Adopted Official Plan
The community’s vision for growth and development is implemented through an Official Plan which is a land use planning document for the entire municipality. The Official Plan addresses such issues as housing, the natural environment, heritage preservation, employment needs, agriculture, commercial services, tourism, parkland/recreation, servicing and transportation.
The Council of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake adopted a new Official Plan for the municipality in accordance with Section 17 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended.
Help Shape the Future of Niagara-on-the-Lake's Official Plan
Niagara-on-the-Lake is continuing work to shape the community’s future through the update of its Official Plan, a critical document that will guide growth, development, and municipal priorities for the next 25 years and beyond.
How to Get Involved
Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Official Plan Recommendation Report and Next Steps for May Council Adoption
A Recommendation Report (PBDS-26-032) for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Official Plan Update, including information on the delegation, motion, and secondary plans, was presented at the April 28, 2026, Council meeting. The report and minutes are available for review through the April 28, 2026, Council Meeting agenda.
NOTE: The final Draft Official Plan and an updated draft by-law will now be brought forward for adoption at the Council meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Key changes proposed since the April 14, 2026, Committee of the Whole - Planning meeting and April 28, 2026, Council meeting include:
- Updates to parts of the final Draft Official Plan (Sections 2.2.7.2, 2.2.7.3 d) i) and 2.2.7.3 d) iii))
- Removal of the Glendale, St. Davids, Queenston, and Dock Area Secondary Plans from the Final Draft Official Plan
- Secondary Plans will be maintained in the current Official Plan (2017)
- Revise Draft By-law 2026-025 to reflect Council's decisions
Final Draft Official Plan
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has released the final draft Official Plan for Council adoption, which is now available for public review.
In addition to the final draft Official Plan, the public can review an updated comment matrix and a summary of updates made to the final draft Official Plan since the Statutory Public Meeting held on November 25, 2025.
- Final Draft Official Plan
- Comment Matrix
- Summary Table - Official Plan Updates as of November 26, 2025
Updates to the final draft Official Plan include general edits and formatting changes, revisions to site-specific policies, employment areas, secondary plans, definitions, transportation policies, and other refinements based on written submissions and continued consultation.
The final draft Official Plan for Council adoption is scheduled to be presented at a Committee of the Whole - Planning on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Members of the public who wish to speak at the meeting are required to submit a request through the Town's Delegation Form by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026. If you request to delegate on this matter and have previously spoken at a Public Meeting and/or submitted written comments on this proposal, we ask that your delegation focuses on new information and comments during the Committee Meeting.
The Town thanks residents, stakeholders, and community partners for their participation and feedback throughout the Official Plan review process.
Third Draft Official Plan
The third Draft Official Plan is available for review and comment. The third Draft Official Plan was prepared for the Statutory Public Meeting held on November 25, 2025.
Third Draft Official Plan
- Third Redlined Draft Official Plan
- Third Clean Version Draft Official Plan
- Comment Matrix
- Official Plan Sections of Ongoing Review
You can visit the Town's Join the Conversation for more details.
Please note that many comments were received, and we appreciate the input. Site-specific considerations are still under review and may require additional engagement.
Written comments can be directed to Fiona Main, Senior Policy Planner, at fiona.main@notl.com or sent as a letter to the Planning, Building and Development Services Department at planning.development@notl.com.
We Want To Hear From You! Open House Sessions: October 15 and October 16, 2025
| Sessions | Date | Times and Location |
|---|---|---|
| Open House Sessions #1 | Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | Location: Community Centre Auditorium A, B, C Afternoon Session: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Drop-in) Evening Session: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Presentation at 7:00 p.m.) |
| Open House Sessions #2 | Thursday, October 16, 2025 | Location: Centennial Arena - Mary Snider Room Afternoon Session: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Drop-in) Evening Session: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Presentation at 7:00 p.m.) |
Online Survey Results and Open House Public Information Centre Boards
As part of this process, the Town continues to seek community input through a survey and Public Information Centres, an opportunity for participants to help foster a vibrant, sustainable, and welcoming future.
- View Online Survey Results: See the survey results on the Town's Join the Conversation engagement platform at www.jointheconversationnotl.org/officialplan
View Public Engagement Summary, to Date:
Survey Results Infographic Public Information Centre and Survey Results
View Open House Public Information Centre boards:
Open House Engagement April 2025 Public Information Centre Presentation
- Stay Updated: Follow Niagara-on-the-Lake on social media and visit www.jointheconversationnotl.org/officialplan for project updates.
The Town looks forward to hearing your feedback about the updated Official Plan.
Official Plan Update
In December 2024, and February 2025, Council received reports outlining the work plan for the Official Plan Update, to finalize the Adopted Official Plan 2019, to bring it into conformity with the approved 2022 Niagara Official Plan, the 2024 Provincial Planning Statement and other relevant policies and legislation.