Official Plan update

Share Official Plan update on Facebook Share Official Plan update on Twitter Share Official Plan update on Linkedin Email Official Plan update link

The City of Ottawa is updating its Official Plan. The update is separated into two sections:

  • growth projections-related updates
  • amendments not related to growth projections

What is the Official Plan?  

The Official Plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the policies, objectives, and goals governing land use and development in the City of Ottawa. 

Growth projections

The growth projections will update the population projections using the latest Ministry of Finance population projections for the city of Ottawa and then determine the related housing and employment projections, which are not provided by the Ministry of Finance.

It is a three-step process.

  • First is an update to the growth projections which includes population, household, and employment projections. These will be based on the Ministry of Finance’s population projections for Ottawa from 2024 to 2051.
  • Second is a growth management strategy to determine the land requirements to accommodate the projected growth.
  • The third step, if required, is a selection process for new lands to be added to urban or village areas.  

Non-growth-related amendments

The Official Plan update process will also include non-growth-related amendments. This will include a review of the village secondary plans, but it may also include amendments to implement recent changes to provincial legislation, and resolve policy issues, among other potential changes.

What’s happening?  

Check back here as the project advances. The City will post project updates to announce upcoming events, milestones, opportunities for engagement, and proposed draft policies or schedules. 

How can I get involved? 

There are several ways you can stay informed and engaged throughout the study process: 

  • Attend public events 
  • Sign-up to the project’s email list 
  • Visit this web page to stay up to date about upcoming events and current information 
  • Contact the project leads (see contact information above) at any time during the process to request information, ask questions, or submit feedback. 

The City of Ottawa is updating its Official Plan. The update is separated into two sections:

  • growth projections-related updates
  • amendments not related to growth projections

What is the Official Plan?  

The Official Plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the policies, objectives, and goals governing land use and development in the City of Ottawa. 

Growth projections

The growth projections will update the population projections using the latest Ministry of Finance population projections for the city of Ottawa and then determine the related housing and employment projections, which are not provided by the Ministry of Finance.

It is a three-step process.

  • First is an update to the growth projections which includes population, household, and employment projections. These will be based on the Ministry of Finance’s population projections for Ottawa from 2024 to 2051.
  • Second is a growth management strategy to determine the land requirements to accommodate the projected growth.
  • The third step, if required, is a selection process for new lands to be added to urban or village areas.  

Non-growth-related amendments

The Official Plan update process will also include non-growth-related amendments. This will include a review of the village secondary plans, but it may also include amendments to implement recent changes to provincial legislation, and resolve policy issues, among other potential changes.

What’s happening?  

Check back here as the project advances. The City will post project updates to announce upcoming events, milestones, opportunities for engagement, and proposed draft policies or schedules. 

How can I get involved? 

There are several ways you can stay informed and engaged throughout the study process: 

  • Attend public events 
  • Sign-up to the project’s email list 
  • Visit this web page to stay up to date about upcoming events and current information 
  • Contact the project leads (see contact information above) at any time during the process to request information, ask questions, or submit feedback. 

  • Growth Management Strategy: Background Studies and Analysis

    Share Growth Management Strategy: Background Studies and Analysis on Facebook Share Growth Management Strategy: Background Studies and Analysis on Twitter Share Growth Management Strategy: Background Studies and Analysis on Linkedin Email Growth Management Strategy: Background Studies and Analysis link

    In supporting staff's work to develop a growth management strategy, there are several supporting studies that are under development which can be found in the documents section of this Engage page. This is part of the work that staff is doing to bring a report to Council in 2027 relating to the growth management strategy. We encourage feedback on any of these draft studies through the op@ottawa.ca.

    In supporting staff's work to develop a growth management strategy, there are several supporting studies that are under development which can be found in the documents section of this Engage page. This is part of the work that staff is doing to bring a report to Council in 2027 relating to the growth management strategy. We encourage feedback on any of these draft studies through the op@ottawa.ca.

  • Growth Management Strategy Update: Presentation to Planning Advisory Committee

    Share Growth Management Strategy Update: Presentation to Planning Advisory Committee on Facebook Share Growth Management Strategy Update: Presentation to Planning Advisory Committee on Twitter Share Growth Management Strategy Update: Presentation to Planning Advisory Committee on Linkedin Email Growth Management Strategy Update: Presentation to Planning Advisory Committee link

    On April 20, 2026 Planning Staff presented the Planning Advisory Committee with an update on the Growth Management Strategy and work completed to date. This presentation explains the five possible scenarios for how the City of Ottawa can deal with it's forecasted growth.

    Scenario 1: Observed Market Preferences

    Scenario 2: No settlement area expansion

    Scenario 3: Market Shift to Large Apartments

    Scenario 4: Market Shift to “Missing Middle”

    Scenario 5: Gradual Market Shift

    On April 20, 2026 Planning Staff presented the Planning Advisory Committee with an update on the Growth Management Strategy and work completed to date. This presentation explains the five possible scenarios for how the City of Ottawa can deal with it's forecasted growth.

    Scenario 1: Observed Market Preferences

    Scenario 2: No settlement area expansion

    Scenario 3: Market Shift to Large Apartments

    Scenario 4: Market Shift to “Missing Middle”

    Scenario 5: Gradual Market Shift

  • Growth Management Strategy Update Memo

    Share Growth Management Strategy Update Memo on Facebook Share Growth Management Strategy Update Memo on Twitter Share Growth Management Strategy Update Memo on Linkedin Email Growth Management Strategy Update Memo link

    On April 20, 2026 a memorandum was issued by the General Manager of Planning, Development and Building Services to Council explaining that Planning Staff are deferring Growth Management Strategy (GMS) recommendations due to the draft status of provincial initiatives, which could impact how a GMS is conducted and the content of the implementing Official Plan amendment.

    The primary concern in advancing the GMS at this time is a risk of misalignment with the final changes to the Project Methodology Guideline and the standardization of Official Plans under Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026

    Staff will continue

    On April 20, 2026 a memorandum was issued by the General Manager of Planning, Development and Building Services to Council explaining that Planning Staff are deferring Growth Management Strategy (GMS) recommendations due to the draft status of provincial initiatives, which could impact how a GMS is conducted and the content of the implementing Official Plan amendment.

    The primary concern in advancing the GMS at this time is a risk of misalignment with the final changes to the Project Methodology Guideline and the standardization of Official Plans under Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026

    Staff will continue technical work, engagement on the GMS, including consideration of the finalized changes to the Projections Methodology Guideline and Official Plan standardization through Bill 98, with the goal of providing the best recommendation for Council consideration in Q1 2027.

  • Province approves OPA 46 with 17 modifications

    Share Province approves OPA 46 with 17 modifications on Facebook Share Province approves OPA 46 with 17 modifications on Twitter Share Province approves OPA 46 with 17 modifications on Linkedin Email Province approves OPA 46 with 17 modifications link

    On April 14, 2026 the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved Amendment No. 46 (OPA 46) to the City of Ottawa Official Plan adopted by By-law 2025-294, subject to 17 modifications. OPA 46 updates the City of Ottawa Official Plan to add policies and mapping related to major transit station areas, strategic growth areas, settlement area boundary expansions (policy only), employment areas, agriculture and cultural heritage resources. The modifications increase densities within some major transit station areas, refine permissions in Employment Areas as defined by the Provincial Planning Statement, and updates policies in relation to agriculture, aggregates, and

    On April 14, 2026 the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved Amendment No. 46 (OPA 46) to the City of Ottawa Official Plan adopted by By-law 2025-294, subject to 17 modifications. OPA 46 updates the City of Ottawa Official Plan to add policies and mapping related to major transit station areas, strategic growth areas, settlement area boundary expansions (policy only), employment areas, agriculture and cultural heritage resources. The modifications increase densities within some major transit station areas, refine permissions in Employment Areas as defined by the Provincial Planning Statement, and updates policies in relation to agriculture, aggregates, and cultural heritage resources. The Minister also modified the growth management section to note the City’s intention to update the growth projections and planning horizon to 2051 through this Official Plan update.

    On April 15, 2026, accompanying his decision on OPA 46, the Minister sent a cover letter to the Mayor and notes the requirement to base new growth forecasts on Ministry of Finance population projections as informed by their Projection Methodology Guideline. The Minister also notes Bill 98 for proposed legislative changes, including new Official Plans or Official Plan updates to comply with a standardized format for land use designations, structure, and mapping. The proposed updates to both the Projection Methodology Guideline and Bill 98 are currently in draft and undergoing consultation.

  • Population, household, and employment projections adopted by Committee and Council

    Share Population, household, and employment projections adopted by Committee and Council on Facebook Share Population, household, and employment projections adopted by Committee and Council on Twitter Share Population, household, and employment projections adopted by Committee and Council on Linkedin Email Population, household, and employment projections adopted by Committee and Council link

    On February 25, 2026 Council adopted the Population, Household, and Employment Forecasts to 2051 prepared by Hemson Consulting as the basis for the growth management strategy.

    On February 25, 2026 Council adopted the Population, Household, and Employment Forecasts to 2051 prepared by Hemson Consulting as the basis for the growth management strategy.

  • The proposed work plan approved by Committee and Council

    Share The proposed work plan approved by Committee and Council on Facebook Share The proposed work plan approved by Committee and Council on Twitter Share The proposed work plan approved by Committee and Council on Linkedin Email The proposed work plan approved by Committee and Council link

    Joint Planning and Housing Committee and Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee, and Council, approved the work plan for the Official Plan update.

    Joint Planning and Housing Committee and Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee, and Council, approved the work plan for the Official Plan update.

Page last updated: 15 May 2026, 04:52 PM