A line of heritage buildings with trees and apartment buildings in the background

Shaping communities through thoughtful planning

An Official Plan is a document that guides a municipality’s planning objectives and future development. It applies to all land within the Town's municipal boundary and is a legal policy used to shape the future of the community through:

  • promoting efficient use of land and infrastructure
  • supporting development of attractive and liveable communities with different housing options
  • protecting cultural and natural heritage

What does use of the Official Plan look like? 

Our first Official Plan was adopted in 1985 and has been updated (amended) many times since to align with the evolving needs of our community. It has been used to address issues like:

  • where different areas should be located (housing, industry and employment, shopping, parks, schools, conservation and more)
  • what services are need to meet growth, including water supply, sanitary sewers, stormwater management, roadways and transit
  • what parts of the community can grow and how to do so

How do we know what can be built where? 

Orangeville is divided into different land use areas, identified in the map below. Guided by our Official Plan, it provides both the Town and developers, builders and property owners with information on what is or isn't able to be built in that area. For example, some land is reserved for the following types of development:

  • residential
  • commercial
  • industrial
  • open space and conservation

Official Plan review

The Town of Orangeville Official Plan is currently under review. This is part of a regular process undertaken periodically.

Learn more

Meet PIP, our Planning Information Portal 

PIP is an interactive map that identifies the zoning for different areas in Orangeville. It is an important tool for anyone interested in building, expanding or developing in Orangeville.

A clock tower with a cupola in the background and lots of trees

Official Plan review

We are reviewing and updating our Official Plan to align with provincial and Dufferin County planning policies. Any changes made will maintain a focus on the Town’s evolving local growth objectives and community priorities.

Why are we reviewing the Official Plan? 

Under the Planning Act, we are required to update the plan periodically. This makes sure we are able to align with the planning policies mentioned above.

Foundational work of the review was completed in 2015 and 2021. 

What is being reviewed in the plan? 

This review addresses:

  • growth targets
  • intensification requirements
  • updated natural heritage mapping
  • general land use strategies (commercial, industrial and residential)
  • policy review and update 

Project status: phase two

Our Official Plan review process was reinitiated in fall 2025, following the finalization of the Provincial Planning Statement in 2024 and approval of the County of Dufferin Municipal Comprehensive Review (by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (OPA No. 4)).

This work will build on the findings from phase one through a series of meetings held with the community. The purpose of the meetings is to engage with the community—the thoughts, ideas and questions shared will help the project team create recommendations. Those recommendations are what will guide us in developing the draft Official Plan.

Get involved

We would like to hear from you! Our first presentation on the review process will be held during a special council meeting on August 24, 2026 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

Our consultants will present early findings and provide a report summarizing the background and directions for key updates. 

For details on where to attend or how to participate in the meeting, you can click the button below to read our public notice or visit orangeville.ca/Meetings.

Read the Public Notice

When was phase one and what did it cover?

Work on phase one occurred in 2015 and 2021, reviewing the previous update made to the plan in 2009. The review focused on understanding the goals and objectives of Orangeville’s current and future community and made sure it aligned with Ontario and Dufferin County policies.

 

Official Plan review timeline

1 – Kick-off and background review

Spring 2026

  • background research
  • identify opportunities and constraints
  • prepare background strategy papers

Meetings and engagement:

  • Official Plan (OP) Steering Committee meeting # 1 – schedule, objectives and preliminary findings (April – June)
  • stakeholder focus groups # 1 – schedule, project introduction and objectives (April – June)

2 – Directions and recommendations 

Summer/fall 2026

  • further land use and mapping analysis
  • confirm priorities with public
  • draft update recommendations

Meetings and engagement:

  • OP Steering Committee meeting # 2 – key themes and emerging priorities (July)
  • statutory Special Public Meeting of Council – introduction, preliminary findings and early recommendations (August)
  • Public Information Centre 

3 – Draft Official Plan development

Winter 2027

  • draft Official Plan policies and mapping
  • gather feedback on draft material

Meetings and engagement:

  • OP Steering Committee meeting # 3 – recommendations (January)
  • stakeholder focus groups # 2 – recommendations (January)
  • statutory public open house and statutory public meeting – draft OPA (February) 

4 – Final Official Plan presentations/approvals 

Spring 2027

  • finalize Official Plan
  • complete statutory meetings, seek council approval

Meetings and engagement:

  • OP Steering Committee Meeting # 4 – final OPA and mapping (April)
  • stakeholder focus groups # 3 – final OPA and mapping (April)
  • Town council meeting – final approval and adoption (April/May) 

Amendments to the Official Plan

If you are planning a new development, you need to ensure that your proposal aligns with the Official Plan. If not, you will need to apply for an Official Plan Amendment.

Please complete the Official Plan Amendment Application and submit it along with the appropriate fee to Town Hall:

87 Broadway
Orangeville, ON
L9W 1K1

Review the Official Plan Amendment Guide for full details about the application process.