Housing and Official Community Plans

An official community plan (OCP) describes the long term vision of the community. The plan guides the decisions of elected officials and local government staff.

Usually this type of plan outlines how specific areas of the community will be used. For example:

• Residential, commercial, agricultural or industrial uses
• Schools
• Transportation
• Sensitive environmental areas
• Parks
• Infrastructure and services (e.g. water and sewer)

An (OCP) will also include housing policies – for example, housing affordability, rental housing and special needs housing. The OCP may also provide guidance on matters affecting housing affordability, such as public transportation or access to employment.

Official Community Plans and Housing Needs Reports

Municipalities are required to review and update their OCPs and zoning bylaws by December 31, 2025, following the development of the Interim Housing Needs Report, and then by December 31, 2028, within two years, following the completion of the first regular Housing Needs Report.

Municipalities must ensure their OCPs and zoning bylaws permit the number of housing units needed over 20 years, as determined by their Housing Needs Report. This includes statements and map designations for residential development and housing policies related to each class of housing need outlined in the Housing Needs Report. The entire OCP, however, does not need to be updated. Regional districts are not subject to the requirements for OCP and zoning bylaw updates

All local governments are also required to consider their most recent Housing Needs Report, and the housing information on which it is based, when:

• Developing an OCP or regional growth strategy
• Amending an  OCP in relation to housing statements, map designations or policies

To learn more about Housing Needs Reports visit: Housing Needs Reports - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

To learn more about  OCPs visit: Official community plans for local governments - Province of British Columbia

The Ministry of Housing offers assistance for creating regional growth strategies or community plans.

• Official community plans for local governments - Province of British Columbia
• Regional growth strategies for local governments - Province of British Columbia