Regional Official Plan
The Regional Official Plan is the long-range, community planning document that is used to guide the physical, economic and social development of the Regional Municipality of Niagara. Generally, it contains objectives, policies and mapping that implement the Regions approach to managing growth, growing the economy, protecting the natural environment, resources and agricultural land, and providing infrastructure.
The Regional Official Plan must also implement the:
- Niagara Escarpment Plan (2017)
- Provincial Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2017)
- Provincial Policy Statement (2014)
- Greenbelt Plan (2017)
Regional Official Plan – Five Year Review
Section 26 of the Planning Act requires that Niagara Region update its Official Plan every five years to ensure it aligns with Provincial legislation and interests.
The Niagara Region initiated a five year review in 2013, under a campaign titled “Imagine Niagara”. This campaign concluded in 2014 and received the “Communications / Public Education” award by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) in 2015.
Creating a new Regional Official Plan
2014 Consolidated Regional Official Plan
- Imagine Niagara
- Growing the Economy
- Employment
- Managing Growth
- Rural and Agriculture
- Resources
- Natural Environment
- Infrastructure
- Transportation
- Creative Niagara
- Housing and Community Services
- Engagement
- Site Specific Policies with Maps
- Implementation
- Definitions
Regional Official Plan Schedules
- Schedule A - Regional Structure
- Schedule B - Agricultural Land Base
- Schedule C - Core Natural Heritage
- Schedule D1 - Potential Resource Areas: Stone
- Schedule D2 - Potential Resource Areas: Sand and Gravel
- Schedule D3 - Potential Resource Areas: Peat and Petroleum
- Schedule D4 - Mineral Resources
- Schedule E - Niagara Region Bicycle Network
- Schedule F - The Twenty Valley / Jordan Harbour Tourism Area
- Schedule G1 - Niagara Economic Gateway
- Schedule G2 - Niagara Economic Gateway Employment Lands
- Schedule H - Source Water Protection
To request information in a different format, contact us.
Amendments to the Regional Official Plan
The Regional Plan is amended from time to time to update policies and mapping, and to facilitate individual development applications.
Visit the Regional Official Plan Amendments page to see a list of recent and ongoing amendments to the plan.
To propose an amendment to Niagara’s Regional Official Plan, complete the application form and contact:
Planning and Development Services Department
1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way
Thorold ON L2V 4T7
905-980-6000
Email the Planning and Development Services Department
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
