The Official Plan is a comprehensive document designed to guide and direct future growth of the city in a logical and orderly manner to ensure healthy growth, which will benefit all residents. Since the Official Plan sets the tone and direction for the entire city, it must be detailed enough to guide day-to-day decision making on land use, transportation and development matters yet general enough to allow for some flexibility. The Official Plan is, in effect, a blueprint of how a city wants to guide and direct future land use development.
The Official Plan is intended to be of assistance to both community interests and public administrators. Through the Official Plan, private interests are informed of future development policies and as a result are encouraged to plan accordingly. Public administrators benefit by an enhanced ability to program future services that result in the most cost-effective delivery of those services.
If a proponent wishes to develop land differently than the Official Plan prescribes, they may make an application for an Official Plan Amendment. Official Plan Amendments can be citywide, area-wide or site-specific.
Before you begin
Before you begin
If you believe an Official Plan Amendment is needed in order to carry out your proposed development, you are required to meet and discuss your proposal with staff through a pre-consultation. A meeting with staff will help to determine if an amendment is in fact needed, if the proposed development is appropriate for the site, or if there is another way in which the development could be accomplished. The pre-consultation process is designed to help promote the exchange of information and development considerations, including the policy direction within the Plan for the particular type of development, early in the planning process and a customized list of the studies and plans required in support of a development application is provided.
Process
Process
Given the importance of an Official Plan Amendment and the impact a change in the Official Plan may have on a community, there is a public consultation process which includes providing notice to all property owners within 120 metres of the subject site. City Council or the Ontario Land Tribunal must approve any amendment to the Official Plan.
The Planning Act has a provision whereby City Council must make a decision on any Official Plan Amendment application within 120 days of receiving a complete application. If City Council does not make a decision within this timeframe, the applicant can appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal on the basis that a decision has not been made within this time period.
For additional details on the steps associated with the processing and review of development applications, please refer to the City’s development application process information.
Fees
Fees
The fee for an application for Official Plan Amendment (effective January 1, 2024) is $35,983.78 (including HST) plus an initial Conservation Authority fee of $820.00.
Please see additional information related to the City’s Development Application Fees including information related to reductions for multiple applications, on-site signs, re-circulations, Ontario Land Tribunal City Legal Costs as well as refunds.
Apply
Apply
If it is determined that an amendment to the Official Plan is the only means available for accomplishing your development. Applications can be submitted to planningcirculations@ottawa.ca accompanied by required plans, studies and any other information that may be needed to assess your application.
- Note: If using a file sharing / transfer site to submit supporting documents, please select one that does not restrict access to a single planning staff member or email address.
Official Plan Amendment Application Form
Upon application submission, staff will provide confirmation of the amount due, the specific payment methods available for the application type, and the necessary details for the different payment methods.
Application commissioning, fees and payments
Client Service Centres will continue to offer commissioning services for applications and handle payments for new applications. Please ensure the payer’s name and address are indicated on the cheque.
Contact
Contact
If you require assistance using an electronic application form please contact a Development Information Officer, located at any of the Client Service Centres. You can make an appointment by calling 3-1-1 and asking to speak with a Development Information Officer.
If you would like to speak with planning staff please contact the appropriate development review Planner III by calling 3-1-1 and providing the address of the property you wish to discuss.