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
Second Draft Official Plan
The second Draft Official Plan is available for review and comment. This Draft focuses on additional updates based on comments received since the release of the first Draft Official Plan, including updated draft schedules. This Draft continues to focus on the Official Plan theme areas of Growth Management, Housing, Employment/Economy, Climate Change, Natural Environment, Cultural Heritage, Agriculture, Indigenous Engagement, Transportation/Infrastructure, and Urban Design.
The draft Official Plan is still open for feedback, and Town Staff welcome any additional feedback. For continued review, Staff have prepared a redlined version of the changes made, as well as a clean version of the document with the changes incorporated.
Please find the second Draft Official Plan using the links below:
You can visit www.jointheconversationnotl.org/officialplan 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. Any additional changes will be implemented in the final draft to be presented at the future Public Meeting.
Written comments can be directed to Fiona Main, Senior Policy Planner, at fiona.main@notl.com or sent as a letter to the Community and Development Services Department at planning.development@notl.com.
We Want To Hear From You! Open House Sessions: October 15 and October 16, 2025
| 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.