Official Plan

The Official Plan is a policy document that guides the use of land over the next 20 to 30 years. It guides us to where those land uses like residential, commercial, employment, and recreation will go and how they will be connected. It also identifies what we need to protect in our community, such as heritage resources, our environment, and our water resources. Public input shapes the plan to ensure it meets the community's needs.

A new Official Plan is coming

The City of Niagara Falls has been identified as one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Ontario.  We need a new plan to prepare for that growth.

Follow the Our Niagara Falls Plan – Let’s Talk project page and join the conversation.

Current Official Plan

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs approved the Official Plan on October 6, 1993. The document below is the updated version, consolidated as of January 1, 2024:

• Official Plan Document (PDF)

Amendments to the Official Plan

An amendment to the Official Plan may be submitted by a property owner to consider a project that isn't currently considered. The City can also initiate an amendment to be consistent with new Provincial policies or to address city-wide issues.  This process helps the City adapt to new ideas and needs while making sure changes align with the community's long-term goals.

Visit the Official Plan Amendment page for information on how to apply and how long the process will take, or go directly to your City Dashboard account to get started.

City initiated Official Plan amendments

OPA No. 147 (PDF) - (currently under appeal) - Employment Lands, adopted by Council April 18, 2023, pending Ontario Land Tribunal review.

Secondary Plans 

Secondary Plans are part of the Official Plan and provide more detailed policies for specific areas of Niagara Falls.

Visit our Secondary Plans page for more details.

Resources

• Government of Ontario, Citizen’s guide to land use planning – Official Plans