Simcoe County stretches from the Greater Toronto Area toward Georgian Bay and cottage country. The upper-tier County has 16 member municipalities. Barrie and Orillia are geographically within Simcoe County but are separated cities rather than lower-tier County members.
Simcoe County municipalities
The 16 member municipalities are Adjala-Tosorontio, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Clearview, Collingwood, Essa, Innisfil, Midland, New Tecumseth, Oro-Medonte, Penetanguishene, Ramara, Severn, Springwater, Tay, Tiny and Wasaga Beach.
Barrie and Orillia are separated cities. The County nevertheless provides certain services to those cities, including paramedic and social/community services.
Why property research varies across Simcoe
The region includes dense urban neighbourhoods, rapidly growing suburbs, farms, rural acreages, Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay shoreline, cottages and environmentally sensitive land. Zoning, servicing and development constraints therefore vary substantially.
Property due-diligence priorities
- Confirm lower-tier zoning and permitted uses.
- Review current municipal and County tax information.
- Check building permits for significant alterations.
- Verify additional residential units.
- Determine municipal versus private water and wastewater servicing.
- Investigate conservation authority, shoreline and flood constraints.
- For rural properties, review wells, septic systems and agricultural restrictions.
- For cottages, verify legal access, road maintenance and seasonal limitations.
Municipality guides
Ontario Home Intel provides individual guides for Barrie, Orillia, Innisfil, Bradford West Gwillimbury, New Tecumseth, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Midland, Penetanguishene, Springwater, Oro-Medonte, Essa, Adjala-Tosorontio, Clearview, Tiny, Tay, Severn and Ramara.
County-level planning and property research
Simcoe County maintains the upper-tier Official Plan and coordinates planning matters that can affect growth areas, agricultural land, natural heritage and settlement boundaries. The County’s July 2026 consolidated Official Plan is an important starting point, but buyers still need to confirm the lower-tier municipality’s current zoning by-law because zoning controls the permitted use and development standards for the individual parcel.
For rural and waterfront purchases, combine the local municipal guide with Ontario Home Intel’s rural property guide, well-water guide and septic-system guide. Buyers planning renovations or additional units should also review the Ontario zoning and permits resource before relying on future construction or rental potential.
How to use these guides before buying
- Start with the municipality guide for the property.
- Confirm the latest tax bill and MPAC assessment.
- Check zoning, permitted uses and any site-specific exceptions.
- Review permit history for additions, finished basements and accessory structures.
- Investigate conservation, flood, shoreline or agricultural constraints where relevant.
- For private servicing, inspect the well and septic system before relying on future occupancy or development plans.
Return to the full Ontario Municipal Property Guides directory to compare communities across the province.
Related Simcoe County resources
- Barrie Property Guide
- Orillia Property Guide
- Innisfil Property Guide
- Collingwood Property Guide
- Wasaga Beach Property Guide
- Ontario Rural Property Guide
- Ontario Zoning & Permits
FAQ
How many member municipalities does Simcoe County have?
Sixteen.
Are Barrie and Orillia lower-tier Simcoe County municipalities?
No. Both are separated cities, although the County provides certain regional services to them.
Why is rural due diligence particularly important here?
Private servicing, shoreline constraints, conservation regulation, agricultural zoning and access can materially affect property use and value.
General information only: Verify current property-specific information with the applicable municipality, County of Simcoe and other relevant authorities or professionals.