicators associated with hydrologic function such as minimum base flow, depth to water table, aquifer pressure, oxygen levels, suspended solids, temperature, bacteria, nutrients and hazardous contaminants, and hydrologic regime. (PPS, 2020)
Rama road economic employment district
Location set out in Schedule 8. The Rama Road economic employment district boundary is determined by the Minister and planned for in accordance with the policies in subsection 6.4. Major retail uses are not permitted.
Redevelopment
The creation of new units, uses or lots on previously developed land in existing communities, including brownfield sites. (PPS, 2020)
Renewable energy system
A system that generates electricity, heat and/or cooling from a renewable energy source.
A renewable energy source is an energy source that is renewed by natural processes and includes wind, water, biomass, biogas, biofuel, solar energy, geothermal energy and tidal forces. (PPS, 2020)
Rural lands
Lands which are located outside settlement areas and which are outside prime agricultural areas. (PPS, 2020)
Rural settlements
Existing hamlets or similar existing small settlement areas that are long-established and identified in official plans. These communities are serviced by individual private on-site water and/or private wastewater systems, contain a limited amount of undeveloped lands that are designated for development and are subject to official plan policies that limit growth. All settlement areas that are identified as hamlets in the Greenbelt Plan, as rural settlements in the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, or as minor urban centres in the Niagara Escarpment Plan are considered rural settlements for the purposes of this Plan, including those that would not otherwise meet this definition.
Sand barren
Land (not including land that is being used for agricultural purposes or no longer exhibits sand barren characteristics) that:
  1. has sparse or patchy vegetation that is dominated by plants that are:
    1. adapted to severe drought and low nutrient levels; and
    2. maintained by severe environmental limitations such as drought, low nutrient levels, and periodic disturbances such as fire;
  2. has less than 25 per cent tree cover;
  3. has sandy soils (other than shorelines) exposed by natural erosion, depositional process, or both; and
  4. has been further identified, by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry or by any other person, according to evaluation procedures established by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, as amended from time to time.
(Greenbelt Plan)
Savannah
Land (not including land that is being used for agricultural purposes or no longer exhibits savannah characteristics) that:
  1. has vegetation with a significant component of non-woody plants, including tallgrass prairie species that are maintained by seasonal drought, periodic disturbances such as fire, or both;
  2. has from 25 per cent to 60 per cent tree cover;
  3. has mineral soils; and
  4. has been further identified, by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry or by any other person, according to evaluation procedures established by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, as amended from time to time.
(Greenbelt Plan)
Seepage areas and springs
Sites of emergence of groundwater where the water table is present at the ground surface. (Greenbelt Plan)
Sensitive land uses
Buildings, amenity areas, or outdoor spaces where routine or normal activities occurring at reasonably expected times would experience one or more adverse effects from contaminant discharges generated by nearby major facilities. Sensitive land uses may be a part of the natural or built environment. Examples may include, but are not limited to: residences, day care centres, and educational and health facilities. (PPS, 2020)
Settlement areas
Urban areasand rural settlements within municipalities (such as cities, towns, villages and hamlets) that are:
  1. built up areas where development is concentrated and which have a mix of land uses; and
  2. lands which have been designated in an official plan for development in accordance with the policies of this Plan. Where there are no lands that have been designated for development, the settlement area may be no larger than the area where development is concentrated.
(Based on PPS, 2020 and modified for this Plan)
Sewage works
Any works for the collection, transmission, treatment, and disposal of sewage or any part of such works, but does not include plumbing to which the Building Code Act, 1992 applies. (Ontario Water Resources Act)
For the purposes of this definition:
Sewage includes, but is not limited to drainage, stormwater, residential wastewater, commercial wastewater, and industrial wastewater.
Significant groundwater recharge area
An area that has been identified:
  1. as a significant groundwater recharge area by any public body for the purposes of implementing the PPS, 2020;
  2. as a significant groundwater recharge area in the assessment report required under the Clean Water Act, 2006; or
  3. as an ecologically significant groundwater recharge area delineated in a subwatershed plan or equivalent in accordance with provincial guidelines.
For the purposes of this definition, ecologically significant groundwater recharge areas are areas of land that are responsible for replenishing groundwater systems that directly support sensitive areas like cold water streams and wetlands. (Greenbelt Plan)
Significant surface water contribution areas
Areas, generally associated with headwater catchments, that contribute to baseflow volumes which are significant to the overall surface water flow volumes within a watershed. (Greenbelt Plan)
Significant wetland
A wetland that has been identified as provincially significant by the Province. (Based on PPS, 2020 and modified for this Plan)
Significant wildlife habitat
A wildlife habitat that is ecologically important in terms of features, functions, representation or amount, and contributing to the quality and diversity of an identifiable geographic area or natural heritage system. These are to be identified using criteria established by the Province. (Based on PPS, 2020 and modified for this Plan)
Significant woodland
A woodland which is ecologically important in terms of features such as species composition, age of trees and stand history; functionally important due to its contribution to the broader landscape because of its location, size or due to the amount of forest cover in the planning area; or economically important due to site quality, species composition, or past management history. These are to be identified using criteria established by the Province. (Based on PPS, 2020 and modified for this Plan)
Significant valleyland
A valleyland which is ecologically important in terms of features, functions, representation or amount, and contributing to the quality and diversity of an identifiable geographic area or natural heritage system. These are to be identified using criteria established by the Province. (Based on PPS, 2020 and modified for this Plan)
Simcoe sub-area
The geographic area consisting of the County of Simcoe, the City of Barrie and the City of Orillia.
Site alteration
Activities, such as grading, excavation and the placement of fill that would change the landform and natural vegetative characteristics of a site. (PPS, 2020)
Specialty crop area
Areas designated using guidelines developed by the Province, as amended from time to time. In these areas, specialty crops are predominantly grown such as tender fruits (peaches, cherries, plums), grapes, other fruit crops, vegetable crops, greenhouse crops, and crops from agriculturally developed organic soil usually resulting from:
  1. soils that have suitability to produce specialty crops, or lands that are subject to special climatic conditions, or a combination of both;
  2. farmers skilled in the production of specialty crops; and
  3. a long-term investment of capital in areas such as crops, drainage, infrastructure and related facilities and services to produce, store, or process specialty crops.
(PPS, 2020)
Stormwater master plan
A long-range plan that assesses existing and planned stormwater facilities and systems and outlines stormwater infrastructure requirements for new and existing development within a settlement area. Stormwater master plans are informed by watershed planning and are completed in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.
Stormwater management plan
A plan that provides direction to avoid or minimize and mitigate stormwater volume, contaminant loads, and impacts on receiving water courses to: maintain groundwater quality and flow and stream baseflow; protect water quality; minimize the disruption of pre-existing (natural) drainage patterns wherever possible; prevent increases in stream channel erosion; prevent any increase in flood risk; and protect aquatic species and their habitat.
Strategic growth areas
Within settlement areas, nodes, corridors, and other areas that have been identified by municipalities or the Province to be the focus for accommodating intensification and higher-density mixed uses in a more compact built form. Strategic growth areas include urban growth centres, major transit station areas, and other major opportunities that may include infill, redevelopment, brownfield sites, the expansion or conversion of existing buildings, or greyfields.Lands along major roads, arterials, or other areas with existing or planned frequent transit service or higher order transit corridors may also be identified as strategic growth areas.
Strategic settlement employment areas
Areas that have been identified by the Minister that are to be planned and protected for employment uses that require large lots of land and depend upon efficient movement of goods and access to Highway 400. These are not settlement areas. Major retail and residential uses are not permitted.
Subwatershed plan
A plan that reflects and refines the goals, objectives, targets, and assessments of watershed planning, as available at the time a subwatershed planis completed, for smaller drainage areas, is tailored to subwatershed needs and addresses local issues.
A subwatershed plan should: consider existing development and evaluate impacts of any potential or proposed land uses and development; identify hydrologic features, areas, linkages, and functions; identify natural features, areas, and related hydrologic functions; and provide for protecting, improving, or restoring the quality and quantity of water within a subwatershed.
A subwatershed plan is based on pre-development monitoring and evaluation; is integrated with natural heritage protection; and identifies specific criteria, objectives, actions, thresholds, targets, and best management practices for development, for water and wastewater servicing, for stormwater management, for managing and minimizing impacts related to severe weather events, and to support ecological needs. (Greenbelt Plan)
Surface water features
Water-related features on the earth’s surface, including headwaters, rivers, stream channels, inland lakes, seepage areas, recharge/discharge areas, springs, wetlands, and associated riparian lands that can be defined by their soil moisture, soil type, vegetation or topographic characteristics. (PPS, 2020)
Tallgrass prairies
Land (not including land that is being used for agricultural purposes or no longer exhibits tallgrass prairie characteristics) that:
  1. has vegetation dominated by non-woody plants, including tallgrass prairie species that are maintained by seasonal drought, periodic disturbances such as fire, or both;
  2. has less than 25 per cent tree cover;
  3. has mineral soils; and
  4. has been further identified, by the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry or by any other person, according to evaluation procedures established by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, as amended from time to time.
(Greenbelt Plan)
Total developable area
The total area of the property less the area occupied by key natural heritage features, key hydrologic features and any related vegetation protection zone. (Greenbelt Plan)
Transit service integration
The co-ordinated planning or operation of transit service between two or more agencies or services that contributes to the goal of seamless service for riders and could include considerations of service schedules, service routes, information, fare policy, and fare payment.
Transit-supportive
Relating to development that makes transit viable and improves the quality of the experience of using transit. It often refers to compact, mixed-use development that has a high level of employment and residential densities. Transit-supportive development will be consistent with Ontario’s Transit Supportive Guidelines. 
Transportation demand management
A set of strategies that result in more efficient use of the transportation system by influencing travel behaviour by mode, time of day, frequency, trip length, regulation, route, or cost. (PPS, 2020)
Transportation system
A system consisting of facilities, corridors and rights-of-way for the movement of people and goods, and associated transportation facilities including transit stops and stations, sidewalks, cycle lanes, bus lanes, high occupancy vehicle lanes, rail facilities, parking facilities, park-and-ride lots, service centres, rest stops, vehicle inspection stations, inter-modal facilities, harbours, airports, marine facilities, ferries, canals and associated facilities such as storage and maintenance. (PPS, 2020)
Urban growth centres
Existing or emerging downtown areas shown in Schedule 4 and as further identified by the Minister on April 2, 2008.
Valleylands
A natural area that occurs in a valley or other landform depression that has water flowing through or standing for some period of the year. (PPS, 2020)
Vegetation protection zone
A vegetated buffer area surrounding a key natural heritage feature or key hydrologic feature. (Greenbelt Plan)
Water resource system
A system consisting of ground water features and areas and surface water features (including shoreline areas), and hydrologic functions, which provide the water resources necessary to sustain healthy aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and human water consumption. The water resource system will comprise key hydrologic features and key hydrologic areas. (PPS, 2020)
Watershed
An area that is drained by a river and its tributaries. (PPS, 2020)
Watershed planning
Planning that provides a framework for establishing goals, objectives, and direction for the protection of water resources, the management of human activities, land, water, aquatic life, and resources within a watershed and for the assessment of cumulative, cross-jurisdictional, and cross-watershed impacts.
Watershed planning typically includes: watershed characterization, a water budget, and conservation plan; nutrient loading assessments; consideration of the impacts of a changing climate and severe weather events; land and water use management objectives and strategies; scenario modelling to evaluate the impacts of forecasted growth and servicing options, and mitigation measures; an environmental monitoring plan; requirements for the use of environmental best management practices, programs, and performance measures; criteria for evaluating the protection of quality and quantity of water; the identification and protection of hydrologic features, areas, and functions and the inter-relationships between or among them; and targets for the protection and restoration of riparian areas.
Watershed planning is undertaken at many scales, and considers cross-jurisdictional and cross-watershed impacts. The level of analysis and specificity generally increases for smaller geographic areas such as subwatersheds and tributaries. (Greenbelt Plan)
Wetlands
Lands that are seasonally or permanently covered by shallow water, as well as lands where the water table is close to or at the surface. In either case the presence of abundant water has caused the formation of hydric soils and has favoured the dominance of either hydrophytic plants or water tolerant plants. The four major types of wetlands are swamps, marshes, bogs and fens.
Periodically soaked or wet lands being used for agricultural purposes which no longer exhibit wetland characteristics are not considered to be wetlands for the purposes of this definition.
Wetlands are further identified, by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry or by any other person, according to evaluation procedures established by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, as amended from time to time. (Greenbelt Plan)
Wildlife habitat
Areas where plants, animals and other organisms live, and find adequate amounts of food, water, shelter and space needed to sustain their populations. Specific wildlife habitats of concern may include areas where species concentrate at a vulnerable point in their annual or life cycle; and areas which are important to migratory or non-migratory species. (PPS, 2020)
Woodlands
Treed areas that provide environmental and economic benefits to both the private landowner and the general public, such as erosion prevention, hydrological and nutrient cycling, provision of clean air and the long-term storage of carbon, provision of wildlife habitat, outdoor recreational opportunities, and the sustainable harvest of a wide range of woodland products. Woodlands include treed areas, woodlots or forested areas and vary in their level of significance at the local, regional and provincial levels. Woodlands may be delineated according to the Forestry Act definition or the Province’s Ecological Land Classification system definition for “forest.” (PPS, 2020)