Citizen’s guide to land use planning
Learn about the rules and processes municipalities follow for community development and growth in Ontario.
Provincial Planning Statement, 2024
Ontario has released a new streamlined provincial planning document that will replace the Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 and A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe 2019, as amended in 2020.
Learn more about Provincial Planning Statement, 2024, which comes into effect on October 20, 2024.
Some parts of this guide may not accurately reflect recent changes to land use planning rules introduced under:
We are working to update the guide to include these changes.
Overview
Land use planning helps municipalities manage land and resources and guides decisions about where:
- to build homes and factories
- to put parks and schools
- roads, sewers and other essential services are needed
Land use planning helps each community to set development goals while keeping social, economic and environmental factors in mind. It also balances the interests of individual property owners with the wider interests of the whole community.
Read this guide to learn more about land use planning, including the Planning Act, official plans, and zoning bylaws. This guide is for information only and offers a summary of legislation and policies that are subject to change. It is not a legal interpretation of the Planning Act or any other act.
How you can find out more
For more information about land use planning in your community, contact your municipality.
For more information about land use planning in Ontario, contact your nearest Municipal Services Office.
This guide was produced by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Provincial Planning Policy Branch,