Official Plan

An Official Plan is a forward-looking document that describes the community’s long term vision and sets out related goals and policies for directing land use and development and guiding decision-making by Town Council.

The Plan sets out the criteria to be considered for all development proposals within the Town to promote positive community growth and improvement.

It provides direction related to the location and density of housing, business and industry, tourism and economic development, protection of the natural environment, managing population and growth, planning of roads and infrastructure, the provision of parks and community facilities, urban design and other matters.

All by-laws passed and all public works undertaken by the Town must conform to the Official Plan.

The Town’s current Official Plan was approved in 2004. Under the Planning Act, an Official Plan must be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure that it is consistent with provincial plans and policies. The Town’s Official Plan must also conform with the Simcoe County Official Plan, which received final approval in December 2016.

In addition, the Town wants to ensure that the Official Plan remains reflective of community goals and priorities. Over the past 25 years, the population of Wasaga Beach has more than tripled to reach a 2016 census population of 20,675. About one in three residents arrived after the current Official Plan was prepared.

A renewed community discussion about the future of Wasaga Beach has begun. A new focal point for future community development has emerged from the recently completed Downtown Master Plan. The time is right to continue the momentum of the Downtown Master Plan and pro-actively lead and guide future growth in a new direction for the entire Town.

The Official Plan is the guiding document for land use and development in your community.

It directs where new development will occur, what services will be needed and how they will be provided, and when and in what order parts of your community will grow and change.

Policies of the Official Plan are implemented by a Zoning By-law which regulates the use of land and the form of buildings and structures on each property in the Town.

The Zoning By-law must conform to the Official Plan.