Vancouver Official Development Plan

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• Future area planning

  Future area planning will be guided by the ODP's Urban Structure Strategy PDF file (80 MB), so that development supports the ODP’s vision and reflects each area's unique context, needs, and priorities. 

  The Urban Structure Strategy is a long-term (50 to 100 years) land use vision that shapes future policy and planning. It identifies neighbourhood types across Vancouver to show how different areas may change over time.

  Area plans

  Area plans provide detailed directions for different parts of the city, including:

  • Land use 
  • Building forms 
  • Public spaces 
  • Amenities, and more 

  Learn about the neighbourhood types and review the Urban Structure Strategy PDF file (80 MB)

• Rezoning decisions

  The ODP provides high-level guidance for land use decisions through Generalized Land Use (GLU) designations PDF file (80 MB). Under the Vancouver Charter, development must be consistent with the ODP.

  Generalized Land Use (GLU) map

  The GLU map is a high-level city-wide map that shows:  

  • Land use designations (what can be built where)
  • Maximum development potential (how much can be developed on each parcel of land)

  Note Rezoning applications not consistent with the ODP will require an ODP amendment application. Not all ODP amendments will be approved. Review a list of ODP amendments

  Public hearings and the ODP

  Under provincial legislation, we are not allowed to hold public hearings for projects that are consistent with the ODP and have at least 50% residential floor area. This helps speed up approvals for much needed housing. All other rezoning engagement processes will continue. Learn more about Bill 18

• Assets and servicing growth 

  The ODP helps guide long-term investment, so growth is matched with infrastructure in:  

  • Water 
  • Sewer 
  • Parks 
  • Transportation systems 

Foundational principles

The Vancouver ODP is grounded in 3 Foundational Principles PDF file (80 MB) of:

• Reconciliation
• Equity
• Resilience

3 Big Ideas that shape the vision of the Vancouver ODP

Review the the 3 Big Ideas in more detail PDF file (80 MB)

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• Equitable housing and complete neighbourhoods 

  • Allowing more housing options and opportunities for everyone to choose a livable neighbourhood that meets their needs.  
  • Making sure all neighbourhoods have the things that matter most. 

• An economy that works for all

  • Protecting and expanding areas for business and employment.  
  • Adding more job space to neighbourhoods. 
  • Advancing accessible and equitable economic opportunities. 
  • Making sure a mix of housing, jobs, shops, and services are close to rapid transit. 

• Climate protection and restored ecosystems

  • Creating streets for people to move around by walking, rolling, biking, and taking transit. 
  • Supporting building methods that reduce energy consumption. 
  • Protecting and making space for nature.

The Regional Context Statement [Appendix A of the Vancouver ODP PDF file (104 MB)] demonstrates how the Vancouver ODP supports the goals, strategies, and actions identified in the Metro Vancouver's regional growth strategy, titled “Metro 2050: Regional Growth Strategy" External website, opens in new tab (Metro 2050).

Metro 2050 was adopted on February 24, 2023, and reflects the region’s collective vision of how housing, job growth, and population will be managed over the next 30 years.

We have updated the Regional Context Statement to align with the new goals, strategies, and actions set out in Metro 2050.

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• About Metro 2050

  Metro Vancouver's Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) is organized along 5 key inter-connected goals that provide a sustainability framework to accommodate the additional estimated 1 million people and almost 500,000 jobs that are expected in the region by 2050.

  The RGS goals are:

  • Create a compact urban area
  • Support a sustainable economy
  • Protect the environment, address climate change, and respond to natural hazards
  • Provide diverse and affordable housing choices
  • Support sustainable transportation choices

• Previous development decisions 

  Regional Context Statement

  • March 31, 2026 – Council adopted the Regional Context Statement as part of the Vancouver Official Development Plan.
  • March 27, 2026 – The Metro Vancouver Board has accepted the City of Vancouver Regional Context Statement. Review the referred and accepted Regional Context Statement External website, opens in new tab
  • March 11, 2026 – The Regional Context Statement was presented to City Council at a public hearing. All policies included in the RCS were approved by City Council and referred to the Metro Vancouver Board for acceptance.

  Metro 2050: Regional Growth Strategy

  • February 2023 – Metro Vancouver adopted the Metro 2050 Regional Growth Strategy PDF file (23.9 MB).
  • June 2022 – City Council accepted the proposed Metro 2050 Regional Growth Strategy (Metro Vancouver Regional District Regional Growth Strategy By-law No. 1339, 2022). PDF file (60 MB).
  • April 29, 2022 – The Metro Vancouver Board referred the RGS Bylaw to affected local governments for acceptance by resolution. 
  • November 2021 – City Council has endorsed City Comments on the Draft Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Metro 2050 PDF file (119 KB), and conveyed appreciation to Metro Vancouver for the work to develop a new updated Regional Growth Strategy.
  • June 2021 – Metro Vancouver has released a draft of the updated regional growth strategy, Metro 2050. The update is being done to consider significant drivers of change, integrate with Transport 2050 External link icon, and implement policy improvements. 

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• Creating the ODP

  Provincial legislation required the City of Vancouver to have a city-wide ODP by June 2026. A lot of the work to create the ODP was done for the Vancouver Plan, a city-wide land use framework approved by Council in 2022 after years of engagement with: 

  • Residents 
  • Equity-denied groups 
  • Businesses  
  • Community organizations  

  To develop the Vancouver ODP, staff took all the content of the Vancouver Plan and: 

  • Added only necessary information to satisfy provincial legislation 
  • Made updates to reflect new Council direction since the Vancouver Plan was approved 
  • Made minor updates to improve clarity 

• Consultation

  The Vancouver Plan had 4 extensive phases of public engagement. 

  Building on Vancouver Plan, consultation for the Vancouver ODP focused on the outstanding technical and administrative content added to the ODP.  

  Targeted consultation began in 2024 with public engagement taking place in fall of 2025. Additional updates were made in response to consultation with: 

  • The local Nations 
  • The public 
  • Neighbouring cities 
  • Government agencies 
  • Other targeted stakeholder groups 

  Review a summary of this consultation

• Next steps

  The ODP will be reviewed in 2030 and every 5 years after to make sure it continues to respond to:

  • Emerging challenges
  • Housing needs
  • Community priorities

  We will provide updates as the implementation of the Vancouver ODP progresses.