So, you get sent a registered letter regarding a butter’s rights on an Are, blighted boughs, a bona fide boundary road, a perforated party-wall, reliction from a reservoir, and an assignee at issue with a tenancy at sufferance. Consulting with an urban planning consultant expert can help, but what do any of those words mean? More importantly, where to begin with the procedure?
Well, if the onerous letter is from an ombudsman or municipal officer instead of a nuisance neighbour, it is first highly recommended to consult a lawyer regarding your milieu and the opaque language. An alternative paradigm may involve checking with a professional land use planner whose vernacular matches the jargon, or possibly the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), not to be confused with the OLT – Ontario Land Tribunal, which is for settling planning applications and appeals.
If reading the above made you say, “Was that actually in English, or did you start writing nonsense?” then our jargonary may be a great fit for you! Words rarely used outside of the development and planning fields can be confusing and weird. Even some common words like ‘Rod’ and ‘Are’ can be used in a very different context and refer to an older measurement of length, roughly 16.5 feet (5 metres) and the area equivalent to roughly 100 square metres, respectively.
As planning professionals, we’ve encountered these odd terms and have created the World’s BEST Dictionary of Jargon (i.e. Jargonary) for the land development and real estate industry.
Our Jargonary contains over 1600 terms that could be confusing or misleading if you don’t understand them in the context of land use/development planning. Grab your copy today!
How Our Jargonary Helps
This is not just another glossary. Our Jargonary was designed by experienced land development consultants who have sat through hundreds of planning hearings, drafted policy reports, and led community consultation sessions. We know where confusion happens because we have seen it firsthand.
Our mission? Translate the technical into the understandable. Take the term “built form.” Sounds harmless, right? In the world of urban planning solutions, it refers to the shape, size, and configuration of buildings on a site. Something that can directly affect shadows, wind tunnels, and neighbourhood character. Understanding it helps you understand what’s being proposed next door.
Or consider site-specific zoning. It means zoning tailored for a specific property, often with negotiated conditions. That can be a game-changer when a land development company wants to upzone a low-density property into a mixed-use tower.
With our guide, you won’t need to Google every second term from city websites. We provide short, clear definitions with planning context, real-world examples, and bonus cross-referencing features for commonly misunderstood terms. For more information, please refer to our guide.
Who This Is For
The Jargonary is not just for planners or developers. It is for anyone engaging with the planning process. That includes:
- Homeowners affected by a neighbour’s new build or laneway suite.
- Commercial tenants are curious about zoning restrictions.
- Real estate agents and investors are interpreting Official Plan policies or Zoning By-law Amendments.
- Community members advocating for or against a project.
- Lawyers are trying to bridge the client’s understanding.
- Students entering the world of planning or real estate.
We have even had users from a land development agency tell us it became an onboarding cornerstone for their new hires.
Beyond the Dictionary: Real-World Application
Let’s say you are a developer preparing an application for site plan approval in Ontario. Your team submits drawings, technical reports, and a Planning Justification Report. The city circulates the application, public notices go out. That is where our Jargonary becomes a tool not just for education, but engagement. Use it to help stakeholders understand what is being proposed and why. When people understand the language, the panic often dissipates, and conversations become productive.
Similarly, if you are working with an urban planning consultancy and trying to convey complex ideas in community meetings, the Jargonary serves as a neutral translator. It can help de-escalate tension and bring clarity where confusion previously reigned.
Urban Planning Is Evolving
Ontario’s urban planning landscape is changing quickly. From updates to the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) to intensification targets and transit-oriented communities, the push for sustainable growth has added layers of complexity to the planning process.
Today’s planning approvals require more than just technical knowledge, they require the ability to explain. Many Urban planning consultants report that community opposition is often driven by misunderstanding, not ideology. This shift has made clear communication a vital tool for any land use planner. Whether you are reviewing a shadow study, participating in a public consultation, or navigating an appeal at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), our definitions clarify the confusion and help you move forward with confidence.
Planning Jargon Isn’t Going Anywhere
Language can be a barrier or a bridge. In land use planning, it too often becomes the former, alienating the very people it is supposed to serve. But when language is made accessible, it empowers more informed decisions, better dialogue, and stronger communities.
The World’s BEST Dictionary of Land Development Jargon was built to be more than a glossary. It is a gateway to participation in the planning process.
So, whether you are a developer working with an Urban planning consultant, a municipal officer navigating submissions, or a concerned citizen showing up at a public hearing, our Jargonary makes sure you are never left wondering what “co-terminous boundary conditions” mean ever again.
At Urban in Mind, We Speak Planning Fluently
Urban planning language was not designed for everyday people. It is filled with legacy terms, policy-speak, and obscure legal references that can make even the most engaged citizen feel shut out of the process. That is exactly why Urban in Mind exists: to demystify jargon and build bridges of understanding. Land use planning in Ontario does not have to feel like another language.
With our Jargonary, it finally speaks your language. Whether you are searching for answers from a trusted land development consultant, looking to educate clients as part of your urban planning consultancy, or want to bridge the gap between technical knowledge and community understanding. Our Jargonary is your toolkit for clarity. Ready to cut through the complexity? Visit our shop and get your hands on the World’s BEST Dictionary of Jargon. Over 1600 terms. Real-world usage. Planner-approved explanations. Grab Your Copy Today!
Have questions or need expert guidance? Call us at (905) 320-8120 or email us at contact@urbaninmind.ca — we’re here to help you navigate land development with confidence.
As we are a growing company, there are often positions available. If applying for a position, please send your resume with cover letter outlining your qualifications to the following email: 
At Urban in Mind™, we represent developers, builders, municipalities, landlords, special interest groups, neighbourhood associations and individual residents, to name a few… all in the hope of creating “Good” development for all. With over three decades of experience in the municipal planning, education planning and development field, we are confident that your project couldn’t be in safer hands.
