Adjacent Development Review

Building Near Metrolinx - Guidelines and Permits

Development projects near Metrolinx rail corridors

You need to contact Metrolinx for sign off/approvals or to obtain a permit (where applicable) on lands that are located:

Next to or within 300 metres of a Metrolinx-owned GO Transit/UP Express rail corridor, or ;
Next to or within 60 metres of a Metrolinx Light Rail Transit (LRT) corridor (e.g., Eglinton Crosstown, Finch West and Hazel McCallion Line)
Next to or within 60 metres of the Transit Corridor Lands of a Priority Transit Project (e.g., Ontario Line, Scarborough Subway Extension, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, Yonge North Subway Extension, and Hamilton Light Rail Transit).

Determine if your if your property is located within the Metrolinx Zone of Influence check out the Third Party Coordination & Permitting Application. If you have additional questions, please contact development.coordinator@metrolinx.com.

Key reference documents

Key reference documents are set out below. These documents include key information regarding:
Rail-oriented design requirements and standards (such as setbacks and safety barriers)
Submission requirements
Legal agreements
Fees (as applicable)

Please note: The Metrolinx Developer's Guide for LRT Toronto Corridors is currently under review. In the interim please contact vibha.singh@metrolinx.com for further information regarding development review requirements and associated fees for the Eglinton Crosstown and Finch LRT corridors.

GO Transit Rail Corridors – Adjacent Development Guidelines

GO Transit Rail Corridors - Overbuild Development Guidelines

Metrolinx LRT Hurontario Corridor – Metrolinx Developer’s Guide

Metrolinx Corridor Development Permit Guideline for Adjacent Development (Interim)

Depending on your project parameters, Metrolinx development agreements may be required to specify technical requirements, roles, and responsibilities. Agreements may be required, for example, to address general Adjacent Development matters, Crane Swing activity, and/or Shoring/Tieback installations. Applicability and content will vary depending on the nature of the development activity in question.

Metrolinx staff will assist with document refinement, and this process can begin at any time during the planning process, although it should be noted that these agreements must make reference to final project plans and, as such, finalization of the documents usually occurs in the latter stages of planning approvals.

Metrolinx Legal typically requires six (6) weeks for review of the final document, although this may vary depending on the complexity of the issues contemplated. Revisions to the Metrolinx template documents are discouraged to expedite the review process.

Metrolinx’s fees and agreement requirements have been updated and will be effective as of September 1, 2023. For more information regarding key considerations, fees, and insurance requirements associated with each type of development agreement, please review the Additional Information for Development Agreements.

Before submitting an application, review Metrolinx's development overview process for third parties. This document includes a summary list for a ‘Complete Application’ submission with helpful reference links.