Planning
From city-wide initiatives to your neighbourhood park, get the details on land-use and development processes for the city's rural, suburban and urban areas.
Built heritage
Learn about the City of Ottawa’s built heritage program, which protects and restores historic buildings and sites.
Development application review process
Read the step-by-step guide through the City’s development application process. Identify, investigate and make comments on applications within the development process using this convenient Development Application Search tool.
Intensification: A Sound Investment
Watch the Intensification: A Sound Investment video to learn about compact sustainable communities.
Brownfields Redevelopment Program
Read about the City’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program for Brownfield properties.
Community plans and studies
Find community design plans for various city neighbourhoods.
Design and planning guidelines
Find out about the City’s design and planning guidelines.
Downtown Ottawa: Designed for Living
Read about what makes downtown Ottawa a great place to live, work and play.
Master plans
Find policies and strategies for managing the city's growth.
Neighbourhood planning
Official Plan
Ottawa Urban Design Awards
Read about the bi-annual Ottawa Urban Design Awards.
Planning primer
Enroll in Planning Primer courses to learn about the land-use planning process.
Zoning by-laws
Learn about zoning by-laws, which implement Official Plan policies for land use and development.
Committee of Adjustment
Find out more about Ottawa's Committee of Adjustment, which resolves issues related to properties or buildings.