Land Use Planning in Ontario

Land Use Planning in Ontario

Well-designed, well-planned communities attract jobs and investment. Ontario’s land use planning system gives municipalities the major role in planning decisions. The ministry identifies and protects provincial interests, and promotes sound infrastructure planning, environmental protection, economic development and safe communities.

Co-ordinated Land Use Planning Review

The four provincial land use plans for the Greater Golden Horseshoe work together to manage growth, protect the natural environment and support economic development. The updated plans were released on May 18, 2017.

• Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2017)
• Greenbelt Plan (2017)
• Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (2017)
• Niagara Escarpment Plan (2017)

To support municipalities, the province has committed this year to:

• Provide information sessions for municipal staff and stakeholders to familiarize them with the updated plans and explain how they will be implemented
• Identify and map a region-wide natural heritage system 
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop an agricultural system that supports the viability of the agri-food sector and consistently protects farmland across the Greater Golden Horseshoe
• Develop a standard land needs assessment methodology
• Develop guidance on watershed planning and on addressing climate change
• Advisory Panel and Advisory Panel Report
• Executive Summary of the Advisory Panel Report
• Resources related to the Co-ordinated Review
• Proposed Minor Changes to the Greenbelt Boundary
• Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2017 - tracked changes
• Greenbelt Plan 2017 - tracked changes
• Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (2002-2017) - tracked changes

The Smart Growth for Our Communities Act, 2015 (Bill 73)

The Smart Growth for Our Communities Act, 2015 (Bill 73) received Royal Assent on December 3, 2015. 

Ontario's changes to the Planning Act and the Development Charges Act are intended to provide for enhanced tools and processes for communities and residents to determine how their neighbourhoods grow, and to plan and pay for growth. The legislation also aims to help municipalities recover more costs for growth-related infrastructure, give residents more say in how their communities grow, protect and promote greenspaces, enhance transparency and accountability, set clearer rules for land use planning, give municipalities more independence to make local decisions and make it easier to resolve disputes.

Support materials have been designed to assist users with understanding the changes to the planning system introduced by the Smart Growth for Our Communities Act, 2015 (Bill 73) and its associated Regulations.

Land Use Planning Resources

The Government of Ontario provides resources grouped into topic areas and are of various types: case studies, guides, guidelines, information, legislation, plans and tools.

Accessibility

Agriculture

Appeals and Mediation

Clean Air, Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy

Cultural Heritage and Archaeology

Environmental Assessment

General Information

Mining, Minerals and Aggregates

Municipal Planning

Natural Heritage, Endangered Species and Wild Life Habitat

Provincial Plans

Transportation

Water